Northern Italy Flashcards

1
Q

Where is the red grape Oseleta grown?

A

In the Valpolicella area

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2
Q

Where is the green grape Pignoletto grown? And what style of wine is it used for?

A

In Emilia Romagna. It is used both for sparkling and still wine

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3
Q

Where is the green grape Timorasso grown? What styles of wine is it used for?

A

In Piedmont. It is used for aromatic white and also pomace brandy, and Grappa

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4
Q

Which were the two first DOCGs in Northern Italy?

A

Barolo and Barbaresco in 1980

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5
Q

What did the colonizing Greeks call Italy?

A

Oenotria - “the land of wine”

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6
Q

What is the answer to the French AOP/AOC law in Italy?

A

DOC (Denominazione di Origine Controllata) or the more prestigious DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita)

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7
Q

What is the answer to the PGI (Protected Geographical Indication)?

What type of wines can that be?

A

IGT (Indicazione Geografica Tipica)

It may be variety labeled, and can be everything from very basic wine to the most sought-after Super-Tuscans

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8
Q

What is the simplest type of table wine called in Italy?

A

Vino (formerly Vino da Tavola)

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9
Q

What is the mountain range called to the north of Northern Italy?

A

The Alps

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10
Q

What mountain range is considered the spine of Italy?

A

The Apennine Mountains

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11
Q

When was modern-day Italy unified?

A

1861

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12
Q

When was the region Trentino-Alto Adige added to Italy?

A

After the Austro-Hungarian Empire collapsed after World War 1

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13
Q

What does the name of the region Piedmont mean?

A

“The Foot of the Mountain”

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14
Q

What river cuts through the Piedmont region?

A

The Po river

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15
Q

What typical soil types can one find in Piedmont?

A

Thinner, calcareous marl and sandstone soils with varying percentages of clay and sand, coupled with the sub-mountainous landscape

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16
Q

What type of climate has Piedmont?

A

Continental climate with rain shadowing effect from The Alps

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17
Q

What weather-related issues may occur in Piedmont in autumn?

A

Autumn hail may occur in the Lange Hills

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18
Q

What does the name Nebbiolo mean?

A

It comes from the Italian word nebbia, which means “Morning Fog.”

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19
Q

What is the typical trio of red grapes commonly grown in Piedmont?

Can you give some info about each variety?

A

Dolcetto, the little fruity one, is the earliest one to ripen. Designated to early consumption.

Barbera is the most planted grape in Piedmont. A food-friendly, elegant wine with good acidity

Nebbiolo, tannic, high acid, highly regarded as a wine that can age very well

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20
Q

What is the most planted white grape in Piedmont?

What type of wine does it usually produce?

A

Moscato Bianco. Generally used for sparkling Asti wines.

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21
Q

Can you name a few lesser indigenous-grown red grapes in Piedmont?

A

Brachetto, Grignolino, Ruchè, Croatina, Vespolina, and Freisa.

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22
Q

Can you name a few white grapes grown in Piedmont? (Without mentioning Moscato Bianco)

A

Cortese, Arneis, Erbaluce and Favorita (Vermentino)

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23
Q

What is the generalization of the difference between Barolo and Barbaresco?

A

Barolo is the more masculine, typically more robust and long-lived, while Barbaresco is the feminine counterpart, which is softer.

Although this is a generalization

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24
Q

What are the typical aromas of a Barolo/Barbaresco? And what color/hue do they usually have?

A

The aromas of tar, truffle, rose petals, and dried fruits are classically attributed to both wines. Both wines usually have an orange-tinged hue even in youth and go towards brick-color

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25
Q

In how many communes may Barolo be produced in? But what are the six core communes that produce the most?

A

One can produce Barolo in 11 communes.

But La Morra, Barolo, Serralunga d’Alba, Monforte d’Alba, and Castiglione Falletto, and Novello

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26
Q

What type of soil characterizes the soils of La Morra and Barolo? (It provides a softer style of wine)

A

Tortonian soils, which contain a higher proportion of calcareous marl

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27
Q

What type of soil characterizes the soils of Monforte d’Alba, Serralunga d’Alba, and Castiglione Falletto? (It supplies more structure in the wine)

A

Serravallian (Helvetian) sandstone soils

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28
Q

What are the aging requirements for Barolo?

A

Minimum of 38 months, including a minimum of 18 months in wood

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29
Q

What are the aging requirements for Barolo Riserva?

A

Minimum of 62 months, including a minimum of 18 months in wood

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30
Q

Can you name three “traditionalist” winemakers in Barolo?

A

Giacomo Conterno, Bartolo Mascarello, and Giuseppe Rinaldi

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31
Q

Can you name three “modernist” winemakers in Barolo?

A

Paolo Scavino, Luciano Sandrone, and Elio Altare

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32
Q

What are the aging requirements for Barbaresco?

A

Minimum 26 months, including a minimum of 9 months in wood

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33
Q

What are the aging requirements for Barbaresco Riserva?

A

Minimum 50 months, including a minimum of 9 months in wood

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34
Q

What are the communes of production for Barbaresco DOCG?

A

Barbaresco, Neive, Treiso, and San Rocco Seno d’Elvio (part of Alba)

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35
Q

What is Barolo Chinato?

A

DOCG aromatized wine that is flavored with quinine

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36
Q

Roero DOCG

  • Location
  • Soil type
  • Styles of wine and grapes allowed
  • Climate compared to Barolo and Barbaresco
A
  • Northwestern Bank of the Tanaro River
  • Sandy soils
  • Rosso wines from at least 95% Nebbiolo, usually a lighter style than Barolo and Barbaresco.

Aromatic and floral whites/spumante from the grape Arneis

  • The climate is semiarid and slightly warmer
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37
Q
  • What two DOCGs produce rosso wines from the grape Nebbiolo in the hills north of the Po River?
  • Which river does they straddle?
  • What is the local name of Nebbiolo here, and what other grapes is it commonly blended with?
A
  • Ghemme DOCG and Gattinara DOCG
  • Sesia River
  • Spanna and they usually add Vespolina and Bonarda grapes
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38
Q

Uva Rara, or Bonarda, is used in Gattinara DOCG and Ghemme DOCG, but they use different grape clones. Which?

Is the Bonarda related to the ones used in Argentina?

A

Bonarda Novarese is used for blending in Ghemme, while Bonarda di Gattianara is used for blending in Gattianara.

No, they are not related.

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39
Q

What type of wine produces Lessona DOC and Sizzano DOC?

A

Similar types of rosso wines, like Ghemme DOCG. Based on Nebbiolo

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40
Q

What type of wine produces Carema DOC?

A

Nebbiolo-based blends, but more fragrant examples, especially during warm vintages

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41
Q

What two DOCGs produce Barbera wines?

A

Barbera d’Asti DOCG and Barbera del Monferrato Superiore DOCG

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42
Q

What is the aging requirement for Barbera d’Asti DOCG?

Superiore, Superiore Tinella, Superiore Colli Astiani

A

Normale: Minimum 4 months in oak after November 1 of the harvest year

Superiore: 14 months from November 1 of the harvest year, including at least 6 months in oak

Superiore Tinella, Superiore Colli Astiani: 24 months from October 1 of the harvest year, including at least 6 months in wood and 6 months in bottle

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43
Q

What is the aging requirement for Barbera del Monterrato Superiore DOCG?

A

Minimum 14 months from November 1 of the harvest year, including at least 6 months in oak

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44
Q

What type of wine does Ruchè di Castagnole Monferrato DOCG produce?

A

Rosso wines based on the Ruchè grape

45
Q

What type of wine does Nizza DOCG produce?

A

Rosso wines based on 100% Barbera

46
Q

What three DOCGs produce rosso wines based on 100% Dolcetto?

A

Dogliani DOCG

Dolcetto di Ovada Superiore (Ovada) DOCG

Dolcetto di Diano d’Alba DOCG

47
Q

Which was the first white wine still promoted to DOCG in Piemonte?

