Piedmont, Lombardia, Valle d'Aosta Flashcards
What is the name of Antinori’s Barolo estate?
Prunotto
What is the name of the river that carves through Valle d’Aosta?
Dora Baltea
What are the 7 subzones of Valle d’Aosta?
Blanc de Morgex et de la Salle Chambave Arnad Montjovet and Donnas Enfer d'Arvier and Torrette Nus
What subzone of Valle d’Aosta is for white wines made from 100% Pinot Grigio/Malvoisie and reds from Vien and Petite Rouge?
Nus
What subzone of Valle d’Aosta is for wines made exclusively from Moscato Bianco and reds from mostly Petite Rouge?
Chambave
What subzone of Valle d’Aosta is for wines made exclusively from Prié Blanc?
Blanc de Morgex et de la Salle
Petite Rouge is the main ingredient in wines from which 3 subzones of Valle d’Aosta?
Chambave
Enfer d’Ariver
Torrette
What are the two subregions of Valle d’Aosta that specialize in wines mostly from Nebbiolo? What is the local synonym for this?
Donnas
Arnad-Montjovet
What subregion of Valle d’Aosta has remained free from Phylloxera? Why?
Blanc de la Morgex et de la Salle
Phylloxera cannot survive at such high elevations
What is the DOCG for Arneis and what is it also known as in Barolo?
Roero DOCG
Known as Barolo Biancho in Barolo as it was traditionally used to soften Nebbiolo there.
What were the only two houses that preserved the existence of Arneis in 1970s?
Bruno Giacosa and Vietti
What is considered the top DOCG for Barbera in Piedmont?
Barbera d’Asti DOCG
What are the two DOCGs of Asti?
Asti DOCG (includes Moscato d'Asti + Asti Spumante) Barbera d'Asti DOCG
What is the maximum ABV for Moscato d’Asti DOCG? Max bottle pressure?
Max 6.5% abv
Max pressure of 2.5 bars
Asti DOCG spumante wines are most commonly fermented how?
Charmat method though traditional method Asti is produced and labeled “Metodo Classico”
Does Moscato d’Asti see a secondary fermentation?
No, the wine is bottled under pressure after being partially fermented.
The riper Moscato grapes are usually reserved for what style of wine?
Moscato d’Asti rather than Asti Spumante.
Who is Domizzio Cavazza?
The founder of Produttori di Barbaresco
How much smaller is the production area of Barbaresco than Barolo?
1/3 the size of Barolo
What are the four communes of Barbaresco?
Barbaresco
Neive
Treiso
San Rocco Senodelvio (parts of Alba)
What are the two main soil types of Barbaresco and what style of wines are produced from each?
Tortonian Marl/calcareous clay; produces a perfumed, fruit-driven style
Sant’Agata fossil marl produces more tannic styles
What is the most likely reason for Barbaresco vines ripening earlier than Barolo?
Proximity to the Tanaro river and the lower altitude creates a warmer mesoclimate and thus earlier ripening.
Stylistically in regards to weight, which is generally fuller in style Barolo or Barbaresco? Which is aged the longest as a result?
Barolo is fuller and more tannic in style and thus typically aged longer prior to release.
What are the aging requirements for Barbaresco Normale and Riserva respectively?
Normale:
26 months from Nov 1st of the harvest year with 9 months spent in wood. Not released until Jan 1 of the 3rd year following harvest.
Riserva:
50 months from Nov 1st of the harvest year with 9 months in wood. Not released until Jan 1 of the 5th year following harvest
When is Barbaresco typically at it’s best?
Between 5 and 15 years
What are dominant aromas of traditional Barbaresco with age?
Orange Peel, Tar, Iron, Cherry, and Violets
When was the first single vineyard or cru Barbarescos produced?
1967
What are the top 4 crus of the Barbaresco commune?
Asili
Montefico
Montestefano
Rabajà
What are the top 2 crus of the Neive (Barbaresco) commune?
Albesani
Gallina
Bruno Giacosa’s Santo Stefano was produced from what cru located in Neive?
Albesani
What is the top Barbaresco cru in Treiso?
Pajorè
When was a registry or list of crus published for Barbaresco? Barolo?
2007 for Barbaresco
2010 for Barolo
In what cru is Sorì San Lorenzo located?
