Northern Italy Flashcards
What type of agricultural system was prevalent in Italy during the 1950s?
Sharecropping
A system where individuals farm land owned by wealthy landowners, keeping part of the produce for themselves.
What were the consequences of corruption and insufficient production among farmers in 1950s Italy?
Government expropriated land and parceled it between sharecroppers.
What year were the Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC) laws enacted?
1963
What was a significant impact of the DOC laws on the Italian wine industry?
Government offered money to pull-up classic wine grape vines and replant with high-yielding vines.
What is the current number of DOC regions in Italy?
330
What does DOCG stand for and when was it established?
Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita, established in 1984.
What is the purpose of the IGT category in Italian wine law?
To allow for high-quality wines using non-indigenous varietals.
Which grape variety is most admired in Piedmont?
Nebbiolo
What are the two most important DOCGs in Piedmont?
Barolo and Barbaresco
What is the typical color of young Barolo wines?
Ruby to garnet
What is the primary characteristic of Barbaresco compared to Barolo?
Barbaresco tannins tend to soften quicker.
Fill in the blank: Barbera d’Asti and Barbera d’Alba are both _______.
DOCGs
What is a key flavor profile of Cortese wines from Gavi DOCG?
Lemon-like citrus flavors, tingly acidity.
What grape variety is associated with Roero DOCG?
Arneis
What is the minimum alcohol content for Sforzato di Valtellina?
14.5%
What method is used in the production of Amarone?
Appassimento method
Which region is predominantly known for its white wines in Italy?
Friuli
List three grapes commonly grown in Friuli for white wine production.
- Friulano
- Verduzzo
- Sauvignon Blanc
What is the name of the sweet wine made from Verduzzo in Friuli?
Ramandolo
What is the significance of the term ‘passito’ in Italian wine?
Refers to grapes that are dried before fermentation.
True or False: The wines of Friuli have noticeable Slavic and Germanic influences.
True
What type of wine is Lambrusco known for?
Fresh, sparkling red wine.
What are the two major sub-regions of Valtellina Superiore DOCG?
- Grumello
- Inferno