  • Location
  • Grape
A

Gavi (Cortese di Gavi) DOCG

  • The appellation is located in the extreme southern portion of Alessandria province and shares its western border with Ovad
  • Cortese
48
Q

Which is the biggest DOCG in volume/liters produced per year?

  • Grape
  • Vinification method
A

Asti/Moscato d’Asti DOCG

  • Moscato Bianco
  • Charmat method or Martinotti method
49
Q

What type of wine does Alta Langa DOCG produce?

  • Grapes
  • Aging requirements
A

Traditional method sparkling wines, vintage-only wines

  • Pinot Noir and Chardonnay
  • 30 months for spumante and 36 months for Spumante Riserva
50
Q

Name the Nebbiolo DOCGs in Piemonte from north to south.

A

Ghemme DOCG
Gattinara DOCG
Roero DOCG
Barbaresco DOCG
Barolo DOCG

51
Q

What type of wine is Brachetto d’Acqui DOCG?

Production method?

A

Minimum 97% Brachetto.

Rosato or red, still, sparkling, or passito.

Charmat, traditional method, or passito method

52
Q

What is the local name for Nebbiolo in Valle d’Aosta?

A

Picotendro

53
Q

Valle d’Aosta DOC is the main DOC, but what are the seven sub-appelations?

A

Arnad-Montjovet
Blanc de Morgex et de la Salle
Chambave
Donnas
Enfer d’Arvier
Nus
Torrette

54
Q

Can Valle d’Aosta wines be labeled as vareity wines?

A

Yes

55
Q

What is the most important DOCG in Lombardy? And what style of wine is it limited to?

A

Franciacorta DOCG

It is limited to sparkling wine, the Italien answer to Champagne

56
Q

What grapes are allowed for Franciacorta DOCG?

A

Pinot Nero
Chardonnay
Maximum 50% Pinot Bianco
Maximum 10% Erbamat

57
Q

What are the aging requirements for Franciacorta DOCG?

A

Minimum 18 months on the lees,
25 months total from the date of harvest

58
Q

What is the DOC used for still wine in the Franciacorta region?

A

Curtefranca DOC or Serbino IGT

59
Q

What are the aging requirements for Vintage/Millesimato Franciacorta?

A

minimum 30 months on the lees, 37 months total from the date of harvest

60
Q

What are the requirements for Franciacorta’s labeled as Satèn?

A

They must include only white grapes and be bottled under under five atmospheres of pressure.

Only Brut in style and a minimum of 24 months on the lees.

61
Q

What are the requirements for Franciacorta Rosé?

A

Minimum 35% Pinot Nero
Maximum 65% Chardonnay
Maximum 50% Pinot Bianco
Maximum 10% Erbamat

It is produced rather by blending than the Saignée method

62
Q

What is Franciacorta Riserva’s aging requirement?

A

Minimum 60 months on the lees, 67 months total from the date of harvest

63
Q

What type of wine is produced in Oltrepò Pavese Metodo Classico DOCG?

A

Sparkling wine, primarily on Pinot Nero.

Minimum 70% Pinot Nero
Maximum 30% combined Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Bianco

64
Q

What is the aging requirement for Oltrepò Pavese Metodo Classico DOCG?

A

Shorter than Franciacorta

Minimum 15 months on the lees, and 24 for vintage/Millesimato

65
Q

What appelation would a still wine from Oltrepò Pavese Metodo Classico DOCG have?

A

Oltrepò Pavese DOC

66
Q

What is the Nebbiolo grape known as in Valtellina? How does it differ from Nebbiolo in Piedmont?

A

Chiavennasca

It’s lighter and more angular in style

67
Q

What are the two DOCGs in Valtellina?

