Piedmont/Tuscany Flashcards
1
Q
What does Piedmont translate to?
A
“The foot of the mountain”
2
Q
What mountains boarder Piedmont?
A
Apennines and the Alps
3
Q
Which river cuts through the heart of the region in Peidmont?
A
Po river
4
Q
Where does the Po river flow?
A
flows eastward from its headwaters in the Western Alps
5
Q
Where are most of Piedmonts vineyards?
A
South of the Po Valley
in the provinces of Asti, Alessandria, and Cuneo (within these provinces you have Monferrato and Langhe hills)
6
Q
What are the soil types of Piedmont?
A
Thinner, calcareous marl and sandstone soils with varying percentages of clay and sand, coupled with the sub-mountainous landscape, create a number of distinct mesoclimates throughout the region
7
Q
What is Piedmonts climate?
A
Continental
8
Q
Which mountain range creates a rain shadow for Piedmont?
A
The Alps
9
Q
What can be a viticultural threat to Piedmont?
A
Autumn hail in the Langhe hills
10
Q
What is nebbiolo translate/named after?
A
The morning fog
11
Q
What are the main red grapes of Piedmont?
A
Nebbiolo
Dolcetto
Barbera
12
Q
What are the other red grapes of Piedmont
A
Brachetto Grignolino Ruchè Croatina Vespolina Freisa
13
Q
What does Dolcetto translate to?
A
“little sweet one”
14
Q
Which red grape is the earliest to ripen and the latest to ripen in Piedmont?
A
Dolcetto - earliest
Nebbiolo - latest
15
Q
What grape is moscato bianco in the rest of the world?
A
Muscat a Petits Grains
16
Q
What is the most planted white grape in Piedmont?
A
Moscato Bianco (Muscat a Petits Grains)
17
Q
What are the main white grapes of Piedmont?
A
Moscato Bianco Cortese Arneis Erbaluce Favorita (Vermentino)
18
Q
What international grapes are grown in Peidmont?
A
Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Syrah, Sauvignon Blanc
19
Q
True or False: Piedmont is home to more DOC zones than any other region in Italy
A
True
20
Q
What are the most prestigious DOCG’s in Piedmont?
A
Barolo
Barbaresco
21
Q
Where are Barolo and Barbaresco located?
A
located along the Tanaro River
in the Cuneo Province
an area encapsulated by the larger Langhe DOC
22
Q
What are the characteristics of Barolo and Barbaresco?
A
Barolo wines are typically more powerful and long-lived
whereas Barbaresco is slightly softer and regarded as Barolo’s more feminine counterpart, although many individual examples contradict this generalization.
The aromas of tar, truffle, rose petals, and dried fruits are classically attributed to both wines, and their color is characteristically moderate in concentration and orange-tinged even in youth.
23
Q
How many communes are in Barolo?
A
11 communes
24
Q
Which 5 communes represent almost 90% of the DOCG boundaries of Barolo?
A
La Morra
Barolo
Castiglione Falletto
Monforte d’Alba
Serralunga d’Alba
25
What are the soil types in La Morra?
Tortonian soils, which contain a higher proportion of calcareous marl
26
What are the soil types of Monforte d’Alba, Serralunga d’Alba, and Castiglione Falletto?
Serravallian (Helvetian) sandstone soils are more common
27
Who are the traditionalists vs the modernists in Barolo?
older winemaking techniques
Giacomo Conterno
Bartolo Mascarello
Giuseppe Rinaldi
and the “modernists” who embraced barriques, shorter macerations, and a rounder style of wine
Paolo Scavino
Luciano Sandrone
Elio Altare.
28
What are the current aging requirements for Barolo?
Aging Requirements:
Barolo: 38 months from November 1 of the harvest year, including 18 months in wood.
29
What are the current aging requirements for Barolo riserva?
Barolo Riserva: 62 months from November 1 of the harvest year, including 18 months in wood.
30
When was Barolo established as a DOCG?
1980
| 1966 (DOC)
31
What is the minimum alcohol of Barolo?
13%
32
What is the difference between the new Barolo aging requirements vs the old?
less wood aging is required now than before
2 yrs old requirement
18 months new requirement
33
What year did the aging requirements in Barolo change?
2010
34
What are the three towns of Barbaresco?
Neive
Barbaresco
Treiso
35
What are the aging requirements for Barbaresco?
The wines must be aged for a minimum of 26 months from November 1st of the harvest year (including at least 9 months in cask) prior to release.
36
Name some high quality producers that make Barbaresco.
Angelo Gaja - Mondernist
Bruno Giacosa - Traditionalist
Produttori del Barbaresco - Co-Op
37
What are single vineyards called in Piedmont?
crus
38
What is the best cru in Barolo?
Cannubi
39
What is the best cru in Barbaresco?
Rabajà
40
What is Barolo Chinato?
DOCG aromatized wine that is flavored with quinine.
Cappellano is the standard bearer.
41
Name the 11 communes of Barolo.
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
```
42
What Province are Barolo and Barbaresco in?
Cuneo
43
What is the minimum alcohol percentage for Barbaresco?
12.5%
44
When did Roero go from DOC to DOCG?
2004
45
Where is Roero DOCG located?
lies on the northwestern bank of the Tanaro River, opposite Barolo and Barbaresco
46
Where are Gattinara DOCG and Ghemme DOCG?
North of the PO River.
They straddle the Sesia River
47
What grapes are often blended with nebbiolo in Gattinara and Ghemme?
Vespolina
| Bonarda
48
What is the synonym for Nebbiolo in northern Piedmont?
Spanna
49
Besides Gattinara and Ghemme which other northern zones produce nebbiolo?
West to East
Carema DOC
Lessona DOC
Sizzano DOC
50
When did Barbara start to be grown on a DOCG level and what are the zones?
2008
Barbera d’Asti
Barbera del Monferrato Superiore
51
What are the aging requirements of Barbera d'Asti?
Barbera d’Asti may be released as normale after a short four-month aging period
52
What are the aging requirements in Barbera del Monferrato?
must be superiore and spends 14 months aging prior to release, including six months in cask
53
The Monferrato hills received a third DOCG in late 2010: what is it?
Ruchè di Castagnole Monferrato
the local Ruche grape
54
Is Nizza a DOC or DOCG and what year was it approved?
DOCG 2014
55
The region's fourth DOCG, Nizza, was approved for 100% (Blank) varietal wines
Barbera
56
Nizza used to be a subzone to which DOCG?
Barbera d'Asti DOCG
57
Three DOCG wines are produced from 100% Dolcetto: what are they?
Dogliani
Dolcetto di Ovada Superiore (Ovada)
Dolcetto di Diano d'Alba (Diano d'Alba)
58
(Blank) was the first still white wine in Piedmont to be promoted to the DOCG level
Gavi (Cortese di Gavi)
59
What is the white grape produced in Gavi?
Cortese
60
What is Gavi white wine like?
Gavi’s dry, mineral-tinged whites are produced from the Cortese grape. Although the wines are generally still (tranquillo), spumante or frizzante versions are sometimes encountered.
61
Where is Erbaluce di Calusos located?
an appellation just south of Carema
62
What is the grape in Erbaluce di Caluso?
The white wines, produced from the high-acid, herbal-scented Erbaluce grape, may be still, spumante, or passito in style, with the latter type generally provoking the most praise.
63
When did Erbaluce di Caluso transition from DOC to DOCG?
2010
64
Which DOCG is the largest producer of wine in Italy?
Asti
65
What does spumante mean?
fully sparkling
66
What does frizzante mean?
slightly sparkling
67
Moscato d'Asti is spumante or frizzante?
Frizzante
68
Where are traditional method sparkling wines produced in Piedmont?
Alta Langa DOCG
Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes are used
69
Alta Langa aging requirements?Spumante and riserva versions.
Alta Langa spumante wines spend 30 months en tirage
riserva versions, a full three years.
70
True or False: Both and dry and still versions exist of Brachetto d'Acqui DOCG
True
71
Barolo Chinato is most similar to which of the following beverage styles?
Vermouth di Torino
72
Match the following Barolo crus with their respective commune.
