Piedmont Flashcards
Piedmont
Translation
“foot of the mountain”
Piedmont
River that cuts through the heart of the region
Po River
Piedmont
most planted red grape
Barbera
Piedmont
Climate
Continental
- Alps provide “rainshadow” effect
- Autumn hail is a concern in the Langhe hills (Barbaresco producers of lore were fond of firing cannons into the skies, attempting to disperse threatening cloudbanks)
Sori
Hillsides
- In Langhe and Monferrato, prized southern exposures
Piedmont
most planted white grape
Moscato Bianco (Mucat a Petits Grains)
- Mainly used in sparkling wines of Asti
Major Piedmontese red grape earliest to ripen
Dolcetto
Piedmont
Besides Moscato Bianco (Muscat a Petit Grains), four other white grapes
- Cortese
- Arneis
- Erbaluce
- Favorita (Vermentino)
diminishing order of importance
Piedmont
six lesser known indigenous red grapes
- Brachetto
- Grignolino
- Ruche
- Croatina
- Vespolina
- Freisa
Piedmont
Vermentino synonym
Favorita
Barolo
Aging Requirements
- Barolo: 38 mo 18 mo oak, Nov 1
- Barolo Riserva: 62 mo total, 18 mo oak, Nov 1
Barolo
Aging requirements prior to 2010
3 yrs, 2 oak (rarely, chestnut)
Monforte d’Alba and Serralunga d’Alba
Main soil type
Serravallian (Helvetian)
- Sandstone, more structure
Barbaresco and Barbaresco Riserva
Aging Requirements
- Barbaresco
- min 26 mo from Nov 1
- min 9 mo wood
- released Jan 1, 3rd yr after harvest
- Barbaresco Riserva
- min 50 mo from Nov 1
- min 9 mo wood
- released Jan 1, 5th yr after harvest
Piedmont
Number of DOCGs
16 DOCGs - most in Italy
- Over 40 DOCs (close of 2010)
- Almost half is DOC quality
La Morra and Barolo
Main soil
Tortonian soils
- Higher proportion of calcareous marl
- Provide a softer style of wine
Piedmont
Nebbiolo-based DOCGs
- Barolo
- Barbaresco
- Ghemme
- Gattinara
- Roero
Barolo and Barbaresco
Province
Cuneo
- South of the Tanaro River
Nebbiolo-based DOCs of Piedmont
- Langhe - surrounds Barolo/Barbaresco
- Carema - near the border of Valle d’Aosta
- Lessona - near Ghemme/Gattinara
- Sizzano - near Ghemme/Gattinara
Largest producing DOCG in Italy
Asti
- 650,000 hl annually
Asti/Moscato d’Asti
Common method of secondary fermentation
Charmat Method
Erbaluce di Caluso/Caluso DOCG
Styles
Erbaluce di Caluso/Caluso DOCG
- Bianco
- Spumante (Traditional Method)
- Passito
- Passito Riserva
Gattinara DOCG and Ghemme DOCG: River
Sesia River
Gattinara DOCG
Varietal Requirement
- min 90% Spanna
- max 10% comb Bonarda di Gattinara and Vespolina (Vespolina cannot exceed 4%)
Gattinara DOCG est 1990
Aging Requirement
- Gattinara: min 35 mo, including 24 mo wood, Nov 1
- Gattinara Riserva: 47 mo, including 36 mo wood, Nov 1
vs Ghemme: 34 mo, 18 mo, Riserva 46 mo, 24 mo
Ghemme
Varietal Requirement
Uva Rara (Bonarda Novarese)
- min 85% Spanna (Nebbiolo)
- max 15% Uva Rara
- Red only
Ghemme DOCG 1997
Aging Requirement
- Ghemme: min 34 mo, 18 mo wood, 6 mo btl, Nov 1
- Ghemme Rieserva: min 46 mo, 24 mo wood, 6 mo btl, Nov 1
Barbera d’Asti DOCG
vs Barbera del Monferrato Superiore DOCG
Aging Requirements
-
Barbera d’Asti DOCG: 4 mo
- Barbera d’Asti Superiore 14 mo, 6 mo wood
- Barbera del Monferrato Superiore DOCG: 14 mo, 6 mo wood
Nizza DOCG
Aging Requirement
- Nizza: min 18 mo, 6 mo oak, Jan 1
- Nizza Risevra: 30 mo, 12 mo oak, Jan 1
All 3 Dolcetto superiore DOCG Aging Requirements
all 3 superiore DOCG are min 10 mo
Dolcetto DOCG that may include menzioni geografiche aggiuntive
Diano d’Alba DOCG
- 75 sorí are classified as superior exposures
Alta Langa DOCG est 2011
Aging Requirement
- Spumante: min 9 mo lees (per EU), min 30 mo total
- Spumante Riserva: min 9 mo lees (per EU) min 36 mo total
- Must be Vintage dated
Alta Langa DOCG Denominaziones:
Alta Langa Spumante, Riserva, Rosato, Rosato Riserva
Alta Langa DOCG Cepage:
Min. 90% combined Pinot Noir and/or Chardonnay
Max. 10% other non-aromatic varieties
Alta Langa DOCG Aging:
Traditional Method (Transvasage Permitted):
Spumante: Min 9 mos on lees, 30 mos min
Spumante Riserva: Min 9 mos on lees, 36 mos min
All Alta Langa wines must be vintage-dated.
