Northern Italy Flashcards
Where is Prosecco DOC made?
NE Italy around Veneto and Friuli
Where is Prosecco DOCG made?
What is the terrain and soil like?
NW of Venice
From grapes grown between the towns of Conegliano and Valdobbiadene
Steep limestone hills
What grape is used to make Prosecco?
Glera
What does Prosecco taste like?
Medium acidity, fresh Green Apples, Pears and Melon
What terms indicate that wine has been made from exceptional vineyard sites in Conegliano-Valdobbiadene?
Cartizze and Rive
In which region/appellation was the very first Italian school for wine growing and oenology created?
Veneto / Conegliano
Does Italy produce more red wine or white wine?
White
On the banks of which lake are Valpolicella wine grapes grown?
Lake Garda
Which wine region is the most northerly in Italy?
Alto Adige
Valpolicella DOC is from which region?
Based on which 4 grapes?
Veneto
Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella, Molinara
The highest quality proescco is produced in which specific area of Veneto?
Conegliano - Valdobiaddene
What’s this Ripasso all about then?
Literally meaning ‘re-passed’ wine is racked off almost fermented Amarone leaving the skins. The skins are added to a vat of Valpolicella that’s already finished fermenting. The traces of yeast on the Amarone skins re-start fermentation and the skins give off more colour, flavour and tannin. The finished wine has a med~full body, med to hi tannin with flavours of stewed cherries and plums and is labelled Valpolicella Ripasso DOC
What are the characteristics of Pinot Grigio:
At altitude? On the plains?
Altitude - dry, light to med body, hi acid, citrus and green fruit
On the plains - Med body, med acid with ripe stone fruit flavours
Where is Friuli - Venezia Giulia, what is the climate like and what grapes are mainly grown there and what is the style like?
NE corner of Italy, stretches from foothills of Alps to near the Adriatic coast.
Near the Alps - Moderate continental, cooled by mountain air
Nearer the coast - Warm Maritime
Mainly white grapes; Pinot Grigio, Friulano, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc - med to full body, juicy peach and tropical fruit
Also some Merlot
Besides schiava, which Italian black grape is mainly used in Trentino?
What are its characteristics (color, tannin, acid, flavors)?
Teroldego
Deep colour, med~hi tannin, hi acid, aromas of black fruit, normally matured in oak.
What are IGT wines?
PGI wines of Italy IGT = Indicazione Geographica Tipica
What does ‘Riserva’ on an Italian wine mean?
Wine with both higher alc and longer ageing than the minimum for the appelation
Which red grape dominates in Alto Adige?
What types of wine are produced (body, tannin, flavors)?
Vernatsch (Schiava) - Produces light fruity wines, low ~ med tannin, flavors raspberries and plums.
Where are the vineyards of Alto Adige situated and what is the climate like?
NE Italy in foothills of Alps. Vineyards on SE and SW facing terraces on valley sides of River Adige. Climate - Moderate with short summers and little rain thru growing season. Large diurnal range due to altitude
Which is Italy’s most northerly wine region and what is mainly produced there?
Alto Adige
Aromatic whites mainly from Pinot Grigio but also Gewürztraminer, Chardonnay and Pinot Blanc
In Northern Italy how were grapes traditionally trained and, increasingly, how are they trained now? What is a major benefit of this change?
Traditionally - high yield vines planted with low density. Pergola, vine canopy with grapes hanging down = good airflow = less rot and shade against grape sunburn. Still used for high acid, low sugar grapes e.g. For sparkling wine. Modern - VSP training allows higher density but fewer grapes per vine = better quality grapes. Overall increased prodn per hectare
Generally, what is the climate of Northern Italy? What role do the Alps play? What is the influence of rivers e.g. River Po and lakes e.g. Lake Garda? What happens in areas nearer the sea and name one risk
Moderate climate with dry, short, summers The Alps provide a Northern barrier providing shelter from Northerly rain Rivers and glacial lakes give a moderating influence to hotter inland areas Nearer the sea, higher rainfall increasing the risk of fungal disease = more spraying
Where is Veneto? What are its two most famous appellations? What else does it produce What is the climate like and are there any risks?
NE Italy, from S end of Lake Garda to Venice in the east Soave and Valpolicella Also produces bulk wines from Pinot Grigio, chardonnay, merlot, corvina, gargenega and trebbiano labelled as Veneto IGT Climate - Warm with moderate rain, cooler at altitude with diurnal diff, also W cooled by breezes from Lake Garda Flat plain - warm air and for from R. Po = RISK disease and rot = more spraying
What is the soil like in Valpolicella (foothills/plains)?
