NORTHERN ITALY Flashcards
What does DOC mean in Italy?
Denominazione di Origine Controllata
What does DOCG mean in Italy?
Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita
If you could explain and differentiate between DOC and DOCG how would you explain the 2.
DOC adheres to strict rules and restrictions on varietals and production.
DOCG adheres to stricter rules, and regulations of varietals and production than DOC. DOCG wines are of higher quality than DOC.
What does IGT/IGP stand for in Italy? What do they mean?
Indicazione Geografica Tipica, Indicazione Geografica Protteta.
They have less restrictions on production, varietals than DOC/DOCG
What does Classico mean in Italy?
The grapes are grown and processed within their historical production zone
What does Riserva mean in Italy?
Higher alcohol levels and aging requirements
What are the DOC/DOCG regions in Veneto?
Alto Adige, Trentino, Valpolicella, Soave, Friuli-Venezia-Giulia (FVG)
What is the large DOC called in Veneto?
Pinot Grigio delle Venezie DOC
What are the main grapes grown in Alto Adige? (2)
Pinot Grigio, Schiava (r)
What are the main grapes grown in Trentino? (3)
Pinot Grigio, Teroldego (r), Merlot
What are the main grapes grown in Valpolicella? (1)
Corvina
What are the flavour characteristics of Valpolicella?
Red fruit, high acidity, simple + made to drink immediately
What are the different styles produced of Corvina in Valpolicella? Explain them.
Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG, Recioto della Valpolicella DOCG
Amarone: Dry/Off-dry style red wine, full body high alcohol achieved through Passito method in production.
Recioto: Sweet red wine produced from Passito method, the grapes are dried longer and fermentation naturally stops in the wine making process.
What is the Passito method?
Grapes are picked early when they have high acidity, then dried on straw beds (3 months) to concentrate sugars and evaporate water. Then yeast fermentation occurs.
What is the Ripasso method?
Amarone wine is taken from vessel and the Passito grape skins are left in the vessel, Valpolicella wine is added and a new fermentation begins (re-pass the grapes to another batch).
What is the difference between Amarone and Recioto?
Recioto grapes are dried longer, wines are made in a sweet style. The grapes have such high levels of sugar that yeast fermentation stops naturally,
What is grown in Soave?
Soave is known for white wines from Garganega
What are 2 DOC’s located in Friuli-Grave? What are they known for?
Collio DOC (premium white from P.G)
Colli Orientali DOC (reds)
What are the main growing challenges of Piemonte?
Summers are subject to fog, thunderstorms and hail.
What is the climate like in Piemonte? What are the altitudes?
Moderate, Continental, 150-600M
What are the main red grapes grown in Piemonte? (3)
Nebbiolo, Barbera, Dolcetto
What are the main white grapes grown in Piemonte? (2)
Cortese, Moscato
What is the altitude level in Barolo?
300-500M foothills
What are the main DOC/DOCG regions in Piemonte? (5)
Barolo DOCG, Barbaresco DOCG, Gavi DOCG, Asti DOC, Alba DOC
What is grown in Barolo DOCG? What are the qualities? What is its potential?
Premium Nebbiolo, high alcohol, acidity, tannin, light colour. Lots of aging potential from high alcohol, acid, and tannin.
What are the aging requirements of a Barolo DOCG?
3 years, 2M minimum, 18M in wood
What are the aging requirements of a Barbaresco DOCG?
2 years, 2M minimum, 9M in wood
What are the altitude levels in Barbareco DOCG?
200-400M above sea level
Which one is more premium, Barolo or Barbaresco?
Barolo is more premium, Barbaresco ripens earlier from lower altitude growing area, creating simpler, less complex wines than Barolo.
What are the 2 main grapes in Asti and Alba?
Barbera & Dolcetto
Which one ripens the earliest, Nebbiolo, Barbera or Dolcetto?
Dolcetto ripens the earliest, creating more entry-level/ high production wines