Secondine
Since what vintage has Gaja’s wine been 100% Nebbiolo?
Since 2013
Which two of Gaja’s single vineyard bottlings come from the Roncagliette cru?
Sori Tildin and Costa Russi
What is considered the gold standard of Barbera and the prototype of barrel matured Barbera?
Giacomo Bologna “Bricco dell’Uccellone”
What are considered the two finest DOCG for Barbera?
Barbera d’Asti DOCG
Nizza DOCG
Bardolino is produced on the southeast shores of what lake?
Lago di Garda
What are the grapes used for the production of Bardolino? What international grape is often used and why?
Same as for Valpolicella; Corvina, Rondinella, and Molinara.
Merlot often is used to bolster alcohol levels in the wines so that they can qualify for the Bardolino Superiore DOCG
What is the rosé form of Bardolino called?
Chiaretto
What are the 5 main communes of Barolo?
La Mora Barolo Castiglione Falletto Monforte d'Alba Serralunga d'Alba
What are the aging requirements for Barolo Normale and Riserva?
Normale:
38 months from Nov 1 of the harvest year with at least 18 months in wood
Riserva:
62 months from Nov 1 of the harvest year with at least 18 months in wood
What are the two main soil types of Barolo and the style of wine said to be produced from vines grown on them? What communes are associated with each type?
Tortonian Marl; produces wines that are more soft and fruity and age relatively rapidly for Barolo. This soil makes up the best sites in La Morra and Barolo
Helvetian Sandstone; produces wines that are more intense, structured wines that need more time to mature. This soil makes up the best sites in Monforte d’Alba and Serralunga d’Alba.
Castiglione Falletto vineyards have elements of both.
What are the top two crus in the commune of La Morra?
Rocche dell’Annunziata
Cerequio
What are the top three crus in the commune of Barolo?
Cannubi
Sarmazza
Brunate
What are the top 3 crus in Castiglione Falletto?
Rocche di Castiglione
Villero
Monprivato
What are the top three crus in Monforte d’Alba?
Bussia
Ginestra
Santo Stefano di Perno
What are the three top crus in Serralunga d’Alba?
Francia
Lazzarito
Vigna Rionda
What is the top producer of Boca DO?
Le Piane
What is Bonarda actually in Oltrepò Pavese? What is it in the Novara and Vercelli Hills?
Croatina in Oltrepo; Uva Rara in the Novara Hills
What are the 5 DOC of the Alto Piemonte for Spanna from west to east?
Lessona DOC Bramaterra DOC Boca DOC Sizzano DOC Fara DOC
What does Bricco mean?
The highest part of an elevation in the landscape, or the top of a hill
Who produces “Etichetta Nera”? What is the DOC and what is this wine?
Ferrando; Carema DOC
100% Nebbiolo that’s aged for 3 years in cask and only produced in the best vintages.
What is the most famous cantina sociale in Piedmont?
Produttori del Barbaresco
In what year were the DOC and DOCG designations created in Italy? When were the first DOCG established?
Introduced as a designation in 1963
First DOCGs were established in 1980 with Barolo, Barbaresco, Brunello di Montalcino, and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
What is the Italian term for sweet?
Dolce
What are the three DOCG dedicated to Dolcetto?
Dogliani DOCG
Dolcetto di Diano d’Alba DOCG
Dolcetto di Ovada Superiore DOCG
What is Nebbiolo called in Valle d’Aosta?
Picoutener
What styles of wine are made in Donnas?
Dry, still red from min 85% Picoutener
What is the RS value in g/L of a sparkling wine labeled asciutto?
17-35g/L
What is the RS value in g/L of a sparkling wine labeled abboccato?
33-50g/L
What are the colors, styles, and sweetness levels for wines produced in the Fara DOC? From what grapes are these wines produced?
Dry, still red only from mostly Nebbiolo (min 50%) plus Vespolina and/or Uva Rara
What is the synonym for Vermentino in Piedmont?
Favorita
DOC for still wines within Franciacorta DOCG boundary?
Curtefranca DOC
What are the styles permitted for Curtefranca DOC and the grape requirements?