What is the main grape grown there?
How is the wine labelled?
What is sweet Valpolicella called?
Foothills - Limestone and clay = Cool + altitude = slow ripen = higher acidity
On the plain - Sandy alluvial = warmer = fruitier and med acidity
Corvina
Hills - Valpolicella Classico / Plain - Valpolicella
Recioto Della Valpolicella DOCG
What is Passito and what is the most famous wine made from it in Valpolicella? There’s also a sweet wine made using the same method, what’s that called?
A process whereby grapes picked early when still have high acidity, dried indoors to concentrate colour, sugars and flavour Most famous - Amarone Della Valpolicella Sweet - Recioto Della Valpolicella DOCG
Where is Chardonnay largely grown Veneto, and what is it used for?
Largely grown on Veneto plains and used in IGT wines
What is the soil like in Soave?
What is the main grape grown there?
How is the wine labelled?
What is sweet Soave called?
Foothills - Limestone and clay = Cool + altitude = slow ripen = higher acidity
On the plain - Sandy alluvial = warmer = fruitier and med acidity
Gargenega
Hills - Soave Classico / Plain - Soave Recioto di Soave DOCG
What are the 3 main DOCs of Friuli - Venezia Giulia and what is the style of wine from each?
Friuli Grave DOC - wines from the plain, white, simple, fruity
Collio DOC and Colli Orientali DOC - Hills, more concentrated whites
What are the acronyms for Italian PDO wines, what do they mean and what conditions are attached?
DOC - Denominazione di Origine Controllata
Subject to: Geographical boundaries, Limits on grape varieties and rules on production methods.
DOCG - Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita.
As above plus Must be bottled in area of production and subject to Ministry of Agriculture tasting
What is Corvina like and where is it mainly used?
Black grape, thin skin, moderate colour, low~med tannin with hi acidity (more at altitude) giving red cherry flavour. Mainly used in Valpolicella
Where is Trentino DOC, where are vines planted and what is mainly grown there?
Just south of Alto Adige
Vines on both slopes and valley floor
Mainly Pinot Grigio plus some Chardonnay
What is the style of Amarone Della Valpolicella?
What is the min. ABV?
What is the min. aging required?
Dry or off dry, full body, hi alc, med~hi tannin Intense with concentrated red berry and spice.
Aged in large oak / smaller barriques for more modern producers.
min. 14%
2 years
Where is Gargenega primarily grown?
What are it’s characteristics:
At altitude? On the plain?
Gargenega = Soave
Pear, red apple, stone fruit @ altitude - Full flavour ripeness with high acidity - Soave Classico
On the plains - Fruitier with medium acidity - Soave
Which French red grape is widely planted in Trentino and Veneto?
Merlot
Who is credited with ushering in an area of clean, white wine-making in Friuli in the 1960’s?
Mario Schiopetto
Orange wine was revived in the late 1990s by producers in which region of Italy?
Made in what tradition?
Spearheaded by which producer?
Friuli.
Slavic Tradition.
Josko Gravner
Trentino - Alto-Adige contains ___ DOCGs.
Over ___% of wine is DOC level.
0 DOCGS.
Over 75%.
Vernatsch is a synonym for which grape?
Schiava / Trollinger
Kerner is a cross of which 2 grapes?
Riesling and Schiava
What are the 3 primary red grapes of Trentino - Alto-Adige?
What are 4 secondary red grapes?
Primary: Schiava, Lagrein, Teroldego.
Secondary: Pinot Nero, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot
4 Main white varietals grown in Trentino - Alto-Adige?
4 German/Austrian varietals also found there?
4 Main: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Bianco.
4 German/Austrian: Müller-Thurgau, Veltliner, Sylvaner, Kerner
Lambrusco is produced in which 2 regions?
Emilia-Romagna and Lombardia.
What are the 3 main varieties of Lambrusco used to make Lambrusco wines?
- Lambrusco Grasparossa.
- Lambrusco Salamino.
- Lambrusco di Sorbara
What is the most planted variety in Alto-Adige?
Schiava
What is the smallest wine-producing region of Italy by volume?
Valle d’Aosta
When was Amarone dell Valpolicella finally awarded DOCG status?
2010
What 3 rules about Franciacorta Satén make it different?