Must Alta Langa wines be vintage-dated?
Yes
Asti DOCG subzones:
Asti DOCG Subzones:
Canelli
Strevi
Santa Vittoria d’Alba
Asti DOCG Denominaziones:
Asti/Asti Spumante
Asti/Asti Spumante “Metodo Classico”
Moscato d’Asti
Moscato d’Asti “Vendemmia Tardiva”
Asti DOCG Cepage:
97% Moscato Bianco with other aromatic grapes
Asti DOCG Method/Pressure:
Asti “Metodo Classico” must undergo secondary fermentation in the bottle
Asti is fermented in autoclaves (Charmat/Martinotti Method)
Moscato d’Asti: max 2.5 bars (not subject to a secondary fermentation)
Asti is fermented in ________
Autoclaves
Maximum pressure for Moscato d’Asti?
Max 2.5 bars, no secondary fermentation
Asti DOCG: Asti Metodo Classico Aging Requirements:
Asti “Metodo Classico”: Min. 9 mos on the lees
The process of secondary fermentation for Asti may not last less than a month
Asti DOCG: Moscato d’Asti Vendemmia Tardiva Aging Requirements:**
Moscato d’Asti “Vendemmia Tardiva” must be aged for at least 1 year from the date of harvest
**Asti DOCG: is chapitalization allowed for Moscato d’Asti “Vendemmia Tardiva”:
Chaptalization is forbidden for Moscato d’Asti “Vendemmia Tardiva”
Cepage requirement for Asti DOCG: Canelli Subzone
100% Moscato Bianco
Asti DOCG: Santa Vittoria d’Alba Subzone Aging Requirement:
Aging Requirements (Vendemmia Tardiva): Min. 2 years from January 1 of the year following the harvest
Additional Requirements (Vendemmia Tardiva): Grapes must be partially dried prior to vinification
What is an autoclave?
Autoclave-a pressurized chamber where industrial and scientific processes occur. One of those processes is fermentation.
What is Charmat Method?
Charmant Method/Metodo Italiano-A sparkling wine-making process whereby the wine may undergo primary or secondary fermentation in a pressurized environment.
Barbaresco DOCG: Province/Communes of Production:
Province: Cuneo
Communes of Production: Barbaresco, Neive, Treiso (a frazione of Barbaresco), San Rocco Seno d’Elvio (part of Alba)
Barbaresco DOCG: Cepage
Varieties: 100% Nebbiolo (Michet, Rosé and Lampià clones are no longer explicitly required)
Barbaresco DOCG: min % ABV
12.5%
Barbaresco DOCG: Aging Requirements:
Barbaresco: Min 26 months from November 1 of the harvest year (min 9 months in wood), may be released after January 1 of the third year following the harvest
Riserva: Min 50 months from November 1 of the harvest year (minimum 9 months in wood), may be released after January 1 of the fifth year following the harvest
Ovello MGA: Producers?
Produttori del Barbaresco
Cascina Morassino
Valfieri
Ovello MGA: Notes
This is the largest cru in all of Barbaresco, and is occupied by many producers. It contains the historic sites of Canova, Casot, and Loreto.
Secondine MGA: Producers (Barbaresco)
Gaja - home to San Lorenzo vineyard, excellent reputation
What is the smallest cru in Barbaresco?
Rabaja-Bas
Asili MGA: Notes (Barbaresco)
This cru covers a full 360° area, though the most famous portion of it faces south and borders Martinenga.
Asili MGA: Producers
Ceretto
Michele Chiarlo
Bruno Giacosa
Produttori del Barbaresco
Roncagliette MGA: Notes/Producers (Barbaresco)
Gaja - This cru contains the highly regarded vineyards Sori Tildin and Costa Russi both of which are owned by Gaja.
Pajorè MGA: Notes/Producers (Barbaresco)
Rizzi, Sottimano - Gaja owns most of the vineyards in this cru, even though he doesn’t use the name Pajorè on his labels. Overall, it is a well regarded site for its excellent soil, altitude, and exposure.
Giacosa MGA: Notes/Producers
Fratelli Grasso “Barbaresco Bricco Spessa” - Gaja owns many of the vineyards in this site, which he devotes to plantings of Chardonnay.
Top Barbaresco MGA’s:
Ovello
Montefico
Montestefano
Secondine
Pajè
Asili
Rabajà
Roncagliette
Pajorè
What Barbaresco MGA’s does Gaja own vineyards in? What are the vineyards?
Secondine - San Lorenzo
Roncagliette - Sori Tildin and Costa Russi
Pajorè - doesn’t label MGA
Giacosa - Chardonnay plantings
Barbera d’Asti DOCG: Province/Subzones:
Province: Asti (principally) and Alessandria
Subzones: Tinella, Colli Astiani (Astiano)
Barbera d’Asti DOCG: Denominazione:
Barbera d’Asti
Barbera d’Asti Superiore
Barbera d’Asti Superiore con indicazione della sottozona (with indication of subzone)
What does Sottozona mean?
Subzone
Barbera s’Asti DOCG: Cepage
Varieties: 90-100% Barbera, combined maximum 10% of Freisa, Grignolino and Dolcetto
Barbera d’Asti DOCG: Aging Requirements
Barbera d’Asti: 4 mos from November 1 of the harvest year
Barbera d’Asti Superiore: 14 mos from November 1 of the harvest year, including at least 6 months in oak
Barbera d’Asti Superiore Tinella: 24 mos from October 1 of the harvest year, including at least 6 months in wood and 6 months in bottle
Barbera d’Asti Superiore Colli Astiani: 24 mons from October 1 of the harvest year, including at least 6 months in wood and 6 months in bottle
Barbera del Monferrato Superiore DOCG: Province/Communes
Province: Asti and Alessandria
Communes of Production: over 200 communes
Barbera del Monferrato Superiore DOCG: Denominaziones
Denominazione (Rosso):
Barbera del Monferrato Superiore
Barbera del Monferrato Superiore “Vigna”
Barbera del Monferrato Superiore DOCG: Cepage
Varieties: minimum 85% Barbera, combined maximum 15% of Freisa, Grignolino, Dolcetto
Barbera del Monferrato Superiore DOCG: Aging Requirements
Aging Requirements: min 14 months from November 1 of the harvest year, including at least 6 months in oak
Barolo DOCG: Province/Communes
Province: Cuneo
Communes of Production:
Entirely included in DOCG: Barolo, Castiglione Falletto, Serralunga d’Alba
Partially included in DOCG: Monforte d’Alba, La Morra, Diano d’Alba, Novello, Verduno, Grinzane Cavour, Cherasco, Roddi
Almost 90% of the DOCG zone is contained within the six townships of Barolo, Castiglione Falletto, Serralunga d’Alba, Monforte d’Alba, La Morra, and Novello.
What communes of production fall entirely within the Barolo DOCG?
Entirely included in DOCG:
Barolo
Castiglione Falletto
Serralunga d’Alba
What communes of production fall partially within the Barolo DOCG?
Partially included in DOCG:
Monforte d’Alba
La Morra
Diano d’Alba
Novello
Verduno
Grinzane Cavour
Cherasco, Roddi
Almost 90% of the DOCG zone is contained within the six townships of:
Barolo
Castiglione Falletto
Serralunga d’Alba
Monforte d’Alba
La Morra
Novello
Barolo DOCG: Denominaziones:
Barolo
Barolo Riserva
Barolo with “menzioni geografiche aggiuntive”(These are “geographical designations,” or crus, legally defined for collective use in 2010 under DOCG regulations.)
Barolo with “menzioni geografiche aggiuntive” and “Vigna” (“Vigna” refers to a single vineyard wine and must come from a registered named vineyard used in conjunction with a geographic designation.)
Barolo Chinato (aromatized)
What does MGA refer to?
“menzioni geografiche aggiuntive”
(These are “geographical designations,” or crus, legally defined for collective use in 2010 under DOCG regulations.)
When were MGA’s first approved for use?
2010
Barolo DOCG: Min alcohol
Barolo: 13% (12.5% potential at harvest) - includes Normale, Riserva, and “menzioni geografiche aggiuntive”
Barolo DOCG: Aging Requirements
Barolo: 38 months from November 1 of the harvest year, including 18 months in wood
Barolo Riserva: 62 months from November 1 of the harvest year, including 18 months in wood
Barolo DOCG: Vineyard Elevation/Orientation
Permitted Vineyard Elevation/Orientation: 170-540 meters; vineyards with complete northern exposures are prohibited.
