Italy: North-East Flashcards
(189 cards)
1
Q
Trentino and Alto Adige were once Provinces of which country?
A
Austria
2
Q
When are Trentino and Alto Adige incorporated into Italy?
A
1919
3
Q
What is Alto-Adige also known as?
A
Südtirol
4
Q
What languages are primarily spoken in Trentino and Alto-Adige?
A
Trentino - predominantly Italian speaking
Alto-Adige- predominantly German
5
Q
What are the four most important white grape varieties of Trentino?
A
- Pinot Grigio
- Chardonnay
- Müller-Thurgau
- Gewürtztraminer
6
Q
What are the four most important black grape varieties of Trentino?
A
Terolego
Merlot
Marzemino
Lagrein
7
Q
What is the general climate of Trentino?
A
Moderate Continental
8
Q
What are the most important climactic influencers on Trentino’s climate?
A
- The Dolomites protect the region from the worst of the cold northern winds.
- Cool air descends from the mountains at night, creating a high diurnal range.
- Lake Garda and heat building up on the valley floor moderates temperatures.
9
Q
How much do white grape varieties account for in Trentino’s total land under vine?
A
Around 75%
10
Q
Max. permitted yields of Trentino?
A
Maximum yields are high, with whites reaching around 100 hL/ha and reds approximately 90 hL/ha.
11
Q
What are the most widely planted international grape varieties in Trentino?
A
Whites: Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Müller-Thurgau, Pinot Bianco, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, and Gewurztraminer.
Reds: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Pinot Noir.
12
Q
How much does Pinot Grigio and Chardonnay account for in Trentino’s total land under vine?
A
About half of the planted hectares.
13
Q
What three local black grape varieties mostly planted in Trentino?
A
Teroldego (black cherry), Marzemino (red cherry) and Lagrein (red cherry and black plum)
14
Q
Teroldego, Marzemino and Lagrein are black varieties all closely related and mostly planted in which Italian wine region?
A
Trentino
15
Q
What is the most common black variety in Trentino?
A
Teroldego
16
Q
What are the most common training methods for Teroldego in Trentino?
A
Pergola (traditionally for high yields) and Guyot (for quality minded producers)
17
Q
What are the best clones of Teroldego in Trentino?
A
The best clones are 145 and 152 for intense aromas
18
Q
What hazards is Teroldego most susceptible to?
A
Drying out of stems, less susceptible to mildews
19
Q
Where do the best wines from Teroldego in Trentino come from?
A
The best quality wines come from the Teroldego Rotaliano DOC on sandy and gravelly soils in the far north of Trentino
20
Q
In Trentino, Teroldego cannot be bottled under the Trentino DOC.
What other GI can be used?
A
Vini delle Dolomiti IGT (which includes wines from both Trentino and Alto-Adige)
21
Q
What hazards is Marzemino most susceptible to?
A
Prone to botrytis bunch rot and powdery mildew
22
Q
How are Marzemino vines typically trained in Teroldego?
A
Older vines were usually trained on pergolas; newer lower-yielding clones have been trained as spurred cordons.
23
Q
Where are the best wines from Marzemino in Trentino found?
A
The best, ripest, wines come from the Ziresi subzone of the Trentino DOC due to full sun exposure and rich calcareous/clay and basalt soils.
24
Q
In what sites does Lagrein fare better?
A
Needs warm site with plenty of sunshine
25
What hazards is Lagrein most susceptible to?
Poor fruit set, and therefore low yields
26
How is Lagrein treated in the winery in Trentino?
Bitterness and some harshness on the finish is
being addressed by shorter maceration times and ageing in wood. Because of its deep colour,
the variety is also used for rosés.
27
Lagrein labelling terms in Trentino?
The wines can be labelled in either Italian or German as ‘red’ and ‘rosé’: Lagrein rubino/dunkel and Lagrein rosato/kretzer.
28
What style of wine is made from Moscato Rosa in Trentino?
Rose-scented sweet wines
The wines are made either by the appassimento method or by picking late harvest fruit. The wines are premium priced.
29
What hazards is Moscato Rosa most susceptible to?
Poor fruit set, botrytis bunch rot
30
Where in Trentino is the white variety Nosiola mostly planted?
Grown in the Valley of the Lakes, the warmest area with a sub-continental climate.
31
What styles of wines are made from Nosiola in Trentino?
