Piedmont

Question 1

Geography

Answer 1

Capoluogo: Torino
City: Asti, Biella, Cuneo, Novara

Produces 19 DOCG.

Mountains: Alps
River: Po
Lake: Lago Maggiore

Question 2

Climate, Hazards, Vineyards, terroir

Answer 2

The climate is moderate continental.
The winters are cold and long and the summers can bring thunderstorms, hail and fog.
The Alps protects the area from strong winds and rain.
The water bodies of the area (po, lake maggiore) helps moderate the climate and slower the ripening of the grapes.

The best Vineyards are on steep slopes (from 150 to 600meters) to provide altitude in order to slow down the ripening of the grapes.

Soil is mainly limestone and and sandstone

Question 3

White Grape varieties

Answer 3

Moscato, Arneis, Cortese,

Other: Timorasso, Vermentino, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc

Question 4

Red grape varieties

Answer 4

• Nebbiolo - Thin skin, high acid, tannins, alcohol. Needs time in oak to soften tannins.
• Barbera - High acidity and low tannins, easy drinking. Youthful, fruity (cherry, prunes) and spices.
• Dolcetto - Violet colour, medium acidity and tannins.
  Cherries, prunes and dried herbs.

Freisa, Brachetto

Question 5

DOCG areas

Answer 5

Langhe is the area that includes:
- Barolo - Nebbiolo grape
Little colour, cherry driven, herbs and dry flower. bottle age can develop truffle and leather
Must age 3y, 18months in oak

• Barbaresco - Nebbiolo grape
  Less perfumed then Barolo.
  Must age 2y, 9 months in oak
• Asti and Alba - Barbera grape
  Asti, Medium colour, red cherry and plum, black pepper
  Alba, Black plum, cherry, dried herbs.
• Gavi - Cortese grape
  Floral, citrus and green fruit driven, lees can be used

Question 6

Sparkling and White DOCG 6

Answer 6

Sparkling
- Alta Langhe Metodo Classico DOCG (white and rose) - Chardonnay and Pinot Noir

• Asti DOCG (min 7.5-9 percent abv) - Moscato bianco
  off-dry, spumante, can also be made metodo classico
• Moscato d’Asti DOCG - Nebbiolo
  Sweeter than Asti, frizzante
  Gancia è il produttore principale.

White
Gavi/Cortesi di Gavi DOCG (also sparkling) - Cortese
Light, high acidity. Citrus, green fruit.

Roero DOCG (min 12.5 percent abv) - Arneis and Nebbiolo
- White
SpumanteDOCG
Aged for 32 months with 6 in oak.
- Red
Aged for 20 months with 6 in oak
Riserva aged for 48 months with 24 in oak and 9 in bottle.

Erbaluce DOCG - Erbaluce

Question 7

Red DOCG 10

Answer 7

Barolo DOCG (min 12.5 percent abv) - Nebbiolo
Well structured wines, high acidity and tannins. Cherry, herbs and dried flowers. Age brings leather and truffle.
Aged for 38 month with 18 in oak.
Riserva aged for 62 months with 18 in oak.
Vineyards planted at 300-500m.
11 communes are part of this appellation.
Smooth wines, intense red colour wines are made west of Central Valley. The two most important communes are Barolo and La Morra.
Harsh wines, light garnet colour are made east of Serralunga valley. The most important communes are Castiglione Falletto, Serralunga d’Alba e Monteforte d’Alba.
Best Cru are Cannubi, Brunate, Rocche dell’Annunziata, Cerequio, Monprivato, Vallero e Marenca-Rivette.

Barbaresco DOCG (min 12 percent abv) - Nebbiolo
Cherry, prunes, more fruity less perfumed then Barolo.
Aged for 24 months with 9 in oak.
Riserva aged for 50 months with 9 in oak.
Vineyards planted at 200-400m.
Best Crus are Bersarin, Bricco, Montestefano, Montefico, Pajoré, Rabajà, Serraboella

Barbera DOCG (min 12 percent abv) - Barbera
High acidity and low tannins, easy drinking. Cherry, prunes and spices.
Superiore aged for 3 years in oak.
The name of the city is labeled, there is:
Barbera d’Asti DOCG
Barbera del Monferrato DOCG

Dolcetto di Dogliano DOCG
Dolcetto di Diano DOCG
Dolcetto di Ovada DOCG
Violet colour, medium acidity and tannins.
Cherries, prunes and dried herbs.
Aged for 1 year with 9 months in oak.

Gattinara DOCG - Nebbiolo / 4% Bonarda and Vespolina
Lighter in colour and body then Barolo.
Aged for 3 years with 1 in oak
Riserva aged 4 years with 2 in oak

Ghemme DOCG - 85% Nebbiolo / Bonarda and Vespolina
Aged for 36 months with 20 in oak and 9 in bottle.
Riserva aged for 48 months with 24 in oak and 9 in bottle

Dolcetto d’Alba e Dolcetto d’Asti are the DOCs
Dolcetto d’Alba is an early ripening grape of the area.
It produces violet wines with medium acidity and high tannins. Cherries, prunes and dried herbs.

Question 8

Sweet and Fortified DOCG 2

Answer 8

Sweet
Brachetto d’Acqui DOCG - Brachetto
Sweet sparkling red wine.
Strawberries, raspberries and roses.

Fortified
Barolo Chinato DOCG (min 16 percent abv) - Nebbiolo
It’s fortified and aromatised.
Herbal and spiced wine.