Northern Italy Flashcards
Where is Piedmont and what is its climate?
Piedmont is in the northwest corner of Italy.
Its climate is moderate Continental.
What are the primary black/red grapes used in Piedmont?
Nebbiolo
Barbera (most planted)
Dolcetto
What are the 2 primary white grapes in Piedmont?
Moscato (most planted)
Cortese
What are the 2 most important red DOCGs of Piedmont?
Barolo DOCG
Barbaresco DOCG
What is the only red grape allowed in Barolo and Barbaresco?
Nebbiolo
What is the aging requirement for Barolo and Barbaresco?
Barolo
3 years of aging, 18 months of which have to be in oak
Barbaresco
2 years, 9 months of which must be in oak
If a bottle of Barolo has just “Barolo” on it, where can the grapes come from that go into that wine?
The grapes can come from any of the several villages that make up the Barolo DOCG.
If the grapes for a Barolo come from just one village or just one vineyard, what appears on the label?
You’ll see Barolo + name of village (e.g. Serralunga d’Alba, La Morra) or Barolo + name of cru (e.g. Villero, Francia).
Is Nebbiolo an early or late ripener?
Colour
Nebbiolo is a late ripener.
Note the pale color (Nebbiolo is thin skinned but packed with tannins and acidity)
What is the first red grape to ripen in Piedmont?
Colour
Dolcetto
Note the purple color
What is the white grape in Gavi DOCG?
100% Cortese
Which mountains create a rain shadow in Piedmont, protecting the region from northern winds?
The Alps
What are the weather threats in Piedmont?
summertime hail
fog, which can lead to underripe grapes or rot
Are there any IGPs or IGTs in Piedmont?
No, Piedmont has only DOCs and DOCGs.
What is the altitude range for vineyards in Barolo?
Which direction do the most important vineyards in Barolo face?
300-500m
Most vineyards in Barolo face south.
What is the altitude range for vineyards in Barbaresco?
200-400m
Lower altitude means Nebbiolo ripens earlier in Barbaresco, making Barbaresco usually a bit fruitier than traditional Barolo.
Which DOCG can be on a wine if the Cortese grapes only come from the village of Gavi itself?
Gavi di Gavi DOCG
Light body, high acid, citrus, pear/apple aromas
Barbera d’Alba is a DO__.
Barbera d’Asti is a DO__.
Barbera d’Alba DOC
Barbera d’Asti DOCG
Which Dolcetto DOC is generally viewed as the one making better Dolcetto?
Dolcetto d’Alba DOC
Veneto lies on what sea?
The Adriatic
Venice is in the eastern part of the Veneto.
What lake is on Veneto’s western border?
How does this lake influence the winegrowing area around it?
Lake Garda
Breezes off the lake cool down vineyards in the western portion of the Veneto.
What is the main red grape in Valpolicella DOC and Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG?
Corvina
It has a profile of sour cherry and high acidity.
Grapes grown on the valley floor in Valpolicella use which DOC?
Grapes grown in the foothills of Valpolicella use which DOC?
Valley floor: Valpolicella DOC
Foothills: Valpolicella Classico DOC