It produces a small volume of distinctive white wines with a light hazelnut flavour. It is also made in a semi-dried fruit version, called Vino Santo (not Vin Santo).
32
What hazards is Nosiola most susceptible to?
Spring frosts, powdery mildew, sour rot
33
What prices can wines from Nosiola from Trentino achieve?
Dry wine is mid-priced, Vino Santo premium priced.
34
Describe the typical winemaking practices of white wines in Trentino.
Most white wines are made by soft pressing grapes and fermenting the juice in stainless steel at low temperatures (12–16º) to retain fruit character. They may be aged briefly on the lees for fruitiness, while some top whites are aged in small oak barrels for added vanilla and spice notes.
35
Describe the typical winemaking practices of red wines in Trentino?
Red wines come in two styles:
* Fresh and fruity with medium tannins and body, achieved through maceration on the skins during fermentation (5–7 days) at moderate temperatures (17– 20°C) and briefly aged in stainless steel or neutral casks.
* Premium reds undergo additional maceration and warm fermentation (26–32°C), then age in small oak barrels, resulting in intense fruit flavours and oak notes.
36
What are the different categories of Trentino DOC?
* Bianco (minimum 80% Chardonnay and/or Pinot Bianco)
* Rosso (single variety or blends of Cabernets, Carmenère, Merlot)
* Single variety wines (minimum 85% named variety)
* Two-variety blends (specific proportions of listed varieties)
* Rosé (Rosato or Kretzer)
37
What are the subzones of the Trentino DOC?
Sorni, Isera, Ziresi, Castel Beseno, Valle di Cembra
38
What are the key businesses and their responsibility in the total production of Trentino?
Trentino's wine production is dominated by small growers, with co-operatives accounting for 70% of total production, led by Cavit, which produces 60% of the province's wine.
39
How much do small estates account for in Trentino's total production?
About 10%
40
Why might some producers avoid labelling their wines with Trentino DOC? Example?
Trentino DOC covers common varieties but has high yield allowances, leading high-quality growers like Foradori to sometimes avoid using it.
41
What styles of wines do each of the Trentino DOC subzones produce?
* Castel Beseno: Moscato Giallo in Bianco and Bianco Passito/Vendemmia Tardiva
* Valle di Cembra and Sorni: dry red and white wines
* Isera and Ziresi: Marzemino Superiore
42
What are the key DOCs of the Trento Provence?
* Trentino DOC and its 5 subzones
* Teroldego Rotaliano DOC
* Trento DOC
43
What are the six subzones of Alto-Adige?
Colli di Bolzano
Meranese
Santa Maddalena
Terlano
Valle Isarco
Valle Venosta
44
Describe the climate of Alto-Adige.
Alto Adige's mild Alpine continental climate is ideal for grape ripening and acidity retention due to warm air currents, ample sunshine, and significant day/night temperature differences
45
Describe the soils of Alto-Adige.
The region features diverse soils like volcanic porphyry, quartz, mica rock, and Dolomitic limestone.
46
What are the typical vine training methods in Alto-Adige?
Vines are typically trained using pergola or Guyot systems.
47
Typical altitude of Alto-Adige vineyards?
300-700m
48
There are six unofficial subzones of Alto-Adige based on climate, topography and soils.
Name the two largest
Bassa Atesina
Oltradige
49
Where is Bassa Atesina, Alto-Adige?
In the south of the province with the warmer climate
50
Where is Oltradige, Alto-Adige?
Includes Lake Caldaro area
51
What are the five most grown white grape varieties of Alto-Adige?
Pinot Grigio
Gewurtztraminer
Chardonnay
Pinot Bianco
Sauvignon Blanc
52
What are the principal white grape varieties for Alto Adige DOC?
Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio, and Chardonnay
53
What are the principal black grape varieties for Alto-Adige DOC?
Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Lagrein, Malvasia, Merlot, Moscato Rosa, Pinot Nero, Schiava
54
What are the two most grown black grape varieties of Alto-Adige?
Shiava
Lagrein
55
Which three sub-zones of Alto-Adige specialise in Shiava production?
Colli di Bolzano, Meranese, and Santa Maddelena
56
What is the German name for Shiava?
Vernatsch
57
How are Shiava vines typically planted and trained in Alto-Adige?
The vines are typically grown on a pergola to cope with their natural vigour and the vines produce high yields
58
Describe a Shiava wine from Alto-Adige.
The wine is typically a pale ruby wine with perfumed violet and strawberry aromas with a medium to light body and low tannins.
