Northern Italy Flashcards
There are 5 key wine regions in Northern Italy, can you name them?
Alto Adige, Trentino, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Veneto and Piemonte.
Which mountain range and river borders Northern Italy?
The Alps and the River Po.
Local rivers and glacial lakes such as Lake Garda provide what for grape growing regions?
They are a moderating influence to the inland areas.
Areas close to the sea experience higher rainfall, which seas are they and what problems could this cause?
The Adriatic Sea (to the East) and the Tyrrhenian Sea (West Coast). This could cause fungal diseases in the vineyard.
Higher density plantings are commonly using the VSP system in Northern Italy, but which training system are they using for high acid/low sugar grapes and why?
The Pergola system. The leaf canopy that sits horizontally above the grapes protects them from sunburn, and also it allows air to circulate around the grapes to prevent disease and rot. Good for sparkling wine.
What is the most Northern wine region in Italy? What style of wine is it most known for?
Alto Adige region. It has a high diurnal range which makes it suitable for the production of aromatic whites and light bodied reds. Pinot Grigio is the most notable for whites and Schiava dominates reds.
What grape varieties are important in Trentino? What do the slopes either side of its valley floor protect the region from?
Trentino is located just South of Alto Adige. It has plantings of vines all across its valley floor, and the slopes either side of the valley protecting it from Lake Garda. Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Merlot and Teroldego are grown here. Teroldego is deep, tannic, high acid, black fruit and can age.
Friuli-Venezia Giulia is located in the North East of Italy. What mountain range will you find in the North of the region, and which sea influences the South?
The Alps mountain range. The Adriatic Sea, which helps produce a warm maritime climate compared to the cool continental in the North due to the Alps.
A large variety of grapes are grown in the region, but what white and red dominate?
Pinot Grigio (some of the fullest/ripest in Italy) and Merlot.
Which Italian region is responsible for producing Soave and Valpolicella?
Veneto. Surrounded by the Alps in the North, Lake Garda in the West, Venice in the East. Large region.
Which grape variety is used to produce Soave wine? What style does it produce typically?
Garganega. Wine are medium to high acid, medium body with pears, stone fruit, red apples, white pepper with the ability to develop honey aromas. No new oak.
Which grape variety produces Valpolicella and what style is it made in?
Corvina. Wines are often low tannin high acid wines with simple fruity aromas of cherry. rarely oaked and made to drink young.
What are the 4 quality levels for Italian wine? Rank them 1st to 4th with 1st being the highest quality.
1) DOCG
2) DOC
3) IGP/IGT
4) Vino/Vino di Tavola (VDT)
What do the traditional labelling terms stand for:
Classico:
Superiore:
Riserva
Classico: Wines made exclusively from grapes grown within a defined historical area of a DOC or DOCG
Superiore: Wines with a higher minimum alcohol level, typically an additional 0.5% abv.
Riserva: Wines submitted to a certain ageing period, at least two years for red wines and one year for white wines. Some individual DOC/DOCG specify that this ageing or part of it must be in oak.
Where in Italy is Piemonte? What are the regions most planted grape varieties (5 are listed)?
North West of Italy. Barbera, Moscato Bianco, Dolcetto, Nebbiolo, Cortese
The best Barolo DOCG sites are found on South facing slopes in Piemonte. What grape variety is used for Barolo DOCG and what ageing requirements are there for DOCG and Riserva wines?
Nebbiolo is used for Barolo DOCG. Wines must be aged for 3 years (18 months in oak) or 5 years (18 months in oak) for Barolo Riserva.
Which DOCG region is 1/3 size of Barolo, slightly warmer which can result in riper wine styles, must be aged for minimum 2 years, Riserva 4 years and has Maximum yield of 56 hL/ha?
Barbaresco DOCG
What grape variety is predominantly used for Gattinara and Ghemme DOCG?
Nebbiolo
Barbera is a high acid low tannin wine. Which region is it especially planted in?
Barbera d’Asti DOCG. It is also grown in Piemonte and Nizza DOCG is known for high quality Barbera.
What grape variety is Gavi DOCG made from? What style is it?
100% Cortese. High acid wine with lemon and apple characters usually made in stainless steel.
Is Trentino better known for red or whites? What are the top 2 plantings?
White wines. Pinot Grigio and Chardonnay are the most planted grape varieties. It has Alpine influences which help cool summer nights to retain acidity.
Teroldego, Lagrein and Marzemino are all local red varieties of which region?
Trentino.
Which region has altitudes of 300-700m, 300 days of sunshine a year and has Schiava as its most planted grape variety?
Alto-Adige. Schiava is most planted, but international white varieties are also important such as Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Gewurtztraminer and Pinot Bianco.
CollioDOC and Collio Orientali del Friuli DOC are the most important DOC’s for which region? Are they red or white wines?
Friuli. White wines predominantly made from Friulano, Ribolla Gialla, Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay.
What acidity level and flavour characteristics sdoes Ribollo Gialla have?
High acidity, with notes of citrus and pepper.
What is Northern Italy’s biggest producing wine region? Which grape variety is most grown?
Veneto. Glera most planted for the production of Prosecco.
What style of wine is made in Recioto di Soave DOCG?
Sweet wines made from Garganega, produced from semi dried grapes.
What are the 3 most important grape varieties for Valpolicella wines?
Corvina Veronese (low tannin, high acid, fruity/violet), Corvinone (high tannin, red cherry) and Rondinella (productive variety, simple cherry flavour).
There are 5 different PDO’s for Valpolicella. Can you name them?
Valpolicella DOC Valpolicella Classico DOC Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG Valpolicella Ripasso DOC Recioto della Valpolicella DOCG (sweet red)
