Northern Italy Flashcards
Explain the PDO wines of Italy
PDO
- Denominazione di Origine Protetta (DOP)
- Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC)
- subject to geographical boundaries, grape varieties and production methods limitation
Denominazione di Origine Controllata et Garantita (DOCG)
in addition to DOC requirements, must meet stricter regulations and in most case be bottled within are of production
Explain PGI wines of Italy
PGI
Indicazione Geografica Protetta (IGP)
Traditional term
Indicazione Geografica Tipica (IGT)
Name and define the two specific labelling terms in italy ?
Classico
The boundaries of a number of appellations have expanded over time. Classico acknowledges wines that have been made solely from te oriinal classified land and includes many of the best wines from the are
Riserva
Acknowledges wines with both higher alcohol levels and longer ageing than the minimums stipulated by the appellations law.
Name the four regions of Northern Italy
Trentino - Alto Adige
Friuli-Venezia Giulia
Veneto
Piemonte
Describe the geography and climate of Northern Italy
Generally moderate climate
Dry short summers
Located on the hillsides in the foothills of the Alps and of the plains of Rivers
What are the factors influencing the climate of the vineyards in Northern Italy?
Alps create a barrier and shelter the vineyards from rain
Local rivers and glacial lakes (lake garde) provide a moderating influence to inland areas
Areas closer to the see can have higher level of rainfalls , higher risk of fungal diseases
What are the climate hazard of Northern italy ?
High levels of rainfall in the areas closer to the sea
What is the tradionnal treillising system of Northern Italy ?
Pergola System
- For high yielding at low densities
- Vine canopy are trained high, fruit haning down below a horizontal canopy of leaves
- Protected the grapes from sunburn as allowing air to circulate, minimising the risk of rot
Pergolas are still used for which style of wine ?
When you need high acidity and low sugar such as for sparkling wine
when you need dried grapes, free from damange and disease
What is the more common treillising system in Northern italy now ?
Higher density plantings using VSP training
What is Italy most northerly region ?
Alto Adige
What is the climate of Alto Adige ?
moderate climate
short dry summers
Low rainfall during growing season
Large diuranl range due to altitude,
Ideal for aromatic white and elegeant light bodied reds
Where are located the vinyeards of Alto Adige?
On terraces on the south-east and sout-west facing valley sides of River Adige
What is the most notable white wine of Alto Adige ?
Pinot Grigio
Describe the characteristics of Pinot Grigio of Alto Adige
dry style
light to medium body
high acidity
citru and green fruit flavours
Name the grape varieties grown in Alto Adige
White varieties
Pinot Grigio
Gewurztraminer
Chardonnay
Pinot blanc
Blakc varieties
Schiava (italian grapes, produicing light fruity wines)
How are labelled almost all wines of Alto Adige ?
Alto Adige DOC
Where is located Trentino?
In northern Italy,
South of Alto Adige
on both sides of the River Adige
What is the climate of Trentino?
Dry summers and low rainfall, but overall , slightly warmer climate than Alto Adige(which is moderate).
Due to more southerly latitude, mountains to the west wide protecting from the cooling influences of lake Garda
What are the main varieties of Trentino ?
Pinot Grigio
Chardonnay
How does the location of the vineyards affects the characteristics of the wines in trentino?
Valley floor : medium bodied, medium acidity, ripe stone fruit flavours
Higher altitudes : Similar to the whites from Alto Adige (light medium body, high acidity, citrus and green fruits)
What black grape varieties are grown in Trentino?
Merlot and Teroldego
The latter is deep coloured, medium - high tannins, high acidity, medium to full body with aromas of black fruit
The wines are often matured in oak
How are labelled almost all wines of Trentino ?
Trentino DOC
Where is located Friuli-Venezi Giulia?
Northern Italy eastern corner
What is the climate of Friuli-Venezia Giulia ?
In the foothills of the Alps
- Moderate and continental
- Cooled by cold air from the mountains (alps)
In the plain near the Adriatic sea
- Warm maritime climate
What is the most prevalent grapes in Friuli Venezia Giulia ?
**Pinot Grigio **
Merlot
What are the characteristics of Friuli Venezia Giulia Pinot Grigio?
some of the richest pinot grigio in italy
medium to full bodied wines
juicy peachc and tropical fruit flavours
What other styles of wine a produced in Friuli Venezia Giulia ?