59
What wines does Alto-Adige Santa Maddelena DOC specialise in?
The Santa Maddelena subzone, in the hillsides northeast of Bolzano, is especially renowned for Schiava, and the wines are typically blended with a small percentage of Lagrein (15%), providing a more full-bodied expression.
60
Describe the typical winemaking practices in Alto-Adige.
White winemaking focuses on preserving fruit aromas, fermenting must at moderate temperatures (12–15°C) and aging in stainless steel vessels. Mid-priced wines may age on fine lees for 4–6 months, premium wines nearly a year. Top whites and reds like Lagrein and Pinot Noir may be aged in French barriques.
61
How much do DOC wines account for in Alto-Adige's total production?
98%
62
What are the assemblage requirements for Alto-Adige DOC Bianco?
Minimum 75% Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco or Pinot Grigio – two of these varieties must be present but no single variety can exceed 70% of the whole blend).
There is no corresponding Rosso category.
63
What are the requirements for two variety blends in Alto-Adige DOC?
Two variety blends, for example, Chardonnay-Pinot Bianco or Cabernet-Lagrein in which
both varieties must be more than 15 per cent of the blend each.
64
What wines are produced under the Alto-Adige DOC?
* Biano: min, 75% Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay and/or Pinot Bianco.
* Single variety (red or white): min.85% of named variety.
* Two variety blend: min.15% labelled varieties.
65
What are the max. yields for white varieties in Alto-Adige?
Around 90h/L
66
What is the total land under vine in Alto-Adige?
5700ha
67
What is the average vineyard holding in Alto-Adige?
Around 1ha
68
How much of a role do co-operatives play in the total production of Alto Adige?
70% of the region's wine, including high-quality options
69
Name two significant co-operatives in Alto-Adige.
Cantina Kaltern and Cantina di Tramin
70
What are the main markets of Alto-Adige wines?
Wine sales focus on Italy (65%), with significant local consumption due to tourism. Key export markets are Germany and the USA
71
What is the name of the promotional body of Alto-Adige wines?
What do they do?
The Consortium Alto Adige Wines promotes regional wines, branded with the Südtirol logo.
72
Where is Friuli-Venezia Giulia?
Northeastern Italy, bordering Austria and Slovenia
73
Describe the climate of Friuli-Venezia Giulia.
Warm maritime climate, influenced by Adriatic Sea and Alps; high rainfall (over 1000m annually).
74
How much does Friuli-Venezia Giulia account for in Italy's total production?
3%
75
How much do white wines account for in Friuli's total production?
76%
76
What are the two zones divided by climate and topography in Friuli Venezia Giulia?
Plains: Fertile, alluvial soils with rocky deposits. High yielding.
Hills: calcareous marl, compacted marl known as ponca and sandstone soils. 200-300m alt. Low yielding, high quality.
77
Name five examples of DOCs located in the plains of Friuli-Venezia Giulia.
* Prosecco DOC (Shared with Veneto)
* Friuli DOC
* Delle Venezia DOC (shared with Veneto & Trentino Alto)
* Grave del Friuli DOC
* Friuli Isonzo DOC
78
Name two examples of DOCs located in the hills of Friuli-Venezia Giulia.
Collio DOC and Friuli Colli Orientali DOC
79
What are the most important local varieties grown in Friuli?
Pinot Grigio, Glera, Ribolla Gialla, Malvasia Istriana, Verduzzo, Picolit, Refosco, Schiopettino, Pignolo, Tazzalenghe
80
What varieties in common with Austria and Middle Europe are planted in Friuli?
Riesling, Welschriesling, Gewürztraminer, Müller-Thurgau, Blaufränkisch
81
What French varieties are planted in Friuli?
Merlot, Sauvignonasse, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Carmenère
82
What are the six most planted white grape varieties of Friuli-Venezia Giulia?
* Pinot Grigio
* Glera
* Ribollo Gialla
* Chardonnay
* Friulano
* Sauvignon
83
What is the most planted black variety in Friuli?
Merlot
84
What is the most significant difference between the varieties grown in Collio and Friuli Colli Orientali DOCs?
Black varieties account for more than 30% of hectares planted, particularly Merlot and Refosco in Friuli Colli Orientali DOC
85
What are the seven most planted grape varieties in Collio DOC?
