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WSET 3 - Fall 2023 > Northern Italy > Flashcards

Northern Italy Flashcards

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1
Q

Explain the PDO wines of Italy

A

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

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2
Q

Explain PGI wines of Italy

A

PGI
Indicazione Geografica Protetta (IGP)

Traditional term
Indicazione Geografica Tipica (IGT)

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3
Q

Name and define the two specific labelling terms in italy ?

A

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.

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4
Q

Name the four regions of Northern Italy

A

Trentino - Alto Adige
Friuli-Venezia Giulia
Veneto
Piemonte

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5
Q

Describe the geography and climate of Northern Italy

A

Generally moderate climate
Dry short summers
Located on the hillsides in the foothills of the Alps and of the plains of Rivers

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6
Q

What are the factors influencing the climate of the vineyards in Northern Italy?

A

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

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7
Q

What are the climate hazard of Northern italy ?

A

High levels of rainfall in the areas closer to the sea

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8
Q

What is the tradionnal treillising system of Northern Italy ?

A

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

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9
Q

Pergolas are still used for which style of wine ?

A

When you need high acidity and low sugar such as for sparkling wine
when you need dried grapes, free from damange and disease

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10
Q

What is the more common treillising system in Northern italy now ?

A

Higher density plantings using VSP training

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11
Q

What is Italy most northerly region ?

A

Alto Adige

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12
Q

What is the climate of Alto Adige ?

A

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

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13
Q

Where are located the vinyeards of Alto Adige?

A

On terraces on the south-east and sout-west facing valley sides of River Adige

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14
Q

What is the most notable white wine of Alto Adige ?

A

Pinot Grigio

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15
Q

Describe the characteristics of Pinot Grigio of Alto Adige

A

dry style
light to medium body
high acidity
citru and green fruit flavours

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16
Q

Name the grape varieties grown in Alto Adige

A

White varieties

Pinot Grigio
Gewurztraminer
Chardonnay
Pinot blanc

Blakc varieties

Schiava (italian grapes, produicing light fruity wines)

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17
Q

How are labelled almost all wines of Alto Adige ?

A

Alto Adige DOC

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18
Q

Where is located Trentino?

A

In northern Italy,
South of Alto Adige
on both sides of the River Adige

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19
Q

What is the climate of Trentino?

A

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

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20
Q

What are the main varieties of Trentino ?

A

Pinot Grigio
Chardonnay

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21
Q

How does the location of the vineyards affects the characteristics of the wines in trentino?

A

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)

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22
Q

What black grape varieties are grown in Trentino?

A

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

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23
Q

How are labelled almost all wines of Trentino ?

A

Trentino DOC

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24
Q

Where is located Friuli-Venezi Giulia?

A

Northern Italy eastern corner

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25
Q

What is the climate of Friuli-Venezia Giulia ?

A

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

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26
Q

What is the most prevalent grapes in Friuli Venezia Giulia ?

A

**Pinot Grigio **

Merlot

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27
Q

What are the characteristics of Friuli Venezia Giulia Pinot Grigio?

A

some of the richest pinot grigio in italy
medium to full bodied wines
juicy peachc and tropical fruit flavours

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28
Q

What other styles of wine a produced in Friuli Venezia Giulia ?

A

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

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29
Q

How are labelled the wines from the plain of Friuli Venezia Giulia ?

A

Friuli Grave DOC

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30
Q

What are the DOC regions located in the hills of Friuli Venezia Giulia that are known fore premium more concentrated wines ?

A

Collio DOC
Colli Orientali DOC

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31
Q

What region of Northern Italy is one of the largest win producing region of italy?

A

Veneto

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32
Q

What are the two best wines of Veneto ?

A

Soave
Valpolicella

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33
Q

Where is located Veneto ?

A

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

34
Q

What is the climat of Veneto?

A

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

35
Q

What are the grape varieties and the styles on wine from the flat plain of Veneto ?

A

Inexpensive high volume brends
Pinot Grigio
Chardonnay
merlot and italian grapes like Corvina, Garganega(white)and Trebbiano(white)

36
Q

What are labelled the inexpensive wines of Veneto ?

A

Veneto IGT

37
Q

What is the label that covers Veneto, Friuli-Venezia Giulia and Trentino ?

A

Pinot Grigio delle Venezie DOC

38
Q

From where are grown the majority of Prosecco in Northern Italy ?

A

Veneto
altough can also be produced in Friuli-Venezia Giulia

39
Q

Where is located Soave ?

A

East of Verona, south of Trentino.

