Northern Italy Flashcards
What is the climate of Alto-Adige?
Moderate climate with short, dry summers and low rainfall.
What is the key grape variety for Alto-Adige?
Pinot Grigio
Where are the grapes planted in Alto-Adige?
Terraces on the South East and South West of the river valley (R. Adige)
What is the climate of Trentino?
Moderate climate with short dry summers with low rainfall.
Give 3 reasons why Trentino is warmer than Alto-Adige.
More southerly
More vineyards at lower altitude
Mountains protect region from cooling Lake Garda
Where are the vines planted in Trentino?
On the wider valley floor as well as the valley slopes.
What is the key grape variety for Trentino?
Pinot Grigio
Compare Pinot Grigio from Trentino’s valley floor to Alto Adige
Many of Trentino’s wines are made on the warmer valley floor so grapes are riper than in Alto Adige.
Trentino: dry, medium body, medium acidity, ripe stone fruit
Alto Adige: dry, light to medium body, high acidity, citrus and green fruit
Where in Italy is Friuli-Venezia Giulia?
North Eastern corner of Italy.
Friuli-Venezia Giulia can be thought of as two different regions. Highlight the two and their differences.
Fruili Grave DOC: flat plain, warm Mediterranean climate, simple fruity style
Collio DOC/ Collio Orientali DOC: alpine foothills, cooled by cold mountain air, moderate continental, premium concentrated wines
Describe a Pinot Grigio from Friuli-Venezia Giulia.
Medium to full body with peach and tropical fruit flavours.
What is the climate of Veneto?
Warm with moderate rainfall.
Cooling influences in the northern foothills come from:
Altitude
High diurnal temperatures
Evening cooling off the Alps
Higher acidity
Breezes off Lake Garda
Climate issues in the Southern flat plain:
Moist air & fog off the River Po.
Increased risk of rot, more spraying
What are the two important sub-regions of Veneto that have different climates in the Northern foothills versus Southern plains?
Soave & Valpolicella
What is the key grape variety in Soave DOC?
Garganega
A white wine from Veneto with medium to high acidity, medium body & aromas of pears, red apple, stone fruit & white pepper is?
Soave DOC or Soave Classico DOC
Compare the region and wines of Soave DOC to Soave Classico DOC
Soave DOC: flat plain, sandy alluvial soils aid ripening, fruity with medium acidity
Soave Classico DOC: alpine foothills, cooling limestone and clay soils with volcanic rocks, wines can age developing honey and almonds
What is the key grape variety in Valpolicella DOC?
Corvina
Compare the region of Valpolicella DOC to Valpolicella Classico DOC.
Valpolicella DOC: flat plain, gravel and sand soils aid ripening
Valpolicella Classico DOC: alpine foothill, cooling limestone and clay soils with some volcanic soils
Describe a typical Valpolicella DOC or Valpolicella Classico DOC.
Simple & fruity
Light tannins
Red cherry flavours
Rarely oaked
Drink young
What is the name of the method used widely in Veneto to increase structure, flavours & colour (for red wines)?
Passito
How is Passito carried out?
Grapes are picked early, so naturally high in acidity.
Dried indoors to concentrate flavours and sugars.
Fermented later during winter.