Villero
Ginestra
Cannubi
Rochee dell'Annunziata
Villero - Castiglione Falleto
Ginestra - Monforte d'Alba
Cannubi - Barolo
Rochee dell'Annunziata - La Morra
73
What are the aging requirements for Barolo normale?
38 months from month of harvest with 18 months in oak
74
The city of Torino is geographically closest to which of the following DOCG zones?
Brachetto d'Acqui DOCG
75
Where is Tuscany?
On the Tyrrhenian Coast of Italy
76
What is the name of the squat, straw-covered Chianti bottles came to epitomize the rustic, cheap nature of Italian wine in the late 1960s, ‘70s, and ‘80s?
Fiasco
77
Who released the first vintage of Sassicaia and what year was it?
Marquis Mario Rocchetta
| 1968
78
How many DOCG's are in Tuscany?
11
79
What is the climate of Tuscany?
Mediterranean climate, winters can be harsh and summers can be long and hot
80
What is the main red grape of Tuscany?
Sangiovese
81
Consorzio Vino Chianti Classico’s “Chianti Classico 2000 Project" when did it start and what was it for?
clonal studies
| 1987
82
What are the other red grapes of Tuscany?
Colorino
Canaiolo Nero
Cabernet Sauvignon
Merlot
83
What is the main white grape of Tuscany?
Trebbiano Toscano
84
What are the other white grapes of Tuscany?
Malvasia
Vernaccia
San Gimignano
Vermentino
85
True or False: 85% of the wine made in Tuscany is red.
True
86
What is the most famous Tuscan wine region?
Chianti DOCG
87
When was Chianti elevated to DOCG?
1984
88
What are the 8 subzones of Chianti?
```
Rùfina - the best
Classico - the best
Colli Fiorentini
Colli Senesi
Colli Aretini
Colline Pisane
Montalbano
Montespertoli
```
89
Name two high quality producers in Rufina?
Frescobaldi and Selvapiana
90
What are the blending laws in Chianti and when were they updated?
1996
| 70 to 100% Sangiovese, although wines from the Colli Senesi subzone must contain a minimum 75% of the grape
91
What is governo?
refermentation with the juice of dried grapes, to strengthen the wine and initiate malolactic fermentation—is legally permitted
92
What are the aging requirements of Chianti Normale?
Chianti normale may be released on March 1 of the year following the harvest; however, the Florentine subzones of Rùfina, Montespertoli, and Colli Fiorentini require additional aging.
93
What are the aging requirements of Chianti Riserva?
released on March 1st With two years of aging, Chianti may be labeled riserva
94
What are the requirements for Chianti Superiore?
Chianti Superiore wines require an additional half-degree of alcohol and lowered vineyard yields.
95
What are the minimum alcohol requirements for Chianti Classico?
Minimum Alcohol:
Chianti Classico: 12%
Riserva: 12.5%
Gran Selezione: 13%
96
What are the Chianti Classico aginging requirements for Gran Selezione?
Gran Selezione: Wines must be produced from estate fruit. Minimum 30 months aging from January 1 of the year following the harvest, including at least 3 months in the bottle (new category was approved in 2014 for wines beginning with the 2010 vintage, though wines from an earlier vintage can apply for this recognition pending they can provide documentation that demonstrates all requirements have been met)
97
What are the four original villages of Chianti that are in the Chianti Classico zone?
Greve
Castellina
Radda
Gaiole
98
What are the two main soil types of Chianti Classico?
the soft, friable, marl-like galestro and alberese, or sandstone
99
As of 2006 what is no longer allowed in the Chianti Classico blend?
white grapes are no longer permitted
100
What are the aging requirements of Chianti Classico?
the wines may not be released until October 1st of the year following harvest.
101
What are the aging requirements of Chianti Classico riserva?
Riserva wines must be aged for a minimum 24 months, with at least 3 months in bottle and a minimum alcohol level of 12.5%
102
As of 2021, what changed for Chianti Classico Gran Selezione?
90% of the blend must be Sangiovese
103
What is typically the wood vessel of choice for aging Chianti Classico?
barrique
104
What is the province of Brunello di Montalcino?
Siena
105
What grapes can be in the Brunello blend?