Merlot with medium body, medium acidity and ripe red fruit flavours with spices from oak
Friulano: white wines, medium to high acidity, aromas of pear, appel and herbs
Orange wines are traditional to the area and have premium examples
How are labelled the wines from the plain of Friuli Venezia Giulia ?
Friuli Grave DOC
What are the DOC regions located in the hills of Friuli Venezia Giulia that are known fore premium more concentrated wines ?
Collio DOC
Colli Orientali DOC
What region of Northern Italy is one of the largest win producing region of italy?
Veneto
What are the two best wines of Veneto ?
Soave
Valpolicella
Where is located Veneto ?
Norther Italy
From the southern end of lake garda to venice in the east, ranges from the foothills of the Alps to the flat plains in the south
What is the climat of Veneto?
warm with moderate rainfall
Cooling influences from altitude, exposing the vineyards in the foothills to large diurnal temperature ranges
Breezes from Lake garda cool the vineyards in the west
Flat plain is affected by moist air and fogs from river increasing the use of sprays
What are the grape varieties and the styles on wine from the flat plain of Veneto ?
Inexpensive high volume brends
Pinot Grigio
Chardonnay
merlot and italian grapes like Corvina, Garganega(white)and Trebbiano(white)
What are labelled the inexpensive wines of Veneto ?
Veneto IGT
What is the label that covers Veneto, Friuli-Venezia Giulia and Trentino ?
Pinot Grigio delle Venezie DOC
From where are grown the majority of Prosecco in Northern Italy ?
Veneto
altough can also be produced in Friuli-Venezia Giulia
Where is located Soave ?
East of Verona, south of Trentino.
Describe the 2 distinct areas of Soave.
Northern foothills
- soils are limestone, clay, and some volcanic rock
- grapes ripen slowly due to altitude
- resulting wines have higher acidity and can age
Southern flat plain
- soils are sandy and alluvial
- grapes ripen faster
- resulting wines are fruitier and are meant to be drunk young
What is the main grape variety of Soave ?
white grape Garganega
What are the characteristics of Garganega?
Can be blend with other white grape varieties
Medium to high acidity, medium body, aromas of pears, red apple, stone fruit, white pepper
No typical use of oak
Best examples can age, almonds and honey
What are the most used labelling terms in Soave ?
Soave DOCfor the entire region
Soave Classico DOC when using grapes solely from the og classified area
Where is located Valpolicella?
Just west of Soave
Describe the winegrowing area of Valpolicella ?
Similar to Soave
Northern foothills
- soils are limestone, clay, and some volcanic rock
- grapes ripen slowly due to cool soils
- resulting wines have higher acidity and can age
Southern flat plain
- soils are sand and gravel, which is warmer
- grapes ripen faster
- resulting wines are fruitier and are meant to be drunk young
What is the main grape of Valpolicella ?
black grapeCorvina
native to the region
Describe the characteristics of Corvina in valpolicella?
Moderate colour, low to medium tannins, high acidity
display red cherry flavours , rarely oaked, made to drink immediately
Other grape varieties can be added to the blend
What are the labelling terms used in Valpolicella ?
Valpolicella DOC (grapes from entire region)
Valpolicella Classico DOC ( Grapes from OG classified areas)
What is the Passito method ?
Used in Veneto to increase structure, flavour and colour concentration in the case of red wine
The grapes are picked early when high in acidity, and are dried indoors
Results in concentrated sugars and flavours
The fermentation goes underway in the winter month
What are the two styles of passito wine in Valpolicella ?
Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG
- dry or off-dry, full bodied, high alcohol, medium - high tannins, concentrated red berry and spice flavours, agesd in large oak casks
Recioto della Valpolicella DOCG
- So sweet the fermentation stops naturally.
- Intense red fruit flavours, medium to hih alcohol, full body and medium to high tannins
What is the region and the DOCG producing white wine from the passito method ?
In Soave
Recioto di Soave DOCG
What is the Ripasso method ?
- Uses grape skins from a fermenting Amarone della Valpolicella
- Shortly before fermentation finishes, Amarone is drained off the skins
- Valpocilla wine that has finished its fermentation nis added to the at of unpressed skins
- Remaining sugar on the unpressed amarone grape skins is fermented by yeast present on the grape skins, giving more colour, flavours and tannins to the Valpolicella wine.
