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WSET3 > Northern Italy > Flashcards

Northern Italy Flashcards

1
Q

What is Italian for PDO

A

Denominazione di Origine Protetta

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2
Q

What are the more common traditional Italian terms used instead of PDO

A

Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC)

Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG)

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3
Q

What is the Italian for PGI

A

Indicazione Geografica Protetta

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4
Q

What is the more common traditional term used instead of PGI

A

Indicazione Geografica Tipica (IGT)

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5
Q

Apart from DOC and IGT labelling what are 2 other Italian labelling terms and what do they mean

A

Classico - means the wine is from the original classified center of the appellation
Resirva - means the wine has been produced with a higher level of alcohol and has been aged longer than the minimums stipulated by the appellation

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6
Q

On what plain are the vineyard regions of N Italy located

A

Plain of the River Po

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7
Q

What is the climate of N Italy

A

Moderate climate with short dry summers

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8
Q

What effect do the Alps and the large glacial lakes have on grape growing in N Italy

A

The Alps shelter the vineyards from rain and the lakes provide a moderating effect on the regions temperature

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9
Q

What problems can growers in areas nearer to the sea have

A

There is more rainfall nearer the sea so fungal disease can be an issue

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10
Q

What is the complex trellising system that was traditionally used in N Italy. Describe it

A

Pergola. Vine canopy is trained high with the grapes hanging down beneath a horizontal canopy of leaves. This protects the grapes from sun burn and also keeps air moving

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11
Q

What is now a more common canopy management system

A

VSP

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12
Q

When are pergolas still used

A

When high acid / low sugar is required ( such as when making sparkling wines ). Also when the grapes are to be dried because they must be totally rot free

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13
Q

Alto Adige is centered around which town. Where are the grapes planted

A

Bolzano. On terraces on the SE and SW facing slopes of the river Adige

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14
Q

Describe the climate of Alto Adige and what kinds of grapes it is suited to growing

A

Moderate with short dry summers. High altitude results in a large diurnal range which is ideal for elegant light bodied reds and aromatic high acid whites

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15
Q

What is the main white grape produced in Alto Adige. Name 2 others

A

Pinot Grigio. Chardonnay & Pinot Blanc

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16
Q

Describe Pinot Grigio from Alto Adige

A

Dry, light to med body, high acid, citrus and green fruit flavors

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17
Q

What is the main red varietal of Alto Adige. What is its flavor profile

A

Schiava. Light and fruity, low to med tannin flavors of raspberry and plum

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18
Q

How are all wines from Alto Adige labelled

A

Alto Adige DOC

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19
Q

Where is Trentino located in relation to Alto Adige. How does the vineyard location and climate compare

A

Located to the S of AA. Vines are planted on the valley floor as well as on the sides of the valley. Climate is similar to AA but slightly warmer

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20
Q

What geographical feature influences Trentino’s climate. Why is is warmer than AA

A

Trentino is sheltered from the cooling effect of Lake Garda by the mountains to the West. It is also further south than AA

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21
Q

What are the white grapes of Trentino. Describe them with respect to the different vineyard geographies

A

Chardonnay and Pinot Grigio. Wines from the valley floor tend to be med body, med acid with ripe stone fruit. Those on the valley walls are at higher altitude and more similar to AA

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22
Q

What are the black grapes of Trentino…where are they planted

A

Merlot and Teroldego. On the valley floor and mid slope

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23
Q

Describe wine made from Teroldego

A

Deeply colored, med to high tannin, med to full body, high acid flavors of dark fruit. Oak aged.

