Northern Italy - Sparkling

Question 1

Climate of Northern Italy?

Answer 1

Continental, rest of Italy is Mediterranean

Question 2

When did Glera become the official name for the Prosecco grape?

Answer 2

2009 - adopted from a local Friulian name for the grape

Question 3

What is Italy’s largest DOP by volume?

Answer 3

Prosecco DOC

Question 4

Prosecco Superiore DOCG was formerly what?

Answer 4

Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG

Question 5

Where is Prosecco Superiore DOCG located?

Answer 5

A much smaller area between the towns of Conegliano and Valdobbiadene, the historical and original heart of Prosecco production

Question 6

Notable Prosecco producers?

Answer 6

Carpenè Malvolti, Mionetto (one of oldest, since 1887), La Marca (quality coop), Ruggeri

Question 7

Italian term for tank method?

Answer 7

Martinotti method

Question 8

Prosecco DOC Rosé requirements?

Answer 8

New category, allows for 10-15% Pinot Nero, can range from brut nature to extra dry

Question 9

Subzone of Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG?

Answer 9

Cartizze, on the finest and steepest slopes of the appellation. Often identified as Valdobbiadene Superiore di Cartizze DOCG

Question 10

What is “Rive”?

Answer 10

Rive translates as vineyards on steep slopes. 43 villages are allowed to append their village name to the word rive on wine labels. Rive sites are second only to Cartizze in reputation

Question 11

Sarde in saor

Answer 11

Ancient technique of frying foods then preserving them in a marinade of cooked onions vinegar, sugar, pine nuts, and raisins. Method developed by fishermen looking to preserve their catch before the advent of refrigeration, and sardines (sarde) are the traditional base of this dish

Question 12

Granseola alla Veneziana

Answer 12

Spider crab fished from Venice lagoon, boiled and seasoned with olive oil, garlic, parsley, lemon

Question 13

What is the minimum percentage of Glera required for Prosecco DOC and Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG?

Answer 13

Minimum 85% Glera, with up to 15% native blending grapes allowed

Question 14

What style of sparkling wine is nicknamed bollicine di montagna?

Answer 14

Trento DOC - “Mountain Bubbles”

Question 15

What is the main trellising system for Trento DOC?

Answer 15

Pergola

Question 16

What grapes are permitted for Trento DOC?

Answer 16

Chardonnay, Pinot Nero, Pinot Bianco, Meunier

Question 17

What is the aging requirement for NV Trento DOC?

Answer 17

Minimum 15 months lees aging

Question 18

What is the aging requirement for vintage Trento DOC?

Answer 18

Minimum 24 months lees aging

Question 19

What is the aging requirement for Riserva Trento DOC?

Answer 19

Minimum 36 months lees aging

Question 20

Notable producers of Trento DOC?

Answer 20

Ferrari, Cavit, Mezzacorona, Letrari, Maso Martis, Cesarini Sforza

Question 21

Name 3 Trentino cheeses?

Answer 21

Trentingrana DOP, Stravecchio di Fiemme DOP, Puzzone di Moena DOP

Question 22

What DOC covers the same area as Franciacorta DOCG, but for still white and red wines?

Answer 22

Curtefranca DOC

Question 23

What is Satèn?

Answer 23

A Chardonnay based Blanc de Blancs bottled with less pressure than other wines of the appellations, resulting in a creamier, silkier mousse

Question 24

What terms may be used to indicate 0 dosage in Franciacorta?

Answer 24

Dosaggio Zero, Dosage Zéro, Pas Dosé, Brut Nature

Question 25

What grapes are permitted for Franciacorta?

Answer 25

Chardonnay dominates, Pinot Nero, Pinot Bianco, Erbamat

Question 26

What is the typical style of Franciacorta?

Answer 26

More pronounced fruit flavors with lower acidity than Champagne

Question 27

What is the aging requirement for NV Franciacorta?

Answer 27

Minimum 18 months lees aging

Question 28

What is the aging requirement for Vintage Franciacorta?

Answer 28

Minimum 30 months lees aging

Question 29

What is the aging requirement for Riserva Franciacorta?

Answer 29

Minimum 60 months lees aging

Question 30

What are the permitted sweetness levels for Franciacorta?

Answer 30

Brut, Extra Brut, Brut Nature

Question 31

Notable Franciacorta DOCG producers?

Answer 31

Barone Pizzini (1st to farm organically), Guido Berlucchi (created modern sparkling wines of Franciacorta in early 1960s, largest producer by volume), Ca' del Bosco

Question 32

What is one of Italy's most notable sparkling wines?

Answer 32

Cuvée Annamaria Clementi, from Ca' del Bosco

Question 33

What is casoncelli?

Answer 33

Stuffed pasta (usually beef and parmesan)

Question 34

Name 3 cheese DOPs in Lombardy?

Answer 34

Grana Padano DOP, Gorgonzola DOP, Taleggio DOP

Question 35

How does Lambrusco planted on the Padan Plain differ from Lambrusco planted on the hillsides of the Apennines foothills?

Answer 35

Lambrusco from the plain produces lighter, delicate styles, and hillside vineyards craft styles with more body and structure

Question 36

What are the 3 principal varieties of Lambrusco?

Answer 36

Lambrusco di Sorbara, Lambrusco Grasparossa, Lambrusco Salamino

Question 37

Which Lambrusco variety is the most planted?

Answer 37

Lambrusco Salamino

Question 38

Main Lambrusco DOCs?

Answer 38

Lambrusco di Sorbara DOC, Lambrusco Grasaprossa di Castelvetro DOC, Lambrusco Salamino di Santa Croce DOC, Reggiano Lambrusco DOC, Lambrusco di Modena DOC

Question 39

Lambrusco di Sorbara DOC typical style?

Answer 39

Fragrant, light bodied, pale in color, based on Sorbara variety grown around hamlet of same name

Question 40

Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro DOC typical style?

Answer 40

Most structured of the Lambrusco varieties and based on Gasparossa variety grown around Castelvetro

Question 41

Lambrusco Salamino di Santa Croce DOC typical style?

Answer 41

"in between" Sorbara and Grasparossa, based on Salamino grown around Santa Croce

Question 42

Reggiano Lambrusco DOC typical style?

Answer 42

Most commonly exported, made from one or more of the Lambrusco varieties grown in a large area around Reggio Emilia

Question 43

Lambrusco di Modena DOC?

Answer 43

From one or more Lambrusco varieties grown in large area around Modena

Question 44

Notable Lambrusco producers?

Answer 44

Cleto Chiarli (first to produce & sell Lambrusco wine, pioneered tank method for production), Paltrinieri (boutique, artisanal), Lini (4th generation, family owned), Ruinite (historic, coop, brought sweeter version to US)

Question 45

What might be considered the red equivalent of Asti DOCG?

Answer 45

Brachetto D'Acqui DOCG

Question 46

In what region of Piedmont will you find Moscato d'Asti and Asti DOCG?

Answer 46

Monferrato

Question 47

Aside from Asti, what town is at the center of the Asti/Moscato d'Asti DOCGs?

Answer 47

Canelli

Question 48

Notable Asti DOCG producers?

Answer 48

Grancia (pioneer of Asti sparkling), Cinzano (one of first)

Question 49

Notable Moscato d'Asti DOCG producers?

Answer 49

Michele Chiarlo, La Spinetta, Elio Perrone

Question 50

What was the first single vineyard bottling of Moscato in Italy?

Answer 50

Bricco Quaglia from La Spinetta

Question 51

Is Moscato d'Asti or Asti DOCG dominated by small scale, artisanal producers?

Answer 51

Moscato d'Asti

Question 52

Is Moscato d'Asti or Asti more often vintage dated?

Answer 52

Moscato d'Asti

Question 53

What traditional desserts of Piedmont pair well with Moscato d'Asti/Asti?

Answer 53

Panna Cotta, Zabaione (light custard, egg yolds whipped with Marsala and sugar)

Question 54

What is one of the most common synonyms for Moscato Bianco?

Answer 54

Moscato di Canelli

Question 55

How many villages may append "Rive" to their name?

Answer 55

43

Question 56

What is the most common sweetness designation for Prosecco?

Answer 56

Extra Dry (sweeter than brut)