Dry, still white from min 50% Chardonnay plus Pinot Bianco and/or Pinot Nero
Dry, still red from min 25% Merlot plus min 25% Cab Franc and/or Carmenere plus 10% Cabernet Sauvignon
Curtefranca DOC red and white wines were designed to compete with the wines of what French regions respectively?
Bordeaux for reds and Burgundy for whites
In what year was Franciacorta’s first traditional method sparkling wine released and by who was this?
1961; Guido Berluchi
What are the aging requirements for the 5 styles of Franciacorta DOCG?
Franciacorta: min 18 months on the lees with tirage not occurring before Feb 1 of the year following harvest and a total of 25 months total aging from date of harvest.
Franciacorta Satèn and Rosé: min 24 months on the lees with tirage not before Feb 1 of the year following harvest and a total of 31 months total aging from date of harvest.
Franciacorta Millesimato: min 30 months on the lees with tirage not before Feb 1 of the year following harvest and a total of 37 months total aging from date of harvest
Franciacorta Riserva: min 60 months on the lees with tirage not before Feb 1 of the year following harvest and a total of 67 months total aging from date of harvest.
What is the max sweetness level for each of the 5 types of Franciacorta DOCG?
Franciacorta: Demi-Sec Franciacorta Rosé: Demi-Sec Franciacorta Satèn: Exclusively Brut Franciacorta Millesimato: Extra Dry Franciacorta Riserva: Extra Brut
What are the principal soil types of Franciacorta?
Moraine, limestone, and volcanic
When was the Franciacorta DOCG established?
1995
How much reserve wine may be used in Franciacorta DOCG wines for both Millesimato and Riserva styles?
Maximum 15%
What is the maximum pressure for Franciacorta Satèn in bottle?
Max 5atm
Why is Franciacorta Satèn bottled with less pressure than other styles of Franciacorta?
The liqueur de tirage is lower in sugar than for the other styles. Max 20g/L prior to tirage.
What grapes are permitted for Franciacorta Satèn?
White grapes exclusively. Min 50% Chardonnay plus a max 50% Pinot Blanc
What nearby lake moderates the climate of Franciacorta?
Lago d’Iseo
What are the two top producers of Franciacorta today?
Bellavista and Ca’ del Bosco
What is Fresia Nebbiolata?
Fresia that has been refermented on the skins of Nebbiolo used for Barolo essentially ripasso style. Specialty of Piedmont creating an incredibly tannic and ageworthy expression of Fresia.
What innovations did Gaja bring to Piedmont?
Maturation of Barbaresco wine and Barbera in small barrels.
Champion of single vineyard crus
Plantings of international grapes such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc.
What are the three famous single cru Barbaresco bottlings of Gaja and the vineyard associated with each?
Sorì San Lorenzo (Secondine)
Sorì Tildin (Roncagliette)
Costa Russi (Roncagliette)
When did Gattinara gain DOCG status?
1990
Coste della Sesia DOC white wines are made from what grape?
100% Erbaluce
What are the aging requirements for Gattinara DOCG for both normale and riserva?
Normale:
Min 35 months total aging with at least 24 months in wood
Riserva:
Min 47 months total aging with at least 36 months in wood
What is the min% of Nebbiolo required for Gattinara DOCG?
Min 90%
What is more common in Gattinara, single-vineyard wines or blends of several?
Single-vineyard
What are the styles produced in Gavi DOCG?
Dry, still white
Frizzante white
white sparkling Traditional Method
All from 100% Cortese
Castello di Tassarolo is associated with which DOCG?
Gavi DOCG
What is the name of the river that separates Gattinara from Ghemme?
Sesia
Which Nebbiolo-based appellations are west of the Sesia? East?
West: Lessona DOC, Bramaterra DOC, and Gattinara DOCG
East: Sizzano DOC, Fara DOC, and Ghemme DOCG
How does Grignolino get its name?
Comes from the word “grignole” which in the dialect of Asti means “pips” suggesting the grapes have an abundance of pips which significant tannin is drawn from in the production of these wines.
What are the two Grignolino DOC in Piedmont and which overlaps slightly with Asti DOCG?
Grignolino Monferrato Casalese DOC
Grignolino d’Asti DOC (overlaps with Asti DOCG)
What are two DOCG or sparkling red wine in Italy?
Brachetto D’Acqui DOCG
Vernaccia di Serrapetrona DOCG
What is ciabot as it relates to the Langhe?
