Northern Italy

Question 1

What is the classification of Italy?

Answer 1

Vino da Tavola
Indicazione Geografica Tipica (IGT)
Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC)
Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG)

Question 2

What is the meaning of DOCG?

Answer 2

1. wine are subject to geographical
2. limitation of grape varieties and production methods
3. DOCG must be bottled in the area of production
4. subject to a Ministry of Agriculture tasting

Question 3

What is the meaning of Classico?

Answer 3

wine is made solely from the original classified land and includes many of the best wines from the area

Question 4

What is the meaning of Riserva?

Answer 4

wine with both higher alcohol levels and longer ageing requirement

Eg. Chianti Classico Reserva: aged for 24 months

Question 5

Name the planting method in Northern Italy?

Answer 5

1. Pergola System
2. Vertical Shoot Positioning

Question 6

Describe Pergola System

Answer 6

low planting densities with high yield
= Protect grapes from sunburn as well as minimise the risk of rot
- use for wines for sparkling wine and wines made from dried grapes

Advantage:
1. increase air flow and decrease fungal disease
2. decrease sun exposure = protect grape bunch

Question 7

What is special about Veneto?

Answer 7

• largest wine-producing regions
• Lake Garda

Question 8

Name the grape planted in Gavi DOCG.

Answer 8

Cortese
(high acidity + floral character)

Question 9

Name some places in Veneto

Answer 9

1. Soave DOC
2. Soave Classico DOC - foothill (Garganega)
3. Recioto di Soave DOCG

Question 10

Name the grape planted in Trentino DOCG.

Answer 10

Merlot and Teroldego

Question 11

Name the grape planted in Alto Adige DOCG.

Answer 11

Schiava
(light body + low-medium tannin)

Question 12

Describe Passito / Appassimento

Answer 12

1. grapes are picked early
   2.with high acidity
2. dried indoors until
3. fermentation take place in winter

Style:
- concentrate grapes
- full bodied wine with high alochol
- concentrate flavours
- concentrated berry and spice flavours

Question 13

What is the style in Amarone delle Valpolicella DOCG?

Answer 13

1. dry / off dry + full body + high alcohol
2. medium-high tannin + intensely concentrated red cherry
3. aged in large oak casks
   (example of Passito)

Question 14

Name the region that make Passito sweet wine

Answer 14

Recioto delle Valpolicella DOCG

Question 15

Describe Ripasso

Answer 15

1. grape skin of fermented Amarone are used.
2. Valpolicella wine that has finished its fermentation is added to the vat of unpressed skins
3. extra colours, flavours, tannin to the wine

Question 16

Name the region that make Ripasso

Answer 16

Valpolicella Ripasso DOCG

Question 17

What is the purpose of using Passito or Ripasso

Answer 17

1. soften tannin
2. enhance mouth feel
3. loss of water
4. increase VA

Question 18

What is the ageing requirement of Barolo DOCG?

Answer 18

1. must age for 38 months, 18 months in wood
2. release from January of the 4th year after harvest

Question 19

What is the ageing requirement of Barbaresco DOCG?

Answer 19

1. must aged for 26 months, 9 months in wood
2. release from January of the 3rd year after harvest

Question 20

What is there change in style for Barolo DOCG and Barbaresco DOCG throughout the year

Answer 20

1. aged for several years in large oak barrels –> soften harsh tannin
2. improved in vineyard management and gentler method of extraction –> smoother and riper tannin
3. oak maturation –> small barrels or large oak barrels