100% Sangiovese (locally known as Brunello)
106
What is the minimum alcohol of Brunello di Montalcino DOCG?
12.5%
107
What are the aging requirements of Brunello di Montalcino?
Brunello: Minimum 2 years in wood plus 4 months in bottle, may not be sold before January 1 of the 5th year following the harvest
108
What are the aging requirements of Brunello Riserva?
Brunello Riserva: Minimum 2 years in wood plus 6 months in bottle, may not be sold before January 1 of the 6th year following the harvest
109
What are the principal soils of Brunello di Montalcino?
Clay and marine sediments at lower elevation, galestro at higher elevation.
110
Whos given the credit for creating the Brunello style?
Clemente Santi of Tenuta Greppo’s Biondi-Santi
first to isolate the clone and bottle it alone
111
Name some high quality producers of Brunello di Montalcino?
Casanova di Neri, Mastrojanni—toward small barrels and shorter macerations, in the hope of rounding and fleshing out the wine.
Others, such as Biondi-Santi, Talenti, and Soldera, remain more traditional in their approach.
112
What is the "junior" version of Brunello called?
Rosso di Montalcino DOC
113
What is the blend of Rosso di Montalcino?
100% Sangiovese
114
What are the aging requirements for Rosso di Montalcino?
The wines must be aged for one year prior to release, although cask aging is not required.
115
What was the Sant’Antimo DOC created for?
created in 1996, provides Montalcino producers an outlet for “Super-Tuscan” wines. Any grape authorized in Tuscany may be utilized for Sant’Antimo DOC, and the wines may be either red or white
116
What is produced in Moscadello di Montalcino DOC?
exists for white wines from the region, produced from the Moscadello (Moscato Bianco) grape. Moscadello wines are often sweet, and may be still or sparkling.
117
Where is Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG?
To the east of Montalcino
118
True or False: Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG the distinction of being one of the first DOCGs in Italy, awarded in (blank)
True
| 1980
119
What is the blending law of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG ?
70% Sangiovese (Prugnolo Gentile clone) and, as of 2010, a maximum 30% other varieties of Tuscany, including no more than 5% of white varieties
120
What are the aging requirements of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG?
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano: Minimum 2 years aging from January 1 of the year following the harvest, with the following options:
24 months in wood
Minimum 18 months in wood plus 6 months in an alternative container
Minimum 12 months in wood and a minimum 6 months in bottle, with the remainder in an alternative container
121
What are the aging requirements for Riserva Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG?
Riserva: Minimum 3 years aging, including at least 6 months in bottle, from January 1 of the year following the harvest
122
What is the minimum alcohol for Vino Nobile di Montepulciano?
Minimum Alcohol:
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano: 12.5%
Riserva: 13%
123
When did Morellino di Scansano DOCG achieve DOCG status?
2006
124
When were Sassicaia and Tignanello released?
1968
| 1971
125
What were Sasscaia and Tiganello originally classfied as?
vino da tavola (table wine)
126
Name some other high end super tuscans.
Antinori’s Cabernet-based Solaia
the Bordeaux blend Ornellaia and the Merlot-based Masseto
and the 100% Cabernet Franc Paleo Rosso from Le Macchiole
127
Name three of the first Super Tuscans that are 100% Sangiovese.
San Felice's Vigorello
Montevertine’s Le Pergole Torte
Isole e Olena’s Cepparello
were three of the first 100% Sangiovese “Super-Tuscan” wines, released as vino da tavola before Chianti regulations permitted pure varietal bottlings.
128
What are the aging requirements for Bolgheri Superiore and alcohol minimum?
Bolgheri Superiore wines are aged for a minimum two years (one year in oak barrels) and show a minimum alcohol of 12.5%.
129
What is the main white grape of Bolgheri?
Vermentino
then sauvignon blanc
130
Bolgheri Sassicaia became a subzone when?
1983
131
when did the Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC status?
2013
132
Where is the isle of Elba?
Off the coast of Maremma
133
What is the isle of Elba known for?
French Emperor Napoleon's exile of 1814
134
What is the style of wine in Elba Aleatico Passito DOCG ?
