Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Introductory Sommelier > Northern Italy > Flashcards

Northern Italy Flashcards

1
Q

How many independent wine growing regions are in Italy?

A

20

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What seas surround Italy?

A

Tyrrhenian
Ligurian
Ionian
Adriatic

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What mountain range runs down the center of the Italian peninsula?

A

The Apeennine Mountains

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What is the climate in Italy?

A

From cool continental in the north to warm Mediterranean in the south

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

How many grape varieties are in Italy?

A

Over 1,300 registered grape varieties, hundreds of them indigenous to Italy

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

How many registered vineyards are in Italy?

A

Over 900,000 registered vineyards

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What is vino?

A

Generic wines without geographic indication that are labeled with or without a vintage. Can be blanco, rosso or rosato.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What is IGP/IGT?

A

Wines with a geographic indication. Indicazione Geografica Protetta or Indicazione Geografica Tipica

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What is DOP? What does it include?

A

Denominazione di Origine Protetta includes DOC and DOCG

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What is DOC?

A

Denominazione di Origine Controllata system introduced in 1963 as a means of formalizing and protecting Italian wine appellations.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What is DOCG?

A

Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita which is the strictest regulation possible. Quality and authenticity are guaranteed.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

List the Italian wine classifications from least regulated to most

A

Vino
IGT
DOC
DOCG

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What does “Classico” mean?

A

A traditional, theoretically superior vineyard area within a DOC or DOCG

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What does “Riserva” mean?

A

“Reserve” but it is legally defined. This term usually indicates extended aging in cask or bottle and can denote lower yields and higher alcohol depending on the appellation.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What does “Superiore” mean?

A

Denotes a higher level of alcohol and longer aging depending on appellation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What does “Spumante” mean?

A

Sparkling

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What does “Frizzante” mean?

A

Lightly sparkling

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What does “Metodo Classico” mean?

A

Traditional method for making sparkling wines

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What does “Secco” mean?

A

Dry

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

What does “Amabile” mean?

A

Off-dry

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What does “Dolce” mean?

A

Sweet

22
Q

What does “Recioto/Passito” mean?

A

Wine made from dried grapes that is often sweet

23
Q

What are the northern wine regions in Italy?

A 
Piedmont
Valle d'Aosta
Lombardy
Trentino-Alto Adige
Veneto
Friuli-Venezia Giulia
Emilia-Romagna
Liguria
24
Q

What does the word “Piedmont” mean in French?

A

Foot of the mountain

25
Q

What countries does Piedmont border?

A

France and Switzerland

26
Q

What mountains are to the north and west of Piedmont?

A

The Alps

27
Q

What mountains are to the south and east of Piedmont?

A

The Apennines

28
Q

What is the most important river in Italy?

A

The Po River

29
Q

Piedmont Factors of Production

A

Location: Northwestern Italy
Climate: Continental with a rain shadow effect from the Alps
Topography: Mountains and rolling foothills
Soil: Limestone and sandstone

30
Q

Piedmont Grape Varieties

A 
Moscato
Cortese
Arneis
Nebbiolo
Barbera
Dolcetto
Brachetto
31
Q

What is “Nebbia”?

A

The pervasive fog that often settles over the vineyard near harvest time

32
Q

Appellations and grape varieties of Piedmont

A

Barolo
Barbaresco
Moscato d’Asti-Asti - Moscato (White Sparkling)
Barbera d’Asti - Barbera (Dry red)
Gavi - Cortese (Dry White)
Brachestto d’Acqui - Brachetto (Sweet sparkling red)

33
Q

What grape variety are Barolo and Barbaresco?

A

100% Nebbiolo

34
Q

Where are the best vineyard in Barolo and Barbaresco planted?

A

On hillsides with optimal exposure to ripen Nebbiolo

35
Q

What are the aging requirements for Barolo?

A

Minimum 38 months total with 18 months in oak

36
Q

What are the aging requirements for Barbaresco?

A

Minimum 26 months total with 9 months in oak

37
Q

Lombardy Factors of Production

A

Location: Northeast of Milan in the foothills of the Alps near the famous lakes Como, Iseo and Garda
Climate: Cool continental
Topography: Mountainous and rolling foothills

38
Q

Lombardy Grape Varieties

A

Chardonnay
Pinot Bianco
Pinot Nero
Nebbiolo

39
Q

Appellations of Lombardy

A

Franciacorta DOCG - Metodo classico sparkling wines

Valtellina Superiore DOCG - Nebbiolo

40
Q

Trentino-Alto Adige Factors of Production

A

Location: On the Alpine border of Austria and Switzerland
Climate: Continental with cold winters and surprisingly warm summers
Topography: Mountainous and rolling foothills

41
Q

Trentino-Alto Adige Grape Varieties

A 
Pinot Grigio
Sauvignon Blanc
Pinot Bianco
Merlot
Lagrein
42
Q

Trentino-Alto Adige Appellations

A 
Trentino DOC
Alto Adige (Südtiroler) DOC
43
Q

Veneto Factors of Production

A

Location: Northeastern Italy in the foothills of the Alps extending eastward to the border of the Adriatic Sea
Climate: Continental with a warmer maritime climate near the coast

44
Q

Veneto Appellations

A

Soave DOC - Garganega (Dry White)
Prosecco DOC - Glera (Charmat sparkling)
Valpolicella DOC - Corvina & Rondinella (Dry reds)
Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG - Corvina & Rondinella

45
Q

Amarone is made using what process?

A

Appassimento Process

46
Q

What is the Appassimento Process?

A

Grapes are harvested and dried for several weeks. Dry to off-dry, high alcohol wine 14%-16% ABV

47
Q

Friuli-Venezia Giulia Factors of Production

A

Location: Northeastern Italy, extending eastward to the border with Slovenia
Climate: Continental
Vinification: Mostly unoaked whites and reds

48
Q

Friuli-Venezia Giulia Grape Varieties

A

Pinot Grigio
Sauvignon
Friulano
Merlot

49
Q

Emilia-Romagna Factors of Production

A

Location: A large region extending from the heart of north-central Italy eatward to the coast of the Adriatic Sea
Climate: Continental
Topography: Broad, vast plains with intensive agriculture and viticulture.

50
Q

Emilia-Romagna Appellations

A

Lambrusco DOC - Lambrusco (Dry or off-dry, charmat red sparkling)

51
Q

What else is Emilia-Romagna famous for?

A

Considered the breadbasket of Italy. Famous for Parmigiano-Reggiano, Prosciutto di Parma and Balsamic vinegar.

Introductory Sommelier (24 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions