Piedmont/Piemonte Flashcards
Which mountain range is considered the “spine” of Italy? Where is it located?
The Apennine Mountains are considered to be the spine of Italy. It runs north to south down the Italian peninsula.
Which mountain range brackets Italy’s spine in the north?
The Alps bracket the Apennine Mountain chain in the north.
True or False:
Like many other European countries, Italy’s formal boundaries were set in the late Middle Ages.
False. The country we know as Italy today was not unified until 1861.
In what year was Italy unified?
1861
To what does the term “Piedmont” translate?
“The Foot of the Mountain”
Where is Piedmont located?
Piedmont is located in northwest Italy in the foothills south of the Po River
What are Piedmonts main provinces of production?
There are three main provinces of production:
Asti
Alessandria
Cuneo
True or False:
Piedmont is cradled on three sides by mountains.
True
What river cuts through the heart of Piedmont?
The Po River
How would one describe the overall climate of Piedmont?
Piedmont’s overall climate is Continental. The Alps provide a rain shadow although Autumn hail can be quite troublesome, especially in the Langhe Hills.
In which three provinces will one encounter the Langhe and Monferrato Hills?
The Langhe and Monferrato Hills are located in the Asti, Alssandria, and Cuneo Provinces.
How would one describe the overall topography of Piedmont?
Piedmont, as the name suggests, is quite mountainous. 43% of the total surface are is covered with mountains with hills making up an additional 30%
True or False:
Piedmont is Italy’s second largest region.
True
True or False:
Piedmont contains 7 IGT zones.
False. Piedmont does not produce IGT wines.
How many DOCs are contained in Piedmont?
Piedmont is home to 42 DOC zones
How many DOCGs are contained in Piedmont?
Piedmont has 17 DOCG zones
What is Piedmont’s most noble red grape?
Nebbiolo
Is Nebbiolo indigenous to Piedmont?
Maybe? It’s definitely from the nor west of Italy but could have originated in either Piedmont of Valtellina in northern Lombardy
Which of Piedmonts rivers exert the most influence on regional viticulture?
The Po and the Tanaro Rivers are Piedmont’s most important.
Geographically speaking, where are the Langhe Hills located?
The Langhe Hills are located in the Cuneo Province east of the Tanaro Tiver
What are Sori?
Sori are vineyard sites with prized southern exposures
How did Nebbiolo get its name?
The grape is supposedly named for the morning fog “la nebbia” that prolongs the grapes ripening process. The grape also produces a powdery veil on the outside of the grape after veraison which look like fog.
When was the grape Nebbiolo first mentioned in Piedmont?
Nebbiolo was first mentioned y name is 1431 in the statue of La Morra
What are Piedmont’s most notable red grapes?
Dolcetto
Barbera
Barbera
What does “Dolcetto” mean?
Little sweet one
How would one generally characterize wines produces from the Dolcetto grape?
Wines are generally tannic and fruity with lower acidity than Barbera and Nebbiolo. Wines are typically designed for earlier consumption although there are certainly exceptions to this rule.
What is Piedmont’s most planted red grape?
Barbera
True or False:
Nebbiolo is Piedmonts most planted red grape.
False. That distinction belongs to Barbera
How would one generally characterize wines produced from the Barbera grape?
Although the grape is subject to stylistic interpretation, wines typically express high acidity and relatively low tannin.
Name Piedmont’s most notable, indigenous red grapes approved for DOC/DOCG production [15]
Nebbiolo Barbera Dolcetto Brachetto Grignolino Ruche Croatina Vespolina Freisa Pelaverga Uva Rara Malvasia di Schierano Malvasia Nera Lunga Malvasia di Casorzo Pelaverga Piccolo
What is another name for the grape Moscato Bianco?
Muscat a Petit Grains
What is Piedmont’s most planted white grape varietal?
Moscato Bianco [aka Muscat a Petit Grains]
True or False:
Piedmont has a long tradition of production dry whites from Moscato Bianco.
False. Most of the Moscato Bianco grapes of Piedmont are made into the sweet-ish sparkling wines of Asti
Name Piedmont’s most notable, indigenous white grapes approved for DOC/DOCG production [4]
Cortese
Arneis
Erbaluce
Favorita [Vermentino]
True or False
Over half of Piedmont’s production is DOC quality
True
What are Piedmont’s most prestigious red DOCGs?
Barolo DOCG
Barbaresco DOCG
Barolo and Barbaresco are located along the _________ river in the _________ province inside the larger _________ DOC
Tanaro River
Cuneo Province
Langhe DOC
Barolo and Barbaresco are both produced from what varietal?
Nebbiolo
How many clones of Nebbiolo are used in winemaking? What are they?
3 out of a total of 40 identified clones are used in winemaking:
Lampia
Michet
Rose Nebbiolo
Rose Nebbiolo, which is actually a distinct varietal from Nebbiolo, has fallen out of favor due to its light color.
What are the pros and cons to Nebbiolo’s Lampia Clone?
Pros:
The Lampia strain adapts best to different soil types.
Cons:
Due to Nebbiolo’s history of inbreeding, the Lampia strain is prone to viral diseases.
How does viral infection effect the Nebbiolo’s Lampia clone?
Viral diseases cause the vine canes to split or fork.
What re the pros and cons to Nebbiolo’s Michet Clone?
Pros:
Less susceptible to viral diseases
Its smaller bunches, coupled with its naturally low yields, produce highly concentrated vines.
Cons:
Adapts poorly to different soil types
True or False:
Most winegrowers prefer to cultivate only 1 clone of Nebbiolo in their vineyards to promote consistence and true varietal expression.
False. Growers typically maintain a variety of Nebbiolo clones to maximize their wine’s complexity.
What aromatics are commonly associated with the wines of Barolo and Barbaresco?
Tar
Truffle
Rose Petals
Dried Fruit
How many communes are approved to produce Barolo DOCG?
11 Communes can produce Barolo DOCG wines
Name all 11 communes of Barolo
Barolo Novello La Morra Castiglione Falletto Serralunga d'Alba Monforte d'Alba Diano d'Alba Grinzane Cavour Verduno Roddi d'Alba Cherasco
90% of Barolo’s production is centered in which 5 communes
Barolo La Morra Castiglione Falletto Serralunga d'Alba Monforte d'Alba
True or False:
All things considered, Nebbiolo is one of the less finicky grape varietals and can be successfully ripen on a variety of soils and exposures.
False!
Nebbiolo, like Pinot Noir, can be a total bitch to ripen! Its super finicky and requires sites with the perfect aspect to ripen.
La Morra is noted for its __________ soils which are characterized by a higher proportion of _________________. This produces a _______ style wine.
Tortonian soils
Calcareous Marl
This produces a softer style of wine
Serralunga d’Alba is noted for its _________ soils which are characterized by a higher proportion of __________. This produces a ________ style of wine.
Serravallian [Helvetian] soils
Sand and Sandstone
This produces a more structured style of wine
Who is Ferdinando Vignolo-Lutati?
in the 1930s, Lutati public the benchmark work on the geological makeup of the Barolo growing zone. He divided the area into three geological ages::
Helvetian [later known as Serravallian]
Tortonian
Messinian
Name the 3 major geological ages represented in the Barolo DOCG growing zone
Serravallian [formerly known as Helvetian]
Tortonian
Messinian
Generally speaking, what is the composition of the soils found in the Langhe hills?
Generally speaking, the Langhe is composed of marine sediments characterized by a substratum of alternating layers of [clay and calcium carbonate] marls and sandstone
What are the Langhe’s 3 principle geological formations?
Lequio Formation
Sant’Agata Fossili Marls
Arenarie di Diano d’Alba
What is the Lequio Formation?
The Lequio Formation is the oldest geological formation found in the Barolo growing zone.
Formed in the Serravallian and Tortonian Ages
Formation consists of silty marls [made up or clay and calcium carbonate] and sandstone
Ranges from light yellowfins, almost white, tending to gray.
The Lequio Formation is predominately found in Serralunga d’Alba and parts of Monforte d’Alba
Where is the Lequio formation likely encountered?
The Lequio formation is commonly associated with Serralunga d’Alba but is also found in parts of Monforte d’Alba
Which of Barolo’s geological formations is the oldest?
The Lequio Formation
Where are you most likely to come across Sant’Agata Fossili Marls?
Sant’Agata Fossili Marls are typically found in the villages of Barolo and La Morra as well as in Barbaresco
What is Sant’Agata Fossili?
Sant’Agata Fossili are marls predominantly from the Tortonian age and part of the Messinian.
It consists mainly of Calcareous clay and marl that are blue-ish gray in color.
These marls are common in the villages of Barolo and La Morra as well as in Barbaresco DOCG
What is Arenarie di Diano d’Alba?
It is a geological formation for primarily in Castiglione Falletto. It is particularly rich in sand – especially in the subsoils.
Where are you likely to encounter Arenarie di Diano d’Alba?
Arenaire di Diano d’Alba is asociale with the Castiglione Falletto region of Barolo
True or False::
Grapes planted on sandy soils perform better in rainy years.
True
True or False::
Serralunga d’Alba produces some of Barolo’s most structure and long-lived wines.
True
True or False::
Barolo and La Morra produce some of the most perfumed wines of the Barolo DOCG.
True
True or False::
Castiglione Falletto produces wines imbued with both structure and elegance.
True
Which of Barolo’s communes tend to perform better in rainy vintages? Why?
Due to the high proportions of sand and sandstone, certain areas of Monforte d’Alba, Barolo, and Castigione Falletto perform better in rainy years. Sand and Sandstone drain quickly.
In a year with low precipitation, which of Barolo’s communes fares the best? Why?
La Morra has the highest proportion of clay and ends to fare better in years with low precipitation. The clay has water holding capacity that will aid vines in dry years.
True or False::
The higher the proportion of calcium carbonate found in the soil, the less structure the resulting wine will have.
False. More calcium carbonate = more structure
Which commune’s soils in Barolo contain the most calcium carbonate?
Serralunga d’Alba
True or False::
La Morra’s soils have the least amount of calcium carbonate.
True
What is the main geological formation of Barbaresco?
Sant’Agata Fossili Marls
Match the Barolo Zone to its geological age and dominating geological feature::
Zones:
La Morra Serralunga d'Alba Monforte d'Alba Barolo Castiglione Falletto
Geological Age:
Serravalian [Helvetian]
Tortonian
Messinian
Geological Feature:
Lequio
Sant’Agata Fossili Marls
Arenarie di Diano d’Alba
La Morra = Tortonian/Messinian, Sant’Agata Fossils Marls
Castiglione Falletto = Serravallian, Arenarie di Diano d’Alba
Serralunga d’Alba = Serravallian, Lequio Formation
Monforte d’Alba = Serravallian, Lequio
Barolo = Tortonian, Sant’Agata Fossils Marls
How would one describe the overall climate of Barolo and Barbaresco?
The lower are of the Langhe hills [where Barolo and Barbaresco are located] has a temperate continental climate with hot summers and cold winters.
True or False::
Barbaresco has a longer growing season than Barolo.
False. Barolo has a longer growing system.
Does diurnal temperature variation play a role in Barolo and Barbaresco?
Yes. Diurnal temperatur variation is crucial to prolonging Nebbiolo’s growing season which in turn generates wines with intense aromas and complexities.
What is the elevation range for Barolo’s best vineyards?
Barolos’s best vineyards lie between 200 and 450 meters above sea level [656 - 1476 feet]
Do Barolo and Barbaresco have the same climate?
No. Barbaresco enjoys a milder climate due to its proximity to the Tanaro River.
True or False::
Barolo soils are low in PH
False
Prior to 2010, what were Barolo’s aging requirements?
Prior to 2010, Barolo DOCG was required to age for a total of 3 years including 2 years in oak or chestnut cask [chestnut casks rarely used]