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24
Q

How are the wines of Trentino labelled

A

Trentino DOC

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25
What is the wine region located in the NE corner of Italy. Describe the climate
Fruili Venezia Giulia. In the N of the region the climate is moderate continental cooled by the Alps. Further south near the Adriatic the climate is warmer Maritime
26
What is the major white grape of FVG. Name one other. Describe the wines
Pinot Grigio. Med to Full body, juicy peach and tropical fruit Friulano - med to high acid, pear, red apples and herbs
27
What is the red grape of FVG. Describe the wine
Merlot - med body, med acidity and tannin, ripe red fruit with a hint of toasty oak
28
How are wines made from grapes grown on the plain to the south labelled. What style are they
Friuli Graves DOC. They tend to be simple fruity whites
29
How are wines made from grapes grown in the hills labelled. What style are they
Collio DOC and Colli Orientali DOC. Known for making more concentrated premium whites ( Coli Orientali also makes reds )
30
Veneto is home to 2 of Italys best known wines. What are they
Valpolicella and Soave
31
Where is Veneto located
extends from the southern end of lake garda in the west to to Venice in the east. From the foothills of the Alps in the north to the plains of the river Po in the south
32
What is Veneto's climate. What are some local influences
Warm with moderate rainfall. Cooling winds off Lake Garda in the west. Vineyards in the north experience large diurnal swings due to altitude. Vineyards in the southern plains experience moist air and fog from the Po so rot management is important
33
What grapes are grown on the flat plains in the south of Veneto. What are they like typically. How are they labelled
Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Garganega, Trebbiano, Corvina, Merlot. These are high yield, simple, fruity and inexpensive wines. They are labelled Veneto IGT
34
What sparkling wine is made in Veneto
Prosecco
35
What is the appellation to the east of Verona. Describe its vineyard locations geographically
Soave. Foothills to the north and plains to the south near the river Po
36
Describe why the wines grown in the north are different to those grown in the south
Vineyards in the foothills are at elevation. They are have clay / limestone soils which are cool. This slows ripening and the grapes achieve full flavor ripeness while retaining high acid. In the south vines are planted on sandy alluvial soil which aids ripening. The wines are fruitier with medium acidity
37
What is the main grape of Veneto. Describe the wines
Garganega. Med to High acid, Med body, red apples, pears, stone fruit and sometimes white pepper
38
What does the labelling Soave Classico DOC ell you
That the grapes were grown in the foothills to the north and are therefore of higher quality
39
Where is Valpolicella. What is it's topography like
North west of Verona. Similar to Soave. Grapes from North and South are different in same way as Soave
40
What is the main grape of Valpolicella, Describe the grape. Describe the wine
Corvina. Thin skinned, moderate color, low to med tannin, high acid. Simple fruity wines, rarely oaked, red cherry flavors, light tannin
41
Local grape varieties can be added to Valpolicella for what purpose
To increase color and tannin
42
What method is widely used in Valpolicella to increase structure and flavor
Passito. Drying of early picked grapes while they are still high in acid
43
What are the 2 types of wines made from dried grapes in Valpolicella
Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG Dry or off dry, high alcoholm ed to high tannin concentrated red berry and spice flavors. Aged in large oak Recioto della Valpolicella DOCG - sweet, intense red fruit, med to high tannin, full body, high alcohol
44
What is the sweet wine made in Soave from dried grapes
Recioto di Soave DOCG
45
Describe the Ripasso method
Unpressed skins from a fermenting Amarone are added to a Valpolicella which has finished fermenting. The Amarone skins continue to ferment producing a wine of greater color, flavor and structure than the original
46
What are wines labelled that have undergone the Ripasso method. Describe them
Valpolicella Ripasso DOC. Med to high tannin, med to full body, flavors of stewed red cherry and plums
47
What region is in the far NW of Italy. What is its climate
Piemonte. Moderate continental. Long cold winters and summers that can be prone to thunder, hail and fog.
48
What geographical features influence Piemonte's climate
Mountains in the N protect from Northern winds and rain. River Po in the south and Lake Maggiore in the north moderate
49
What is the height range of the Piemonte foothills
150 - 600 m
50
What are the white and black grapes of Piemonte
Nebbiolo, Dolcetto, Barbera, Cortese & Muscato
51
Around which 2 towns are most of the best appellations grouped
Asti and Alba
52
True or False. There is no IGT or IGP for the region of Piemonte
True
53
Describe the wine region of Barolo
A horseshoe shaped valley with 300-500 m south facing slopes
54
What are the typical flavors of Barolo
Sour cherry, herbs and dried flowers. High acid, high tannin, pale color, full bodied
55
Give an example of a single village and a single cru Barolo
Barolo Serralunga d'Asti DOCG | Barolo Cannubi DOCG
56
How long must Barolo be aged
3 years with 18 months being in oak
57
What tertiary flavors does Barolo take on with age
Truffle tar and leather
58
Why does Barbaresco ripen earlier than Barolo
Barbaresco's south facing slopes are lower (200-400m) and there is a moderating effect from a river.
59
How long must Barbaresco be aged
2 years with 9 months being in oak
60
How does Barbaresco differ in flavor from Barolo
It is more fruity and less perfumed
61
Name 2 other red wines made around the region
Dolcetto D'Alba DOC and Barbera d'Asti DOCG
62
Describe a Barbera d'Asti ( and the grape )
late ripening with medium to deep color, low to medium tannin, high acid, flavors of red cherry, plum and black pepper. Made in 2 styles - young and fruity or aged in oak to give spicy flavors. Can age
63
Describe a Dolcetto ( and the grape )
Earlier ripening than Nebbiolo or Barbera. Deep purple color, med - high tannin, black plum, red cherry and dried herbs. Can age
64
What allows the Gavi ( Cortese ) grapes to ripen slowly and fully
Altitude and sea breezes
65
How might Gavi be labelled
Gavi DOCG Cortese d'Gavi DOCG Gavi di Gavi DOCG
66
Describe Gavi
Pale, light body, apple, pears, citrus, high acid

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