A

Valtellina Superiore DOCG
Sforzato di Valtellina DOCG

68
Q

Valtellina Superiore DOCG

  • Grape requirement
  • Aging requirement
  • Riserva aging requirement
  • Alternative labeling
  • Subzones
A
  • Minimum 90% Chiavennasca, other 10% reds suitable for Lombardy
  • Minimum 24 months aging, including 12 months in wood
  • Riserva, minimum 3 years aging
  • If the wine is bottled in the neighboring Switzerland, it may be labelled as “Stagafassli”
  • Valgella, Inferno, Maroggia, Sassella, Grumello
69
Q

What type of wine is Sforzato di Valtellina DOCG?

  • Aging requirements
  • Dry or sweet?
A

Similar in style to Recioto but made with a minimum of 90% dried Chiavennasca grapes.

  • 20 months from April 1 of the year following the harvest, including at least 12 months in wood
  • It is dry in character
70
Q

What type of wine does Moscato di Scanzo DOCG produce?

  • Location
  • Aging requirements
  • Type of bottle commonly used
A

Sweet passito red wines from the red Moscato grape.

  • It surrounds the town of Bergamo, west of Franciacorta
  • Minimum two years of aging, NO WOOD
  • The wine is often bottled in a slender 500 ml bottle called Futura (Icewine bottle)
71
Q

What is the name of Vermentino in Liguria?

A

Pigato

72
Q

What region is home to Parmigiano Reggiano and Prosciutto di Parma?

A

Emilia-Romagna

73
Q

What are Emilia Romagna’s two DOCGs?

A

Colli Bolognesi Pignoletto DOCG

Romagna Albana DOCG

74
Q

What type of wine does Romagna Albana DOCG produce?

A

White wine, passito wines made from a minimum of 95% Albana

75
Q

What type of wine does Colli Bolognesi Pignoletto DOCG produce?

A

Still white wine and also Frizzante wine made from a minimum of 85% Pignoletto (Grechetto Gentile, or Alionzina)

for Classico Superiore it’s minimum of 95% Pignoletto

76
Q

What is the Pignoletto grape also known as?

A

Grechetto Gentile, or Alionzina

77
Q

Can producers outside the DOC/DOCG in Emilia Romagna use the Pignoletto name on varietal labels?

A

No, like Prosecco, Pignoletto has become an appellation, and the grape is referred to as Grechetto Gentile

78
Q

What brand/wine catapulted Lambrusco into the international spotlight?

A

Banfi’s Riunite

79
Q

Trentino Alto Adige is subdivided into two parts. What are the names of the two parts? (And which languages do they speak there?)

A

Alto Adige, or Südtirol, lies in the north; they speak German there. Trentino lies to the south, and they speak Italien there

80
Q

What is the predominant red grape in Trentino Alto Adige?

A

Schiava

81
Q

What white grapes is the Alto Adige subzone Terlano known for?

A

Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Bianco, Müller Thurgau

82
Q

What type of wine is produced in Tereldego Rotaliano DOC?

A

Red wine from the Tereldego

83
Q

What red grapes are grown in Trentino Alto Adige?

A

Marzemino, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Pinot Nero, Schiava, Tereldego

84
Q

What grapes are Valpolicella DOC wines made from?

A

45-95% Corvina
5-30# Rondinella
Maximum 25% other red grapes, such as Molinara, Negrara, and Oseleta (no single variety may comprise more than 10% of the blend)

85
Q

Explain the appassimento process used for Amarone or Recioto della Valpolicella

A

The grapes are dried for over three months in special lofts (fruttai) before fermentation, effectively concentrating sugar and extract. Grapes destined for Recioto are typically dried for one extra month.

The grapes may not be vinified before December 1st.

Recioto are vinified to a semi-sweet to sweet wine, while Amarone is fermented completely to a dry wine or near-dry

86
Q

What are the aging requirements for Amarone?

A

Rosso: Minimum two years from January 1 of the year following the harvest

Riserva: Minimum four years from November 1 of the harvest year

87
Q

What additional requirements are there for Valpolicella Superiore DOC

A

Superiore must be aged for at least one year from January 1 following the harvest.