How is labelled Ripasso wine in Veneto ?
Describe the characteristics of the wine
Valpolicella Ripasso DOC
Medium to full bodied
Medium to high tannins and flavours of stewed red cherries and plums
Where is Piemonte located ?
North west corner of Italy
What is the climate of Piemonte and the factors influencing it ?
Moderate continental
long cold winters and summers
Mountains provide a rain shadow, protecting region from northern winds and precipitation
Altitude from 150 to 600 meters
What are the climatic hazards of Piemonte?
Thunderstorms, hail and fog
What are the main grape varieties of Piemonte?
Black varieties
- Nebbiolo
- Barbera
- Dolcetto
White varieties
- Cortese
What are the most famous annd prestigious wine areas of Piemonte, south of turin ?
Barolo DOCG
Barbaresco DOCG
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.
Barolo DOCG is made from what grape ?
Made entirely from Nebbiolo
Describe the characteristics of Nebbiolo grape from Barolo
high aacidity, high tannins
little colour
Ripens slowly at theses altitudes developing perfumed aromas of sour cherries, herbs , dried flowers
Best yearss, wines are full bodied, high acidity and tannins, and can develop in bottle
Explain the labelling of Barolo DOCG
Grapes sourced from different village
Name of a village may appear if source from one village Ex. Barolo Serralunga d’Alba DOCG
Best wines come from named vineyards or crus, wich may appear on the label such as Barolo Cannubi DOCG
Explain the regulations of Barolo DOCG
Must be aged for minimum 28 months, with a minimum of 18 months in wood
Can be released from the January of the fourth year after harvest.
Traditionally aged in large oak barrels
Now, improvements in vineyard and gentler extractiom method mean that producers can mature for shorter periods of time
Oak maturation in small barells (new oak) or larger casks dependin on the style
Barolo wines benefit from bottle ageing to soften tannins and add complexity of truffles, tar and leather
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 and less perfumed than traditional Barolo.
How is labelled the wine of Barbaresco?
Barbaresco DOCG
For which grape varieties Barbaresco is renowned?
Nebbiolo
What are the regulations of Barbaresco ?
- must be aed for a minimum of 26 months, with a minimum of 9 months in wood
- released from the january of the thrids year after harvest
- High quality will be from a single name vineyard or cru
How are named most of the appellation in Asti and Alba ?
named after a grape variety followed by their nearest town
What is the most widely planted variety in Asti and Alba ?
Barbera
What are the appellations using barbera in Asti and Alba ?
Barbera d’Asti DOCG
and Barbera d’Alba DOC
Describe the characterstics and wine quality of Barbera d’Asti
late ripning grape
medium to deep colour
low to medium tannins
high acidity
aromas of red cherries , plums, black pepper
Two styles:
youthful and fruity with no oak
Barrel-aged with spicy flavours
What grape variety can be planted in cooler site of asti and alba ? What is its appellation ?
Dolcetto (black)
Dolcetto d’Alba DOC
Describe the characteristics and style of wine of Dolcetto d’Alba DOC
finest wines
Deep purple colours, medium to high tannin, medium acidity
aromas of black plums, red cherries and dried herbs.
Can be drunk young but best examples age for sever years
Outside of Dolcetto, what is Asti also known for ?
Sweet wine
Moscato d’Asti
Where is located Gavi ?
South Eastern Piemonte
What is the climate of Gavi ?
altitude and sea breezes result in long slow ripening season
What grape varieties are grown in Gavi ?
White wine
Cortese
Emphasising its natural high accidity and floral character
Which DOCG can be on a wine if the Cortese grapes only come from the village of Gavi itself?
Gavi di Gavi DOCG
Barbera d’Alba is a DO____.
Barbera d’Asti is a DO____.
Barbera d’Alba DOC
Barbera d’Asti DOCG
how is labelled the wine from 100% Cortese in Gavi ?
Gavi DOCG
Desribe the characteristics and winemaking techniques of Gavi DOCG
Pale light bodied, high acidity
Aromas and flavours of citrus, green appel, pears
Protecting winemaking with cool fermentation in stainless steel
some may use old oak vessels and lees stirring to add complexity
Early drinking but some may age in bottle