40
Q

Describe the 2 distinct areas of Soave.

A

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

41
Q

What is the main grape variety of Soave ?

A

white grape Garganega

42
Q

What are the characteristics of Garganega?

A

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

43
Q

What are the most used labelling terms in Soave ?

A

Soave DOCfor the entire region
Soave Classico DOC when using grapes solely from the og classified area

44
Q

Where is located Valpolicella?

A

Just west of Soave

45
Q

Describe the winegrowing area of Valpolicella ?

A

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

46
Q

What is the main grape of Valpolicella ?

A

black grapeCorvina
native to the region

47
Q

Describe the characteristics of Corvina in valpolicella?

A

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

48
Q

What are the labelling terms used in Valpolicella ?

A

Valpolicella DOC (grapes from entire region)
Valpolicella Classico DOC ( Grapes from OG classified areas)

49
Q

What is the Passito method ?

A

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

50
Q

What are the two styles of passito wine in Valpolicella ?

A

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

51
Q

What is the region and the DOCG producing white wine from the passito method ?

A

In Soave
Recioto di Soave DOCG

52
Q

What is the Ripasso method ?

A
  • 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.
53
Q

How is labelled Ripasso wine in Veneto ?
Describe the characteristics of the wine

A

Valpolicella Ripasso DOC
Medium to full bodied
Medium to high tannins and flavours of stewed red cherries and plums

54
Q

Where is Piemonte located ?

A

North west corner of Italy

55
Q

What is the climate of Piemonte and the factors influencing it ?

A

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

56
Q

What are the climatic hazards of Piemonte?

A

Thunderstorms, hail and fog

57
Q

What are the main grape varieties of Piemonte?

A

Black varieties
- Nebbiolo
- Barbera
- Dolcetto

White varieties
- Cortese

58
Q

What are the most famous annd prestigious wine areas of Piemonte, south of turin ?

A

Barolo DOCG
Barbaresco DOCG

59
Q

What is the altitude range for vineyards in Barolo?

Which direction do the most important vineyards in Barolo face?

A

300-500m

Most vineyards in Barolo face south.

60
Q

Barolo DOCG is made from what grape ?

A

Made entirely from Nebbiolo

61
Q

Describe the characteristics of Nebbiolo grape from Barolo

A

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

62
Q

Explain the labelling of Barolo DOCG

A

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

63
Q

Explain the regulations of Barolo DOCG

A

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

64
Q

What is the altitude range for vineyards in Barbaresco?

A

200-400m

Lower altitude means Nebbiolo ripens earlier in Barbaresco, making Barbaresco usually a bit fruitier and less perfumed than traditional Barolo.

65
Q

How is labelled the wine of Barbaresco?

A

Barbaresco DOCG

66
Q

For which grape varieties Barbaresco is renowned?

A

Nebbiolo

67
Q

What are the regulations of Barbaresco ?

A
  • 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
68
Q

How are named most of the appellation in Asti and Alba ?

A

named after a grape variety followed by their nearest town

69
Q

What is the most widely planted variety in Asti and Alba ?

A

Barbera

70
Q

What are the appellations using barbera in Asti and Alba ?

A

Barbera d’Asti DOCG
and Barbera d’Alba DOC

71
Q

Describe the characterstics and wine quality of Barbera d’Asti

A

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

72
Q

What grape variety can be planted in cooler site of asti and alba ? What is its appellation ?

A

Dolcetto (black)
Dolcetto d’Alba DOC

73
Q

Describe the characteristics and style of wine of Dolcetto d’Alba DOC

A

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

74
Q

Outside of Dolcetto, what is Asti also known for ?

A

Sweet wine
Moscato d’Asti

75
Q

Where is located Gavi ?

A

South Eastern Piemonte

76
Q

What is the climate of Gavi ?

A

altitude and sea breezes result in long slow ripening season

77
Q

What grape varieties are grown in Gavi ?

A

White wine
Cortese

Emphasising its natural high accidity and floral character

78
Q

Which DOCG can be on a wine if the Cortese grapes only come from the village of Gavi itself?

A

Gavi di Gavi DOCG

79
Q

Barbera d’Alba is a DO____.

Barbera d’Asti is a DO____.

A

Barbera d’Alba DOC

Barbera d’Asti DOCG

80
Q

how is labelled the wine from 100% Cortese in Gavi ?

A

Gavi DOCG

81
Q

Desribe the characteristics and winemaking techniques of Gavi DOCG

A

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

WSET 3 - Fall 2023 (42 decks)

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