Northern Italy Flashcards
What does DOCG stand for
Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita
What year was the first DOCG awarded
1980, Brunello di Montalcino, Barolo and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano (upgraded from DOC)
What did the 1992 Goria’s Law stipulate
Established IGT (Indicazione Geografica Tipica), a more relaxed regulation with more freedom for winemakers
What year did the first IGTs appear
1994, often varietally labeled
PGI (Protected Geographical Indication)
EU designation for IGT wines
PDO (Protected Designation of Origin)
EU designation for DOC and DOCG wines
How many DOCGs are there currently
74, 24 in the last 5 years, Nizza is the 74th
What three provinces of Piedmont grow most of the grapes of the region
Asti, Alessandria, Cuneo
Main hills of three best provinces of Piedmont
Monferrato and Langhe
Sori
Prized southern exposures of Langhe and Monferrato hills, home to Nebbiolo
What are the three main grapes of Piedmont
Nebbiolo, Barbera and Dolcetto
Dolcetto
“little sweet one”, earliest to ripen, produces, tannic fruity wines lower in acid designed for youthful consumption
Barbera
Most planted red grape in Piedmont, high acidity but low tannin
Indigenous red grapes of Piedmont
Brachetto, Grignolino, Ruche, Croatina, Vespolina, Freisa
What is Piedmont’s most planted white grape
Moscato Bianco, used mostly for sparkling wines of Asti
Indigenous white grapes of Piedmont
Cortese, Arneis, Erbaluce, Favorita (Vermentino)
What region in Italy has the most DOC zones
Piedmont (over 40 DOCS and 16 DOCGS in 2010)
What river do the Regions of Barolo and Barbaresco lie on
Tanaro River in Cuneo Province, inside the larger Langhe DOC
Tar, truffle, rose petals and dried fruits
Classic aromas of Barolo and Barbaresco
What are the five main communes of Barolo
La Morra, Barolo, Serralunga d’Alba, Monforte d’Alba and Castiglione Falletto, 90% of the DOCGs land area
Tortonian soils
high proportion of calcareous marl, in vineyards of La Morra and Barolo, softer wine
Helvetian soils (Serravallian)
sandstone, common in Monforte d’Alba and Serralunga d’Alba, structured wines
Barolo aging requirements
38 months from November 1st of harvest, 18 in oak, 62 months total aging for Riserva
Traditionalists vs Modernists of Barolo
Giacomo Conterno, Bartolo Mascarello, Giuseppe Rinaldi vs Paolo Scavino, Luciano Sandrone, Elio Altare
Three main towns of Barbaresco production
Barbaresco, Neive and Treiso
Barbaresco aging requirements
Two years, 9 months in cask, or four years for Riserva
Angelo Gaja
Famous Barbaresco wine maker, ushered in modern techniques and achieved cult status. Now releases his Nebbiolo based wines as Langhe DOC
Menzioni geografiche aggiuntive
geographic areas, delineate superior exposures
Barolo Chinato
DOCG aromatized wine flavored with quinine, Capellano is the standard-bearer
Roero DOCG
NW bank of Tanaro River opposite Barolo and Barbaresco, 95% Nebbiolo in reds, White wines from Arneis, sandy soils produce lighter reds than Barolo or Barbaresco
Gattinara and Ghemme
Two Nebbiolo based DOCG red wine producers, straddle Sesia River, Vespolina and Bonarda blended with Nebbiolo, lighter and more acidic than B/B
Spanna
Nebbiolo in Gattinara and Ghemme
Lessona, Sizzano, Carema
DOC zones near Ghemme producing similar Nebbiolo blends
What year did Barbera become a DOCG
2008, with Barbera d’Asti and Barbera del Monferrato Superiore in Monferrato hills east of the Langhe
Ruche di Castagnole Monferrato
Third DOCG of Monferrato hills in 2010, produced from local Ruche grape
Nizza
Fourth DOCG of Monferrato hills, End of 2014, newest DOCG, for 100% Barbera wines