- Can only be made from white grapes.
- Is bottled at lower pressure (less than 5 atmospheres)
- Can only be Brut.
The Breganze Torcolato DOCG produces passito styles from which grape variety?
Vespaiola
The following DOCG zones are located in which regions / based on which grapes?
Torgiano Rosso Riserva DOCG
Franciacorta DOCG
Brachetto d’Acqui DOCG
Bardolino Superiore DOCG
Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco DOCG
Torgiano Rosso Riserva DOCG: Umbria / min. 70% Sangiovese
Franciacorta DOCG: Lombardia / Pinot Nero, Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco
Brachetto d’Acqui DOCG: Piemonte
Bardonlino Superiore DOCG: Veneto / Corvina, Molinara, Rondinella
Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco DOCG: Veneto
For each of the following appellations, identify the correct region and put them in order from West to East (1= westernmost, 5= easternmost):
A. Oltrepó Pavese Metodo Classico DOCG
B. Ruché di Castagnole Monferrato DOCG
C. Gambellara DOC
D. Lago di Caldaro/Kalterersee DOC
E. Collio DOC
- Ruché di Castagnole Monferrato DOCG (Piemonte)
- Oltrepó Pavese Metodo Classico DOCG (Lombardia)
- Lago di Caldaro/Kalterersee DOC (Alto-Adige)
- Gambellara DOC (Veneto)
- Collio DOC (Friuli-Venezia Giulia)
Identify the regions that these grape varieties are indigenous to:
- Ribolla Gialla
- Teroldego
- Pignoletto
- Freisa
- Rondinella
- Friuli - Venezia Giulia
- Trentino (Alto-Adige)
- Emilia-Romagna
- Piemonte
- Veneto
Identify the DOC(G)s that the following producers are most famously associated with:
- Giuseppe Quintarelli
- Elvio Cogno
- Ca’ del Bosco
- Pieropan
- Ar.Pe.Pe
- Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG
- Barolo DOCG
- Franciacorta DOCG
- Soave Classico DOC
- Valtellina Superiore DOCG
What are the 5 sub-zones of Valtellina Superiore DOCG?
Valgella, Inferno, Grumello, Maroggia, Sassella
What grapes are used for Edi Keber Collio Bianco?
What is the elevage?
Located just a stone’s throw from the ____ border.
- 70% Friulano, 15% Malvasia Istriana, 15% Ribolla Gialla.
- Matured on the lees for 6 months in cement. 20% of the Friulano which is kept in 10 year old tonneaux for 6 months.
- Slovenian border.
Where is the Gravner winery located?
What is the name of the winemaker?
What grapes are used in the “Breg” wine and how is it aged?
What appellation does it fall under?
North of Gorizia, Friuli- Venezia Giulia, Italy.
Josko Gravner.
- Riesling Italico, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon and Chardonnay, fermented separately but blended and aged together. long maceration, wild yeasts, no temperature control; after the extended cuvaison and additional five months in amphorae, aged for six years in large oak barrels; bottled unfined and unfiltered.
- IGT Venezia-Giulia
In which region is Oltrepo Pavese Metodo Classico DOCG located?
What grapes are permitted?
Lombardia
Pinot Nero, Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio
The Enantio grape is indigenous to:
Most common synonym is:
Trentino / Veneto
Lambrusco a Foglio Fastagliata (not genetically related to other Lambrusco varieties)
What does the Italian term “Propaggine” refer to?
What is a condition required for this to occur?
Essentially “self-propogating” vines.
A method of vine propogation whereby the young cane of an older vine is guided into the ground, resulting in it spawning a new vine.
Can only work in Phylloxera-resistant soils.
Which region is the grape Fumin indigenous to?
It is widely recognized as:
2 grapes it is (believed to be) related to:
The name Fumin is derived from:
Valle d’Aosta
Recognized as the highest-quality native grape to the Valle d’Aosta.
Parent of Vuillermin, brother of Petit Rouge.
Fumo, or “smoky”, referring to the ash-white bloom that covers the bunches of grapes.
Fumin wines can generally be described as:
3 Top Producers:
Violet in color.
Perfumed and spicy, black pepper, sweet spices.
Balance of red fruit, acid, extract and tannins.
Age-worthy and capable of improving over time.
Les Crêtes / Di Francesco Gasperi / Lo Triolet
The Valpantena subzone of the Valpolicella region lies in what direction from the Classico subzone?