Superiore: Minimum 12% alcohol instead of 11%

88
Q

Can Recioto della Valoplicella DOCG be Spumante?

A

Yes

89
Q

What is Valpolicella Ripasso DOC?

A

Ripasso means “re-passed” over and re-fermented with the unpressed skins of grapes previously fermented for Amarone or Recioto wine.

So basically, Valpolicella wine goes through a second fermentation by adding the Amarone pomace

90
Q

What type of wine produces Bardolino DOC?

A

Red and Rosé, also Rosé sparkling wine.

Corvina and Rondinella grapes dominate the blend

91
Q

What is the name of Bardolino Rosé?

A

Bardolino Chiaretto

92
Q

What’s the minimum aging for Bardolino Superiore DOCG?

A

Minimum one year from November 1st of the harvest year

93
Q

What type of wine does Soave DOC produce?

A

White wine, also sparkling wine.

Minimum 70% Garganega
Maximum 30% combined Trebbiano di Soave and Chardonnay
Maximum 5% other grapes

94
Q

What two DOCGs do you find in Soave?

A

Recioto di Soave DOCG and Soave Superiore DOCG

95
Q

Is barrel fermentation and Botrytis Cinerea common and encouraged in Recioto di Soave DOCG?

A

Yes!

96
Q

What type of wine do they produce in Gambellara DOC?

A

Similar to Soave, white and sparkling wines are mostly made from Garganega.

97
Q

What type of wines does Recioto di Gambellara DOCG produce?

A

Still and sparkling Recioto wines made from 100% Garganega

98
Q

What type of method is used for Prosecco DOC?

A

Usually Charmat method

99
Q

What grape is mainly used for Prosecco DOC?

A

Glera

100
Q

What two DOCGs can you find for Prosecco?

A

Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco DOCG
Asolo Prosecco DOCG

101
Q

What is the most noteworthy Cru of Prosecco?

What style does it generally have?

A

Cartizze wines from this subregion are labeled as Valdobbiadene Superiore di Cartizze.

It is fully sparkling and generally “dry” with 17-32 grams of residual sugar

102
Q

What type of wine do Ramandolo DOCG and Colli Orientali del Friuli Picolit DOCG produce?

A

Both sweet Passito wines

Ramandolo with 100% Verduzzo Friulano (Verduzzo Giallo)

Colli Orientali del Fruili Picolit with minimum 85% Picolit

103
Q

In the subzone and monopole Cialla in Colli Orientali del Friuli-Picolit DOCG, the Ronchi di Cialla estate produces red wine from a grape close to extinction. Which grape?

A

Schioppettino

104
Q

What is the name of the seas that surrounds Italy?

A

To the west, the Ligurian Sea and the Tyrrhenian Sea. To the east, the Adriatic Sea. To the south, the Ionian Sea

105
Q

How many DOCGs are there in Piedmont?

A

19, the most of any Italian region

106
Q

What other lesser-known five regions produce Barolo?

A

Diano d’Alba, Verduno, Grinzane Cavour, Cherasco

107
Q

Explain specific factors affecting the climate in Barolo

A

The southeastern part of the Barolo denomination is cooler, as the narrow Serralunga valley funnels cool air from the Apennines. The warmest crus are situated on south-facing ridges.

The northwestern part is warmer, with a low-lying amphitheater in the village of Barolo and the highest altitudes in the commune of La Morra.

The slopes are generally steep, with hand-harvesting the norm and erosion a constant issue for growers.

108
Q

Explain specific factors affecting the climate in Barbaresco

A

Barbaresco’s hills generally have gentler slopes and are lower-lying, except for the higher-altitude commune of Treiso.

Barbaresco is closer to the Tanaro River and receives more of its moderating influence, resulting in a warmer climate where grapes are generally harvested two weeks earlier than in Barolo

109
Q

What type of vine training is the norm for Nebbiolo in both Barolo and Barbaresco?

A

Guyot.

With Nebbiolo, longer canes with more buds are needed for production, as the buds closest to the plant are typically sterile