* Pinot Grigio
* Sauvignon Blanc
* Friulano
* Ribolla Gialla
* Chardonnay
* Pinot Bianco
* Malvasia Istriana
86
Describe the typical winemaking practices in Friuli-Venezia Giulia (classic styles).
* Use of stainless steel fermentation, temperature control, cultivated yeasts and pneumatic presses.
* Experimentation with late harvest fruit, skin maceration, lees stirring, oak usage
87
What have Friuli's winemaking practices been influenced by?
* The style of clean, mainly unoaked, white wines associated with Friuli was introduced by Mario Schiopetto and others from the late 1960s.
* Drew on German expertise.
88
How are orange wines from Friuli typically made?
These wines are made from long maceration
(8 days up to 6–8 months) on the skins of white varieties followed by long ageing (2–6 years)
in large format barrels
89
Name the three pioneers of the orange wine movement of Friuli-Venezia Giulia.
What was the reason?
The pioneers of this movement, returning to old winemaking ways in the face of the perceived industrialisation of winemaking, included Joško Gravner (who also introduced amphora), Stanko Radikon and Dario Prinčič.
90
What are the principals of orange winemaking in Friuli as pioneered by Radikon and Gravner etc?
* Organic methods in the vineyard
* The use of local varieties (especially Ribolla Gialla), alongside international ones
* Long maceration on the skins
* Fermentation with ambient yeast with no temp. control.
* Long maturation in large format oak or other wood
* No fining or filtration.
* No or limitied s02
91
Describe an orange wine from Friuli-Venezia Giulia.
Amber, orange or gold in colour. They have pronounced flavours, unlike white wines from the same varieties, of dried fruits, dried herbs, hay and nuts, and medium tannins.
92
What prices to orange wines from Friuli typically achieve?
Premium prices
Much appreciated by Sommeliers.
93
When was the Friuli DOC created?
2016
94
What styles of wine are made under the Friuli DOC?
Bianco, Rosso, Spumante, Varietal
95
What are the max. permitted yields for Friuli DOC?
About 98hL/ha for most whites.
96
Where in Friuli is Ribolla Gialla grown? Why?
Only Collio and Colli Orientali
Needs hillside sites to prevent it growing too vigourously
97
Ribolla Gialla is prone to?
Shot berries
98
What characteristics does Ribolla Gialla contribute to the final wine?
The wines have citrus and pepper notes and high acidity
99
How are wines from Ribolla Gialla being made in Friuli?
Many styles are being experimented with as the profile of the variety has grown: oak-aged or not, tank or traditional method sparkling wine, extended skin contact for orange wines, fermentation and ageing in amphora.
100
What is the most planted local black variety in Friuli?
Refosco
101
Full name of Refosco?
Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso
102
What are the viticultural characteristics of Refosco?
It is another vigorous variety that produces its best wines when grown on hillside sites with lower fertility. It is late ripening and resistant to botrytis
103
Describe a wine made from Refosco.
The red wines produced are red cherry
flavoured with herbal aromas. It has small berries that produce wines with high tannins that are best smoothed out by time in wood.
104
What are the DOCGs of Friuli-Venezia-Giulia?
Colli Orientali del Friuli Picolit DOCG
Lison DOCG
Ramandolo DOCG
Rosazzo DOCG
105
Ramandolo and Rosazzo are DOCGs from which region?
Friuli-Venezia-Giulia
106
What are the two most important DOCs in Friuli for high quality production?
Collio and Friuli Colli Orientali.
107
What are the max. permitted yields for Collio DOC?
77hL/ha
108
What are the principal wines made in the Collio and Friuli Colli Orientali DOCs?
The principal wines in these two DOCs are the
single-variety whites – Friulano, Ribolla Gialla, Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay
109
How might varietal wines be labelled in the Collio and Friuli Colli Orientali DOCs?
The DOC wines can have a variety name for example, Friuli Colli Orientali Sauvignon Blanc or Collio Friulano. This is extended to 18 approved varieties, reflecting the range of varieties grown.
110
Where are Grave del Friuli DOC and Friuli Isonzo DOC located?
On right bank of the river Isonzo, neighbouring Collio
111
What makes Collio DOC and Friuli Colli
Orientali DOC suitable for high quality grape production?
Hillside sites with calcareous marl and sandstone. Soils include compacted marl, known as ponca, with excellent drainage. While the altitude is modest (200–300 m), a range of slopes and exposure to wind contribute to lower yields and higher quality, greater costs and price.