East
What is the minimum abv allowed for Amarone della Valpolicella?
What is the max. RS allowed (with 2 exceptions)?
-14%
12g/L
For every 0.10% of alcohol exceeding 14%, an additional 0.10 g/l of residual sugar is allowed
For every 0.10% of alcohol exceeding 16%, an additional 0.15 g/l of residual sugar is allowed
What are the 7 designated sub-zones of Valle d’Aosta DOC?
What color wines are permitted at each?
Arnad Montjovet (Red)
Blanc de Morgex et de la Salle (White)
Chambave (Red/White)
Donnas (Red)
Enfer d’Arvier (Red)
Nus (Red/White)
Torrette (Red)
Petit Rouge is the principal grape variety in the red wines of which Valle d’Aosta DOC subzones?
Enfer d’Arvier
Torette
Chambave
Which of the following Valle d’Aosta DOC subzones produces dry varietal Moscato Bianco wines?
Chambave
Describe Asti
Sweet, low abv (7%) grapey, fruity, peachy and floral
Where is Asti made?
Piemonte, NW Italy
Name 3 grapes beginning with the letter ‘B’ from the Piedmont region?
Barbera, Bonarda, Brachetto
Where is Gavi located, what is made there and what grape is used?
How are the wines usually made?
Located SE Piemonte
White wines made from Cortese
Normally fermented protectively in S. Steel but some ferment old oak vessels with lees stirring
Where is Piemonte, what is the climate like and what are potential climatic risks?
What are the predominant red grapes and at what altitude are the grapes grown?
NW Italy with Alps to the north providing a ‘rain shadow’ giving protection from northerly rain and winds.
Climate is moderate continental with long cold winters and summers with a risk of thunderstorms, hail and fog.
Grapes are Nebbiolo, Barbera and Dolcetto and grown from 150~500 metres
What is Cortese, what does it taste like and where is it, predominantly used?
White grape, high acidity, floral, pale, light, body with aromas citrus, green apple and pear. Mainly used in Gavi Usually temp control S. Steel but can be barrel ferment with lees stirring
What grapes are mainly grown in Asti and Alba and what are the wines produced?
Barbera and Dolcetto
Barbera d’Alba DOC and the higher quality Barbera d’Asti DOCG
Dolcetto d’Alba DOC
What is Dolcetto like and where is it mainly used?
Black grape, likes cooler sites.
Deep colour, high tannin (double t in its name!), med acidity.
Flavors of black plums, red cherries and dried herbs.
Drunk young or aged
Mainly used Dolcetta d’Alba DOC or higher quality Dogliani DOCG
What is Barbera, what’s it like and where is it mainly used?
Black grape, similar to Nebbiolo but lower tannin and higher acidity (2 x a’s in its name stand for acid and acid!), med to deep colour. Aromas of red cherries, plums and sometimes black pepper. Can be youthful and fruity or barrel aged for spicy flavours. Mainly Barbera d’Alba DOC and the higher quality Barbera d’Asti DOCG
Piemonte contains ___ DOCGs and ___DOCs.
17 DOCGs.
42 DOCs.
Alta Langa DOCG is located in which region?
Is made in which style only?
From which grapes?
Normale / Riserva wines are aged for how long?
- Piemonte
- Traditional Method Sparkling.
- min. 90% Pinot Nero and Chardonnay
- Normale: 30 months on the lees. / Riserva: 36 months.
Which red grape variety has the most vineyard acreage planted in Piemonte?
Barbera.
What are 3 synonyms for Nebbiolo and what are their localities?
Chiavennasca: Valtellina (Lombardia)
Spanna: Alto Piemonte (Ghemme, Gattinara)
Picotendre/Picoteneur: Valle d’Aosta
What is the principal grape variety used in the wines of the Carema, Boca, and Lessona DOCs?
Nebbiolo
The region of Alto Piemonte runs along which river?
What are the names of the West and East sides of that river?
Sesia River
West: Coste della Sesia
East: Coste della Novaresi
8 sub-regions of Alto Piemonte (6 DOCs, 2 DOCGs)
DOC: Boca, Bramaterra, Carema, Fara, Lessona, Sizzano
DOCG: Gattinara, Ghemme
Langhe DOC wines can be made in which styles?
Bianco, Rosso, Rosato
“Rossj-Bass” is a wine produced by ___ in which region?
What is the origin of the wine’s name?
What grapes are used?
How is the wine aged?