In Barolo DOCG, are vineyards with complete northern exposures allowed?
They’re prohibited
When was the Barolo DOCG established?
DOCG Established: 1980 (DOC in 1966)
What river flows through Piedmonte?
The Tanaro River flows through Piedmont, dividing the Roero from the Langhe and providing a moderating influence.
Barolo DOCG: Soil Structure
Barolo’s principal geological formations were formed in three eras: Tortonian (12-7 million years ago), Serravallian (14-11 million years ago), and Langhien (16-14 million years ago). The latter two formations were historically grouped together and known as “Helvetian.”
Which two Barolo soil formations are often grouped together?
Serravallian + Langhien = Helvetian
The vineyards of La Morra and Barolo are situated on what bedrock?
Tortonian bedrock
The vineyards of Monforte d’Alba and Serralunga d’Alba lie on what bedrock?
Serravallien bedrock
Roncaglie MGA in La Morra is divided in what subzones?
Roncaglie Soprano
Roncaglie Sottano
Capalot MGA in La Morra contains which well-regarded subzone?
Capalot contains a well regarded subzone known as La Pria.
Which well-known MGA cru, has a reputation based on the wines of Elio Altare?
Arborina MGA in La Morra
Rocche dell’Annunziata MGA: Notes
This highly regarded cru, with numerous important estates, has southeast- and south-facing exposures.
Rocche dell’Annunziata MGA: Producers
Renato Ratti
F. Revello
Paolo Scavino
Gagliasso
Costamagna
Torriglione MGA: Producers
Roberto Voerzio sources grapes from this cru, though overall it is overshadowed by neighboring Rocche dell’Annunziata and Brunate.
What Barolo MGA’s does Vajra produce from?
Fossati
San Pietro
Bricco delle Viole
Coste di Vergne
La Volta
What Barolo MGA’s does Gaja produce from?
Rivette
Colombaro
Le Turne
Marenca
What Barolo MGA’s does Giuseppe Rinaldi produce from?
Brunate
Bussia
Cannubi
What Barolo MGA’s does Giuseppe Mascarello produce from?
Monprivato
Villero
______ is one of Gaja’s single-vineyard Barolos, grown in the MGA of Marenca-Rivette in Serralunga d’Alba
Sperrs
The Villero MGA in Castiglione Falletto: Notes
This is a large cru of excellent reputation, with almost total southwestern exposure across entire cru. It is divided amongst many producers.
The Villero MGA in Castiglione Falletto: Producers
Brovia
Cordero di Montezemolo Barolo Vigna Enrico VI
Giuseppe Mascarello
Vietti
The Cerretta MGA in Serralunga d’Alba: Notes
This was formerly divided into three different crus: Bricco Cerretta, Cerretta Piani, and Cerretta. They are now collectively referred to as Cerretta.
The Cerretta MGA in Serralunga d’Alba: Producers
Elio Altare
Giacomo Conterno
Azelia, Luigi Baudana
Ca’Rome
Schiavenza
What producers make a Cannubi MGA bottling?
Michele Chiarlo
Damilano
Paolo Scavino
Marchesi di Barolo
Ceretto
E. Pira
Luigi Einaudi
_______ is the most prestigious cru in Barolo. It covers a hill, and the vineyards face in all directions.
Cannubi MGA, Barolo
Bussia MGA in Monforte d’Alba: Notes
Bussia contains the vineyards
“Sottana”
“Rocche”
“Sporana”
“Dardi”
“Pianpolvere”
“Visette”
“Arnulf,” and “Munie”;
“Rocche” is a natural extension of the Rocche de Castiglione Falletto and once the source of Parruso’s “Barolo Rocche.”
Bussia MGA in Monforte d’Alba: Producers
Prunotto
Parusso
Silvano Bolmida
Monti
Conterno Fantino
Aldo Conterno
Cannubi Boschis MGA: Producers
Luciano Sandrone, Francesco Rinaldi
Boschis has been singled out for high quality on account of Luciano Sandrone’s production from this site. Producers may label wines from this geographical designation as “Cannubi.”
Ginestra MGA in Monforte d’Alba: Producers/Notes
Clerico, Elio Grasso, Conterno Fantino
Ginestra has a famous (if recent) reputation, gained through the success of Elio Grasso’s Gavarini Vigna Chiniera and Casa Maté, as well as Domenico Clerico’s Ciabot Mentin and Pajana.
Who produces wine from the Monprivato MGA in Castiglionne Falletto?