112
Name the two sweet wine denominations of Friuli.
Friuli Colli Orientali Picolit DOCG
Ramandolo DOCG
113
What style of wine is Friuli Colli Orientali Picolit DOCG?
Sweet wines from the white grape variety of Picolt that was once a competitor for Hungarian Tokai.
Very low yields, made by air drying.
114
What style of wine is Ramondolo DOCG?
Ramandolo DOCG is made from air-dried grapes of the Verduzzo variety.
115
What are the two main growers’ organisations for high quality wines in Friuli?
Consorzio Tutela Vini Collio
Consorzio Tutela Vini Friuli Colli Orientali e Ramandolo which oversees four DOC(G)s:
Friuli Colli Orientali, Ramandolo, Picolit, Rosazzo
116
What are the main competitors for Friulian wines?
Trentino-Alto Adige
Other parts of Italy producing inexpensive styles of Pinot Grigio
117
Where is Veneto?
The Veneto region extends from the southern
end of Lake Garda in the west to Venice in the east and ranges from the foothills of the Alps
in the north to the flat plains of the Po delta to the south.
118
Describe the climate of Veneto.
The climate in the Veneto is warm and moderately continental, with moderate rainfall.
119
What are the cooling influences on Veneto?
Cooling influences may come from altitude, exposing the vineyards in the foothills to a large diurnal temperature range, and from breezes from Lake Garda that cool the vineyards in the west of the region.
120
How do the River Adige and the Po River Valley affect vineyards in the area?
Encourage moist air and fog in the flat plaints, increasing the need for sprays.
121
What disease is increasing in veneto?
Esca
122
What are the four most grown white grape varieties of Veneto?
Glera
Pinot Grigio
Gargenega
Chardonnay
123
What are the four most grown black varieties of Veneto?
Corvina
Merlot
Rodinella
124
Where is Soave?
East of Verona, Veneto
125
What are the two geographical parts of Soave?
Foothills to the north and a flat plain in the south, near the River Adige.
126
What are the soils of the hillside sites of Soave? How do they influence wine production?
The hillside soils are limestone and clay and/or volcanic rocks (basalt). These soils are naturally cool, and this together with the influence of altitude, slows down ripening, leading to grapes with full flavour ripeness yet high acidity.
127
What is the principal grape variety of Soave?
Gargenega
128
Outline the viticultural characteristics of Gargenega.
* Vigorous and productive
* Late ripening (October).
* Susceptible to winter cold, mildew and botrytis
129
How is Garganega typically trained in Soave?
Traditionally, it was trained on a pergola system, which remains predominant, although trellising is now also employed.
130
Describe a wine made from Gargenega in Soave.
High acidity levels, medium body, and medium intensity of lemon, apple/pear, white pepper, and, in the ripest examples, stone fruit.
When aged, honey and almond characteristics.
131
How are quality wines from Garganega typically made in Soave?
A brief cold maceration period.
Cool fermentation at temperatures between 16–18°C (61–64°F).
Followed by a few months of aging on the lees before bottling.
A select number of producers may ferment and/or age their premium wines in oak barrels.
132
What are the four Soave DOC/DOCGs?
* Soave DOC
* Soave Classico DOC
* Soave Superiore DOCG
* Recioto de Soave DOCG
133
What are the permitted grape varieties of Soave DOC?
Min 70% Garganega, up to 30% Trebbiano di Soave or Chardonnay, max 5% any other authorised variety
134
Max. permitted yields for Soave DOC?
105hL/ha
135
What are the ageing requirements for Soave DOC?
After Dec 1 the year of harvest
136
How much of Soave's total production does Soave DOC account for?
80%
137
What area does Soave DOC cover?
The entire Soave region.
138
What area does Soave Classico DOC cover?
The hilly classico region of Soave
139
What are the permitted grape varieties of Soave Classico DOC?
Same as Soave DOC
Min 70% Garganega, up to 30% Trebbiano di Soave or Chardonnay, max 5% any other authorised variety
140
What are the max. permitted yields for Soave Classico DOC?
98hL/ha
141
What are the ageing requirements for Soave Classico DOC?
1 February of the year after harvest
142
How much of Soave's total production does Soave Classico DOC account for?
20%
143
What are the max. yields for Soave Superiore DOCG?
70hL/ha
144
What are the ageing requirements for Soave Superiore DOCG?
1 September the year after harvest
145
When was the Soave Superiore DOCG created?