Angelo Gaja, Piemonte
Named for Angelo Gaja’s younger daughter Rossana (Rossj). Bass is Piedmontese for the Italian basso, meaning low, a name derived from the vineyard’s position.
95% Chardonnay, 5% Sauvignon Blanc
Aged in barriques for 6 months
What are the 3 varietals permitted for Ghemme DOCG?
Spanna (Nebbiolo) / Uva Rara / Vespolina
Who produces the wine “Quarz”?
What is it made with and how is it aged?
Cantina Terlan
100% Sauvignon Blanc
9 months partly in big barrels (50%), 9 months in steel (50%).
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Who makes the wine “Alzero”?
What is it made with?
What is unique about it?
Giuseppe Quintarelli
40% Cabernet Sauvignon / 40% Cabernet Franc / 20% Merlot
This wine is made in the style of Amarone, but with Bordeaux varietals.
Who produces the wine “Annamaria Clementi”?
What type of wine is it?
Who is it named after?
How is it made?
Ca’ del Bosco
Franciacorta DOCG (Vintage) / The company’s top wine.
Named after the founder of Ca’ del Bosco
55% Chardonnay / 25% Pinot Bianco / 20% Pinot Nero
9 years sur lie
What are the 2 grape varieties allowed for Franciacorta Satén?
Chardonnay and Pinot Bianco
Which region is the Raboso grape indigenous to?
What is the origin of its name?
Name 2 appellations which use it as a principle grape:
Veneto
The name comes from the Venetian word for “angry”, referring to the fierce tannins and acidity present in young wines made from this grape.
Piave Malanotte DOCG / Friularo di Bagnoli DOCG
Which appellation is the producer Ar. Pe. Pe. most associated with?
Their winemaking style is considered:
The name of the winery refers to:
Valtellina Superiore DOCG
Traditional; long macerations and long aging in large, old barrels.
Short for Arturo Pelizzatti Perego, 4th generation owner of Ar. Pe. Pe.
The producer Malvira is most associated with which appellation?
Roero DOCG
The producer Braida is most associated with which appellation?
Their most famous bottling is:
Why is it significant?
Barbera d’Asti DOCG
Bricco dell’Uccellone
This bottling elevated the status of Barbera wines by aging the wine in 225L barriques, lending it more complexity, richness and concentration.
The producer Rovellotti is most associated with which appellation?
Ghemme DOCG
The producer La Scolca is most associated with which appellation?
Their most famous bottling is:
Gavi DOCG
“Black Label” Gavi DOCG
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What are 3 requirements for a Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco DOCG to be labeled “Rive”?
- Must be hand-harvested.
- Must be vintage-dated.
- Must list 1 of 43 approved “Rive” crus.
What are the aging requirements for Amarone della Valpolicella (normale and riserva)?
What are the oak-aging requirements?
Normale: Min. 2 years
Riserva: Min. 4 years
No oak requirements
The Cialla subzone can be found in which DOCG?
Colli Orientali del Picolit DOCG
The Terrano grape is part of the ____ family.
Used to make wines from which appellation?
Refosco
Carso DOC
Select the appellation(s) permitting sparkling wine production.
A. Valle d’Aosta Blanc de Morgex et de la Salle
B. Erbaluce di Caluso
C. Grignolino d’Asti
D. Roero
E. Lago di Caldaro/Kalterersee
A. Valle d’Aosta Blanc de Morgex et de la Salle
B. Erbaluce di Caluso
D. Roero
The single subzone of Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco DOCG is known as _____, and is known for producing some of the highest quality wines in the region.
Cartizze
What are the 2 grapes permitted in the Alta Langa DOCG?
Pinot Nero
Chardonnay
In which region is the Moscato di Scanzo DOCG appellation located?
What type of wine is this?
Lombardia
Red, sweet, passito dessert wine.
Put the following grapes in order of their ripening schedule (1 = earliest, 3 = latest).
Nebbiolo
Barbera
Dolcetto
- Dolcetto
- Barbera
- Nebbiolo
List 3 producers of Pinot Nero in Alto-Adige:
Abbazia di Novacella (“Praepositus” line)
Falkenstein
Elisabetta Dalzocchio
List 3 varieties besides Barbera that are permitted in Barbera d’Asti DOCG:
Grignolino / Dolcetto / Freisa
What are the 5 subzones of the Valpolicella Classico DOC?
Fumane / Negrar / Marano / Sant’Ambrogio / San Pietro in Cariano