Giuseppe Mascarello
This is a famed vineyard, but there have been historical disputes over the vineyard’s boundaries.
Fontanafredda MGA in Serralunga d’Alba contains which two vineyards?
Fontanafredda contains the vineyards Gattinera and La Rosa.
Falletto MGA in Serraluna d’Alba is a monopole of which producer?
Bruno Giacosa (monopole)
This cru is noted for its higher altitude vineyards, exceeding 400 meters, and is the source of the producer’s Le Rocche del Falletto Riserva.
The Francia MGA in Serralunga d’Alba is a monopole of which producer?
Giacomo Conterno (monopole)
Conterno has owned this west-facing site since 1974, and produces Barolo Cascina Francia, Barolo Riserva Monfortino, and Barbera from the site.
Giuseppe Rinaldi’s “Tre Tine” is a blend of fruit from which three MGA’s?
Ravera
La Coste
Cannubi San Lorenzo
Brachetto d’Acqui (Acqui) DOCG: Province:
Province: Alessandria and Asti
Brachetto d’Acqui (Acqui) DOCG: Denominazione:
Denominazione:
Rosé/Rosato
Rosé/Rosato Spumante
Rosso (maximum pressure 2 bars)
Rosso Spumante (Traditional or Charmat Method)
Rosso Passito
Brachetto d’Acqui (Acqui) DOCG: Uvaggio:
Varieties:
Min. 97% Brachetto
Max. 3% other varieties suitable for cultivation in Piedmont
Brachetto d’Acqui (Acqui) DOCG: Passito min RS:
Minimum Residual Sugar: 50 g/l (Passito only)
Brachetto d’Acqui (Acqui) DOCG: Aging Requirements:
Aging Requirements:
Passito: May not be released before October 1 of the year following the harvest
Canelli DOCG: Denominazione/Uvaggio
Canelli (Canelli Moscato)
Canelli Riserva (Canelli Moscato Riserva)
Grape Varieties: 100% Moscato Bianco
Canelli DOCG: Alcohol
Finished Alcohol Requirement: 4.5-6.5%
Minimum Potential Alcohol:
Canelli and Canelli RIserva: 11%
With Vigna Designation: 11.5%
Canelli DOCG: Pressure
Method and Pressure: Maximum 2.5 bars
Canelli DOCG: Aging Requirements
Aging Requirements:
Riserva with Vigna designation: 20 months in bottle, 30 months total
Canelli DOCG: Vineyard Requirements
Min/Max Altitude: 165-500m
Training Methods: Espalier and Guyot
Emergency Irrigation is allowed
All grapes must be hand harvested
Dogliani DOCG: Denominazione/Uvaggio
Dogliani
Dogliani Superiore
Varieties: 100% Dolcetto
Dogliani DOCG: min alcohol
Dogliani: 12%
Dogliani Superiore: 13%
Dogliani DOCG Superiore: Aging Requirements
Dogliani Superiore: 12 months from October 15 of the harvest year (not released until November 1 of the year following harvest)
Dogliani DOCG: Soils
Principal Soils: calcareous or siliceous clay
Dolcetto di Diano d’ Alba/Diano d’ Alba DOCG: Denominazione
Denominazione (Rosso):
Dolcetto di Diano d’ Alba
Dolcetto di Diano d’ Alba “Vigna”
Dolcetto di Diano d’ Alba Superiore
Dolcetto di Diano d’ Alba Superiore “Vigna”
Varieties: 100% Dolcetto
Dolcetto di Diano d’ Alba/Diano d’ Alba DOCG: Aging Requirements
Normale: release January 1st of the year following harvest
Superiore: release September 1st of the year following harvest
Dolcetto di Ovada Superiore (Ovada) DOCG: Denominazione
Denominazione (Rosso):
Dolcetto di Ovada Superiore
Dolcetto di Ovada Superiore Riserva
Dolcetto di Ovada Superiore “Vigna”
Varieties: 100% Dolcetto
Dolcetto di Ovada Superiore (Ovada) DOCG: Aging Requirements
Dolcetto di Ovada Superiore: 12 months from November 1 of the harvest year
Dolcetto di Ovada Superiore “Vigna”: 20 months from November 1 of the harvest year
Dolcetto di Ovada Superiore Riserva: min 24 months
Erbaluce di Caluso/Caluso DOCG: Denominazione
Bianco
Spumante (Traditional Method)
Passito
Passito Riserva
Varieties: 100% Erbaluce
Erbaluce di Caluso/Caluso DOCG: Aging Requirements
Spumante: Min 15 months on the lees
Passito: 36 months from November 1 of the harvest year
Passito Riserva: 48 months from November 1 of the harvest year