The Soave Superiore DOCG was created in 2001 to boost quality but is largely ignored.
146
What style of wine is Recioto de Soave DOCG?
Recioto di Soave DOCG is a sweet passito wine, made from dried grapes with at least 70g/L of residual sugar, and sometimes noble rot. A sparkling version is also permitted.
147
Outline the businesses involved in Soave's wine industry?
Soave’s wine industry consists of small growers (average vineyard size of 2 hectares) and large bottlers, with less than 10% of wine bottled by small family wineries.
148
Name an important co-op in Soave.
The Cantina di Soave, the largest co-op, bottles nearly half of all Soave wine.
149
How has demand for Soave changed over the years?
Soave’s popularity peaked in the 1960s and 70s but has since lost ground to Pinot Grigio, leading some vineyards to replace old Garganega vines with Pinot Grigio.
150
Outline the export market of Soave.
Soave remains in demand in export markets, especially in Germany and the UK, with 85% of production exported. Over the last decade, while volume has declined, export values have held steady, suggesting slightly higher prices are being achieved.
151
The Soave Consorzio has implemented what in an effort to improve Soave’s positioning as a premium wine?
The Soave Consorzio has classified single vineyards across the region, focusing on soils, aspects, and elevations. In 2020, 33 single vineyards were officially approved, most of which are located in the Classico zone.
152
Name three quality producers of Soave.
Pieropan, Inama and Prà
153
Where is the Valpolicella region?
The Valpolicella area is immediately north of Verona
154
What are the subzones of Valpolicella DOC?
Classico Zone (covering the communes of Fumane, Negrar, Marano, Sant'Ambrogio and San Pietro in Cariano)
Valpantena
155
Describe the topography of Valpolicella.
The foothills in the north of the denomination have limestone and clay or volcanic soils which are cooler than those in the south.
The soils in the flatter south of the denomination are gravel and sand, which are warmer.
156
What is the most planted grape variety in Valpolicella?
Corvina Veronese
Makes up over half of the vineyards
157
Describe the viticultural characteristics of Corvina Veronese?
It's vigorous and high-yielding, with thick skins that make it ideal for drying. However, it is susceptible to diseases like downy mildew, botrytis, and esca, and is sensitive to drought. Corvina ripens mid to late season and is well-suited to pergola training
158
Why is pergola training suitable for Corvina?
Corvina is susceptble to downey and powdery mildew and esca.
Pergola training provides shade and better air circulation, reducing disease.
159
What characteristics does Corvina contribute to wine?
Corvina contributes violet, red cherry, red plum flavors, with herbal notes, low to medium tannins, and high acidity.
160
Give an example of a single variety Corvina wine?
Single-variety Corvina wines, like Allegrini’s La Poja, are rare but concentrated and barrel-aged.
161
True or false: Corvinone is NOT related to Corvina.
True
162
Outline the viticultural characteristics of Corvinone.
It has larger clusters (than Corvina) and is also prone to downy mildew. The main challenge is uneven ripening, requiring handpicking of individual bunches, which increases costs.
163
What does Corvinone contribute to the final wine?
Corvinone complements Corvina in blends by adding tannins and red cherry flavors. It also dries well for Appassimento.
164
Corvina and Corvinone are principal grape varieties of which region?
Valpolicella
165
Describe the Rodinella grape variety.
A reliable, productive variety that grows well on various soils. It is disease-resistant, making it suitable for drying, though it's susceptible to esca. Rondinella is used in Recioto wines due to its ability to accumulate sugar quickly, but its wines are often neutral, with light cherry fruit flavors.
166
Describe the Molinara grape variety.
A high-yielding variety, but its pale-colored wines have fallen out of favor in recent years. It contributes acidity, red fruit flavors, and adds lightness to blends. Its use has declined as producers and markets prefer wines with deeper color.
167
Describe the typical winemaking process for inexpensive Valpolicella wines.
After crushing the grapes, fermentation occurs at 20–25°C (68–77°F) to preserve primary aromas, with short maceration times (5–7 days) for light to medium tannins. These wines are typically aged in stainless steel or large neutral barrels for 6–8 months before release.
168
Describe the Appassimento method.
Grapes are picked early with around 11–11.5% potential alcohol, then dried for 3–4 months in well-ventilated lofts or trays to avoid mould. The drying process reduces the grape’s weight by about one third, concentrating sugars, alcohol, acidity, tannins, anthocyanins and flavours.
169
How does the appassimento method influence the final wine?
Concentrates the flavours, increases alcohol levels, and enhances sweetness or dryness
170
What are the common blending requirements for the Valpolicella designations?
Corvina and/or Corvinone must make up 45-95% of the blend.
Rondinella must be 5-30%.
Molinara and other authorised varieties can also be included.
171
What style of wine is Valpolicella DOC?
Inexpensive wines with low flavor concentration, bright purple tints, red cherry and rose aromas, and medium acidity. Wines are typically good quality and inexpensive to mid-priced.
172
What are the max. permitted yields for Valpolicella DOC?
84hL/ha
173
What is Valpolicella Classico DOC?
Grapes from the historic Classico zone, offering more concentrated wines, often good to very good quality and similarly priced.
174
What is Valpolicella DOC Valpantena?
Wines made from grapes grown in the Valpantena valley.
175
What is the Superiore designation in Valpolicella?
An optional designation for Valpolicella DOC and Valpolicella DOC Classico or Valpantena wines with slightly higher alcohol, aged for one year in wood. This is a higher grade of the basic DOC, distinct from Soave or Bardolino’s use of "Superiore" as a separate DOCG. These wines are ruby in color and more concentrated than basic Valpolicella.
176
Name three important producers making high quality Valpolicella wines.
Quintarelli
Dal Forno Romano
Allegrini
177
What is Recioto della Valpolicella DOCG?
A historic sweet wine made from semi-dried grapes. It has intense red and dried fruit flavors, a full body, and medium to high tannins. The wines are labor-intensive, premium-priced, and often small-scale.
178
What is Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG?
A modern dry wine made from semi-dried grapes with a higher alcohol content (minimum 14%). It is aged for at least two years (four for Riserva), with flavors of cherry, dried fruit, spice, and wood, balanced by high acidity. Quality ranges from good to outstanding, with prices from mid-range to premium.
179
What is Valpolicella Ripasso DOC?
A wine made by adding freshly pressed Valpolicella wine to the grape skins used in Amarone or Recioto fermentation for a second maceration. This process enhances color, flavor, and tannins. It has medium to full body, medium tannins, and flavors of fresh and stewed cherries and plums. Ripasso wines are good to very good quality and range from mid- to premium-priced.
180
Key details of Delle Venezie DOC.
Replaced Pinot Grigio delle Venezie IGP with stricter production rules.
Covers Veneto, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, and southern Trentino-Alto Adige, which together produce 85% of Italy's Pinot Grigio and 40% of the world's.
The new DOC has reduced maximum yields (from 152 to 126 hL/ha).
Wines are typically light to medium-bodied with apple, lemon, and citrus fruit, medium acidity, and are usually inexpensive to mid-priced.
181
Where are Bardolino DOC and Bardolino Superiore DOCG located?
Located near Lake Garda
182
What styles of wine are made in Bardolino DOC and Bardolino Superiore DOCG?
These wines are primarily light-bodied reds and rosés made from Corvina blends (35–95% Corvina) 5-40% Rodinella and up to 20% other blended varieties (eg Merlot). Max. 10% of any single variety, or max, 15% for Molinara.
183
What are the max. permitted yields for Bardolino?
Maximum yields are 84 hL/ha for DOC wines and lower for the Superiore
184
What is the name of the rosé produced in Bardolino?
The rosé, Chiaretto, is light and fresh with red-fruit flavors and a salmon color.
185
What is Bianco di Custoza DOC?
Located between Verona and Lake Garda, this DOC produces light, fresh, and aromatic white wines from a blend of Trebbiano Toscano, Garganega, Friulano, and Cortese.
The wines are mostly sold in Italy, with large cooperatives as the main producers.
186
Where is Lugana DOC located?
Located south of Lake Garda, extending into Lombardy, with vineyards mainly in Lombardy but most wines bottled in the Veneto.
187
What is the principal grape variety of Lugana DOC?
The primary grape is Turbiana (formerly Trebbiano di Lugana), which resembles Verdicchio.
188
Describe a wine from Lugana DOC.
The wines are moderately aromatic with notes of apple, citrus, and hazelnut, lively acidity, and a saline finish.
Some wines are aged in oak and can age for 5+ years.
189
What are the main markets for Lugana DOC?
60% of production is exported, and production has doubled in the last decade, with growing demand driven by local tourism.