Small house in the vineyard used for refuge and/or to store vineyard tools
Giacomo Conterno produces wine from what 3 MGAs?
Francia (Serralunga)
Cerretta (Serralunga; 2010 first vintage)
Arione (Serralunga; 2015 first vintage)
What is the name of the benevolent wind of Valtellina that keeps the vines warm in the winter and cooler in the summer?
La Breva
Where is Brisko vino produced and what is the principal grape of this wine?
Goriska Brda (Slovenia); Rebulla
In what region is Fernet Branca produced?
Lombardia
Since what year has Gaja’s Sori Tildin, Sori San Lorenzo, and Costa Russi been bottled as Barbaresco DOCG?
2013
Which grape translates to “little rascal”?
Arneis
What river forms the valley of Valtellina?
Adda
What white grape indigenous to Piedmont can express TDN-based aroma and flavor similar to dry Riesling?
Timorasso
What is the minimum percentage of Barbera for Barbera d’Asti DOCG? What are the other red grapes that can comprise the rest?
Min 90% Barbera; Freisa, Dolcetto, and/or Grignolino may comprise the rest.
What are the aging requirements for Barbera d’Asti DOCG superiore?
Min 24 months aging including 6 months in wood and 6 months in bottle prior to release
What is the minimum % of Barbera for Nizza DOCG? Which DOCG was this formerly a sub zone of prior to 2014?
Min 100%; formerly a sub zone of Barbera d’Asti DOCG
Which Barbera DOCG requires the longest aging in wood?
Nizza DOCG
Barbera d’Asti DOCG
Berbera del Monferrato Superiore DOCG
Nizza (min 12 months in wood)
the other two require only 6 months
Barbera in the Cuneo province carries what appellation?
Barbera d’Alba DOC
What are the three Dolcetto-based DOCG in Piedmont?
Dolcetto di Diano d’Alba DOCG
Dogliani DOCG
Dolcetto di Ovada Superiore DOCG
Which DOCG is Piedmont’s largest for sparkling wine?
Asti DOCG
What are the three sub zones of Asti DOCG?
Canelli
Strevi
Santa Vittoria d’Alba
What is the Martinotti method?
Charmat Method
What is the Asti method?
Sparkling wine fermentation technique in which grape must is kept chilled until needed and then fermented in autoclaves and then bottled when desired alcohol level is achieved giving a slightly sparkling, sweet wine of low alcohol that is produced from one single fermentation rather than two.
What is the max pressure for Moscato d’Asti?
Max 2.5 atm
What are the colors, styes, and sweetness levels permitted for the Canelli DOCG?
Sweet, frizzante, white from 100% Moscato
Essentially a superior DOCG to Asti for Moscato d’Asti
True or False, Brochetto d’Acqui can be produced in passito style?
True
Are Alta Langa DOCG wines allowed to be made NV in style?
No must be made exclusively in vintage style.
What are the aging requirements for Alta Lange DOCG normale and riserva?
Both are 9 months min on the lees.
Normale for 30 months total aging.
Riserva for 36 months total aging.
Wines labeled with the name “Derthona” are from where and produced from what grape?
Colli Tortonesi DOC; Timorasso
The Monleale sub zone of the Colli Tortonesi DOC is for what grape?
Barbera
Vigna del Parroco is a wine produced from what grape from who?
Ruche; Ferraris
What are the dominant soil types west of the Sesia river in Gattinara compared to those east in Ghemme?
Volcanic in the west and gravelly and alluvial in the east.
What is Spanna often blended with in Alto Piemonte?
Uva Rara
Croatian
Vespolina
How does the climate of Ghemme compare to Gattinara?
It’s cooler and thus is typically more likely a blend.
Lake Viverone is a significant climatic feature of what DOCG?
Erbaluce di Caluso DOCG; humidity helps with the appassimento process where it facilitates the development of noble rot.
White wine from the Canavese DOC, Costa della Sesia DOC, and the Colline Novaresi DOC is produced from what grape?
Erbaluce
The topia system is another name for what form of vine training in Valle d’Aosta?
Pergola
Nus is a sub zone of Valle d’Aosta and is primarily known for white wines produced from what grape?
Pinot Griggio where it is called Malvoisie there.