Sweet red passito wines made from the Aleatico grape
135
What has Aleatico been gentically linked to?
Muscat Blanc a Petits Grains (possibly it is a red skinned mutation)
136
What is special about Vernaccia di San Gimignano DOCG?
its the only white wine in tuscany to have DOCG status
137
What kind of wine does Vernaccia di San Gimignano DOCG?
a crisp, pink grapefruit-tinged white wine produced on sandy, rock-strewn soils around the hilltop town of San Gimignano in the Siena province.
138
True or False: Elba Aleatico Passito is the only dessert wine to reach DOCG status
True
139
What is Vin Santo?
Vin santo, or “holy wine,” is a high alcohol, almond- and honey-toned dried grape wine produced from Trebbiano and Malvasia grapes.
140
What is “Occhio di Pernice”?
It is a sweet wine. In Montepulciano. Grechetto is sometimes authorized, and rosé versions called “Occhio di Pernice” are produced with a minimum of 50% Sangiovese added to the white grapes.
141
What are the minimum alcohol requirements of Vin Santo?
Minimum Alcohol:
Vin Santo del Chianti: 15.5% (13% acquired)
Vin Santo from a subzone: 16% (13% acquired)
Vin Santo Occhio di Pernice: 16.5% (14% acquired)
Vin Santo Occhio di Pernice from a subzone: 17% (14% acquired)
142
What are the Vin Santo aging requirements?
dditional Requirements:
Vin Santo/Vin Santo Occhio di Pernice:
grapes must obtain a minimum 26% sugar content through the drying process for Vin Santo del Chianti and 27% for Vin Santo Occhio di Pernice or Vin Santo from a subzone.
aging must take place in wooden vessels no larger than 500L.
143
Vin Santo way of making wine. What is the process?
The grapes are hung from rafters to dry for a specified time set by each DOC—the grapes are usually raisinated until December 1, at least. A period of slow fermentation and aging in caratelli barrels follows, for a period of between three and eight years, depending on the style. Chestnut wood is traditionally used, allowing rapid oxidation, although many modern producers have switched to oak. The barrels are never topped—alcohol is concentrated through evaporation and the wine gains its characteristic amber hue. The final style of vin santo may be dry or sweet, depending on the length of the appassimento process.
144
When Vin Santo is fortified it is called?
Liquoroso
145
Vin Santo is a traditional ________ wine of Tuscany.
Dessert
146
Which of the following regions borders Tuscany.
Umbria
147
True or False: Cabernet Sauvignon can be included in the blends of Chianti and Chianti Classico DOCG wines.
True
148
Where is Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG located?
Tuscany
149
Prior to 1992, Super Tuscan styles were classified/labelled as __________.
Vino di Tavola
Now they are an IGT
150
Which of the following bodies of water has the most impact on Tuscany's climate?
Mediterranean Sea
151
Siena and Firenze are two major cities in which Italian region?
Tuscany
152
The Bolgheri DOC is most famous for which of the following styles of wine?
Bordeaux Blends
153
Which of the following designations was created as a commercial outlet for Super Tuscan styles?
Toscana IGT
154
The Sant'Antimo DOC serves as an outlet for the production of Super Tuscan styles for which of the following regions?
Brunello di Montalcino
155
What is the required aging for Brunello di Montalcino Riserva wines?
2 years in wood, 6 months in bottle, released after January 1 of the 6th year after harvest
156
Match the following producers to their wines.
Antinori
Felsina
Tua Rita
Le Macchiole
Antinori - Tignanello
Felsina - Fontalloro
Tua Rita - Redigaffi
Le Macchiole - Paleo Rosso
157
Rúfina, Colli Senesi, and Montespertoli are subzones of which region?
Chianti DOCG
158
Which of the following wineries is credited with the creation of the Brunello di Montalcino style?
Biondi-Santi
159
Castelnuovo dell'Abate, Torrenieri, and Sant'Angelo in Colli are frazioni connected to what famous commune?
Montalcino
160
What is the principal grape in a Montefalco Rosso wine?
Sangiovese
161
2013 Tenuta San Guido "Sassicaia" was released under what appellation?
Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC
