Piemonte Flashcards
CATA
How many hectares are cultivated in Piemonte?
45.000
Is it the first region in Italy in surface?
No, the first one is sicily
How many DOCG, DOC and IGT are in Piemonte?
17 DOCG
42 DOC
0 IGT
Were the Piemonte wines famous amongst romans?
No
How many unique varieties does the Piemonte has
20 unique varieties
Are international varieties important in Piemonte?
No
Which where the first tribes in Piemonte around 1000 BC
Taurini
Salasi
From who both Taurini and Salasi learnt about winemaking?
From Etruscans
What did happen with Taurasi ans Salesi around 400 BC?
The celitics and together they confronted Rome
Name 5 cities founded by Romans
Ivrea
Asti
Alba
Novara
Vercelli
Did the Barbarian Invasions afffected the Piemonte region?
Not so much
What kind of organization occured when the Lombards entered in the VI to Piemonte?
There is a division un duchies and counties
Marquisates (Montferrato and Saluzzo)
City states (Asti, Alessandria, Novara)
What does happen in Piemonte after the arrival of the Lombards in the VI?
In the VIII the Franks appear bringing the Holy Roman Empire
Who managed the middle age viticulture
Catholic monks
Which city was considered as the most advanced in the middle ages
Montferrato
Which were the the first varieties in appprear in Piemonte?
Nebbiolo
Moscato
What important marriage did occur in 1045?
Oddone Count of Savoy
Adelaide de Susa Marquise of Torino
What did happed in the XVIII in Piemonte?
Savoia acquired most of NW of Italy transforming the Duchy of Savoya in the KIngdom of Serdegna
After the Napoleon defeat in 1815 it takes Italy what important movement? Who was on the of the main actors?
The Risorgimiento
KIngdom of Serdegna Prime Minister CAVOUR
When is founded the Kingdom of Italy?
1861
Which cities became aroun 1872 as centers of monitoring and experimentation in the Piemonte?
Asti and Gattinara
When was founded in 1855?
Oenological schol of Alba
In which order did the pests come?
- Oidium
- Phyloxera
- Mildew
Amongst what altitudes are stiuated most of vineyards in Piemonte?
Between 150 and 400 msnm
What can you say about the other cultive in Piemonte?
RICE
Piemonte is the largest producer in Italy
The type arborio
Vercelli has several ruce fields
Which is the orographic frame that closes Piemonte?
North : Alps
South : Ligurian apenines and maritime alps
West : Alps
Which is the % of the ring of mountains, hills and flat plains in the piemonte?
Mountains 43%
Hills 30%
Flat 27% (the upper part of the Pianura Padana), Plains of Novara and Planis of Vercelli
Is there any intermediate mountains to the West?
No.
There are just clusters of mountains.
Important cities of Montferrato, Langhe and Roero, Novara and Vercelli and the Hills of Tortona
Montferrato: Asti and Alessandria
Langhe and Roero Cuneo
Novara and Vercelli Novara and Vercelli
Hills of Tortona Alessandria
Name the tributaries of the Po River to the north and to the south
North
Ticino, Sesia, Dora Baltea, Dora Riparia
South
Tanaro
Bormida
How can be defined the climate in Piemonte?
When are snow, fogs and hail common
Continental with several microclimates and macroclimates
Snow : common in winter
Fogs common in autum and winter
Hail late summer - early autum (Langhe, Montferrato)
Which is the average Temperature in
Piemonte?
12°C
(13°C to the south)
Why is the rain limited?
Where is the highest level of rain found?
Due to the shadow effect of the Alps (500-600 mm in Cuneo and Montferrato)
Highest: South piemonte (900 - 1200)
Albugnano DOC
Piemonte DOC
Barbera d’Asti DOC
Cortese dell’Alto Montferrato
Dolcetto d’Asti DOC
Freisa d’Asti DOC
Loazzolo DOC
Malvasia del Castelnuovo Don Bosco
Ruche de Castiglione Montferrato
Which are the most famous grapes of Piemonte (70% of the production)
Dolcetto
Nebbiolo
Barbera
Moscato Bianco
Namer the secondary 10 grape varieties of Piemonte
Freisa
Brachetto
Girngolino
Croatina
Malvasia di Scheriano
Malvasia di Casorzo
Ruché
Uva Rara
Vespolina
Which is the most planted grape variety and where it is more common?
BARBERA
Asti
Alessandria
Which is the most prestigiuos grape variety in the whole Piemonte?
NEBBIOLO
Barolo and Barbaresco
Langhe Nebbiolo
Nebbiolo d’Alba
Roero
Gattinara
Gheme
Carema
Which is the “nd most popular grape variety in the Piemonte?
Moscato Bianco
Popular for the Asti DOCG
Which is the very expressive grape variety in GAVI DOCG
The Cortese Grape
Where can be located the origin of the Barbera grape?
At the hills of Montferrato in XVII XVIII
Why after phyloxera the producers loved the Barbera Grape?
Because of its productivity
What did happen with the everyday barbera wine (with dolcetto) in the 80 s ?
Started to be:
. late harvested
. aging in new oak¨
. low yields
. acquired aging potential
Is the Barbera eraly or late rippener?
Late rippener
Descritpion of the Barbera grape in acidity, tannins and fruit
. High acidity
. Low tannins
. Cherry fruit
Why are the dolcetto graped called “dolcetto”?
It is the sweetness of the grape when harvested
Where is the dolcetto grape native of?
where is most commonly planted?
Dogliani
Planted in higher or cool places
How does the dolcetto grape rippen compared to barbera and nebbiolo?
It ripens earlier
Descriptors of the dolcetto grape
Deep Colour
Black fruit (ripe, plum, almonds, licquorice)
Tannins
Bitter finish
What kind of soils the Nebbiolo grape loves?
Calcareous marls
Which is the oldest reference for Nebbiolo grape and why it is called Nebbiolo
First reference XIII
Nebbiolo is because the fogs when harvesting
How is the nebbiolo grape about the budding and ripening?
Early budding
Late ripener (difficult to ripe this is why the growers look for south facing and well exposed slopes)
Name early nebbiolo descriptoirs
Ruby - garnet (orange with age)
Red cherry
Rose - violet
Tar
Licquorice
Under bush
Perfume and finesse
Name descriptors for aged nebbiolo
Dried red fruits
Whitered rose petals
Sweet spices
Leather
Truffles
Which are the caracteristics structural descriptors of the Nebbiolo in the palate?
Acid
Tannins
Alcohol
Extracts and flavour concentration
Different Nebbiolo biotypes
Lampia main biotype, highly planted , most reliable
Michet virused fro Lampia
Bolla lesser quality
Rosea distinct variety
Is theFreisa variety also and old one?
Where is it commonly planted?
Yes, it comes from the 16th but lost popularity in front of Dolcetto and Barbera
Usually found at Asti, Langhe and Torino
Which are the organoleptic descriptors of the Freisa variety?
High tannins
High acidity
Wild strawberry - raspberry
Shows bitterness but a sweet finish
It can be dry or sweet.
frizzante or spumante
Which other very old variety was popular with the freisa?
Gringolino
Where does the gringolino name come from?
From gringole which is the name for the pip of the grape
Organolpetic descriptors for the gringolino grape
. Pale red
. Flowers - Red berries
. Pepper - Herbs
. High tannins, high acidity
. Light bodied, light alcohol
Where is the brachetto variety original from?
From Acquiterme (Alessandria)
The brachetto grape is the red equivalent of what grape?
Moscato bianco (redfrizzi and sparkling)
Some notes about the pelaverga piccolo
It is from Pelaverga di Verduno (Langhe) a grape almost forgotten but recovered in the ‘80
It is fruited, spiced with refreshing acidity
Some notes about the ruchè variety
Aroun Castiglinone (Asti)
Perfumed, roses, red fruit, spices
Notes about the Moscato Biando Grape
Es la famosa muscat blanc a petit grains.
It is the most planted since used for Moscato d’Asti and Asti Spumante
Notes of orange blossom, stone fruit, citrus, honey, musk
What do you know about the Cortese grape?
Very productive. Yields must be controlled.
Famous in GAVI DOCG
Refreshing acidity, minerality, lemon Zest
Which is the grape known for having difficult personality also named *the white Nebbiolo**?
Give some characteristics
Arneis Since it is difficult to ripe and its acidity can fall suddenly.
Known since the XV and native from Roero Hills. almost lost.
Recovered by Bruno Giacosa and Vietti (gre
at Barolo and Barbaresco producer)
Medium to Full body, perfumed, complex, white flowers, stone fruit, ripe pear
Where is the Erbaluce found?
Close to Caluso from XVII.
Thick skin and high acidity. It is used for the passitos
When dry is floral, apple and citrus
Notes about the timorasso grape
It is a very ancient grape fround around the hills of Tortona
Good for aging
After the phyloxera it was replaced by more productive grapes as cortese.
In the ‘80 it had almost dissapeared when it was recovered by Walter Massa
High acid, mineral, floral, citrus , honey, creaminess
Which are the properties that a variety has to have to produce passitos
High Acidity
Thick skins
What is the % of red wines produced in Piemonte?
60%
What is the % od wines produced under DOC or DOCG in Piemonte?
90%
Which are the most important cities on wine production in Piemonte?
Alba and Asti
Talking about the high densitiy of plantations in Piemonte, how many hectares has an average familiy state producer?
1 or 2 has
Where does the word VERMOUTH come from?
Wormwood or absenta from the German Wermuth
Created in 1786 by Antonio Benedetto Carpano
Originally produced with Moscato Bianco
Which are the pimemonte subregions?
Northern Piemonte
Nebbiolo, Vercelli, Biella
Nebbiolo, Erbaluce
Western Piemonte and Torini Hills
Foothill of Alps
Alba
Hills og Langhe, Hills og Roero
Nebbiolo
Montferrato
Asti and Alessandria
Barbera, Moscato Bianco
How is it called the nebbiolo grape in Piemonte?
Spanna
Geographical description of Novara and Vercelli Hills
. Altitude
. Important topographic element
. Borders with other regions
. Soils and subsoils origin
. Soils composition
. Which river divides east and west the region
. Borders Lomnbardia
. Altitude : 200 - 500 msnm
. Moraines link between Alps and the plain
Origin of soils : glacial, marine, volcanic
Origin of subsoils volcanic and granitic
The region is divided by SEsia river between East (Novara) and West (Vercelli)
Climate in Piemonte
. Which are the climate moderators?
. More moderated than the hot Po plain
. Received cool winds from Alps
Which was the training system before and today?
Pergola before
Guyot today
What is the final result of the cool winds from Alps.
How do they deal with it?
In the north, is more difficult to acheve maturity for the Nebbiolo
The nebbiolo is softened with vespolina, croatina and uva rara
First Notes about GATTINARA DOCG
One of the most prestigious DOC of Piemonte
100 has of the best natural exposition of all Piemonte
Exports since XIV
In XVI was introduced in the Court of Charles V by Cardinal Mercurino Arborio
In 1990 passed from DOC to DOCG
Soils of Gattinara DOCG
DEscomposed volcanic porphyric subsoil
Where was the Gattinara vineyard planted?
On the Sesia river between 250 - 550 msnm between Gattinara and Vercelli
Which are the most prestigious
Which are the most prestigious Gattinara´single vineyards
. Osso san Grato
. San Francesco
. Castelle
. Molsino
. Valferana
Which are the disciplinare requeriments for Gattinara?
35 months (24 in oak) 3524
47 months (36 in oak) 4736
Descriptors for Gasttinara DOCG
Violets, redberry, tar, spices, forest floor, leather
high tannins, high acidity
Which are the differences between the Langhe and Gattinara´s nebbiolos?
Lighter color and body
More acid
Lower alcohol
Charactaristics of Ghemme DOCG
Which are the soils?
Which are the minimum nebboilo’s content in Ghemme?
Created in 1997
Alluvial and glacial soils
85% Nebbiolo
15% (vespolina, uva rara)
Aging disciplinare requeriments for Ghemme DOCG
34 months (18 in oak) 3418
46 months (24 oak) 4624
Which are the diffeences between Gattinara and Ghemme DOCG nebbiolo´s?
Ghemme ones are more austere and sturdy than Gattinara ones
Characteristics of Lessona DOC
Types of soil
Minimum 85% nebbiolo
15% (vespolina/uva rara)
Soils of marine origin (both acidic and mineral rich sands) which gives a mineral caracter to the wine
Great potential
Description of Bramaterra DOC
Difference in soils
Nebbiolo must be a maximum of 50-80% blend
Up to 30% croatina
Up to 20 % uva rara /vespolina
List the appelations on the west side of the Sesia river
Gattinara, Lessona and Bramaterra
List appelations on west bank of Sesia river
Boca, Fara, Sizzano, Vallia Ossolane, Coline Novaresi
Which is the main differnce between the Sesia river west banks and the east one?
West bank ha slower minimum % of Nebbiolo and are more affordables
Notes about Boca DOC and its difference with Fara DOC
Boca is in the north, soils of volcanic origin and it is more structured.
Name the minor appelattions of Novara and Vercelli Hills
Valli Ossolane
Coline Novaresi
Coste delle Sesia
Wines of Valli Ossolane DOC
Red of Nebbiolo, Croatina and Merlot
Whites of Chardonnay
Which are the east and west Sesia bank fall back appelations?
East :
Colline Novaresi DOC
Reds based on nebbiolo
Whites 100% Erbaluce
Single varietals of Nebbiolo, Barbera, Uva Rara
West:
Coste delle Sesia
White : *Coste delle Sesia Bianco DOC** 100% of Erbaluce
Single varietals: Nebbiolo, Croatina, VEspolina
Major features of the Canavese region
It is at the foothills of the Alps, just following the Valle d’Aosta along the Ivrea Glacial Basin.
It is disected in two by the Dora Baltea river :
. Canavese: Carema DOC (Nebbiolo)
Erbaluce di Caluso (Passito)
Notes on Carema DOC
Simmilar to what other italian region is Carema?
Based on which grape?
Which is the dominant geographich element?
And the soils?
Simmilar to Valle d’Aosta
Nebbiolo (vino de montagna)
Monte Maletto (300-700 msnm) with **glacial deposits of metamorphic schists
Which is the traditional training system in the Carema DOC?
A pergola called TOPIA made with two pillars (or pillum) and a chestnut horizontal trunk.
Which are the minumum varietal and aging requieriments in Carema DOC?
Minimum 85% Nebbiolo
24 months (12 oak) 2412
Riserva
36 months (12 oak) 3612
Descriptors for the nebbiolo Carema DOC
Fragant, violets, high acidity, mineral, lightbody
Notes of Erbaluce di Caluso DOCG
Adapted to what type of soils?
Famous for its passito white
Adapted to sandy, gravely and acidic soils.
In which styles the Erbaluce di Caluso is produced?
Dry : acidic and mineral. Floral aromas.
Sparkling
Sweet : passito: air dried. slightly oixidized
Aging requeriments for Erbaluce di Caluso
36 months
Riserva 48 months
CANAVESE DOC
It is the fallback appelation of which others?
Which are the styles of wines
Fallback for
Erbaluce di Caluso and Carema DOC
Red and rosé wines based on nebbiolo, barbera, uva rara, freisa, neretto
Varietals:
White: Erbaluce
Reds: Nebbiolo and barbera
Which are the most famous appellations of western piemonte?
Colline Saluzzesi DOC
Pineroloese DOC
Valsusa DOC
Brief description of Pinerolese DOC wine
Red Blend made of :
. Nebbiolo
. Barbera
. Pelaverga grosso
. Catus
Notes around Pinerolese DOC
Light, fresh and with moderated alcohol
.Largest in production
. Single varietals of
Barbera, Uva rara, Freisa, dolcetto, Doux d’Henry (dulce)
Red and Rosé blends of
Barbera, uva rara, nebbiolo, chatus
Ramie red blend
Avana, avarengo, chatus, beucet
Is the Valsusa DOC the smaller or the largest of piemonte
The smaller
Description and DOC’s of TORINO HILLS
Soils
Single Varietals
On calcareous marls
Single Varietals of
Barbera, Pelaverga Grosso (sweet)
Red varietals of
Barbera, uva rara, malvasia, pelavertga grosso
Location of Alba region. How is it divided by the Tanaro river?
It is at the south of Piemonte, eastern section.
The Tanato divides it between :
Roero hills
Left bank
Low rising
Steeply sloped
Langhe Hills
Right banks
High rising
Gentle slopes
Why is **Alba ** an important gastronomic center?
White truffles
Hazelnut
Chocolate
Climate in the Alba region
Moderate continental
Cold winters, warm dry summers (rainstorms, hail), foggy and mild autums which extends the grape rippenning as nebbiolo
Rain: 500-800 mm
Soils in the Alba Region
They were generated by the retreat of Padano sea (15-16 mA) leaving deposits of clays, calcareous marls, sandstone and chalk
Langhe : terre bianche (calcereous marls, white soils, sandstones) 15 Ma
Roero : More modern 5 Ma SAnds, marine deposits
Why Alba is the Ideal microclimate for vines?
. milder conditions than in the north
. soil composition
. south facing slopes
. moderate continental climate
. cool air from the alps
. warm wind frm the south
Compared with the nebbiolo’s from Gattinara or Ghamme, how are the nebbiol’s from Alba?
bigger
fuller body
higher alcohol
Training systems at Alba
Guyot training
Cordon prunning spur
From where does the name Langhe comes?
From Tongues which is the shape of the hills separated by deep valleys
Langhe hills is not the area in Italy with more % of vineyards
True or false
False
How much is the average area of a property in Langhe hills?
2 has
Which are the main grape varieties in Langhe hills?
Nebbiolo
Barbera
Dolcetto
Moscato
Which are the secondary gra pe varieties in Langhe hills?
Pelaverga
Freisa
Favorita
How can be divided the Langhe hills?
Alta Langha (nebbiolo)
________ Monforte d’Alba________
Bassa Langha (Dolcetto)
Which is the climate moderator in Langhe hills?
The Tanaro river
Which are the best sites for nebbiolo grape?
Middle south facing slopes
Which site requires the dolcetto grape?
Top of the slopes since it is an early ripener and it needs cooler and higher places
And the places to grow barbera?
Bottom of the valleys, east and west facing
Which are the international varieties that can be included in Langhe DOC?
Chardonnay, Sauvignon blanc
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot
What are the heights between the Barolo’s dsciplinare says that the vineyards must be?
170 msnm (most mid slopes)
540 msnm
Brief history of Barolo
. Originally the Barolo was sweet
. Around 1800 the Marquise of Barolo, Giullia Falletti and Camillo Benso Coiunt of Cavour contracts the french oenologist Oudart to develop it.
. Around 1830-1840 Paolo Stagliano created the dry styled Barolo
. Giullia Faletti introduced to the aristochratic cyrcles of Torino
. The Savoy familiy bought stastes in Verdino and Serralunga de Alba
. The Barolo beomes the liquid ambassador of the house of Savoy king of the wines and wine of the king
What is the surface of Barolo?
Where is located?
How many times does it include?
It is located at the NW of Langhe
In an area of 11 x 8 k
11 comunes
Name the Barolo’s comunes
Barolo
Castiglione Falletto
Serralunga d’Alba
Monforte d’Alba
La Morra
Novello
Verdiuno
Grinzane Cavour
Diano d’Alba
Cherasco
Roddi
If the think on the Barolo’s hills and the snow, where should be the best places to plant?
Those where the snwo melts first
What is a Bricco in Barolo?
The highest part of the hill
What does the term sori means in Barolo?
The sunniest site
Bricco’s in Barolo
Barolo
Barbaresco
Langhe
Roero
What kind of soils can we find in Barolo?
Tortonian(younger)
In western Barolo and some part of the East
Calcareous Marls, morte fertile and pore compact
Serravillan (older)
Sandstones, les compact, less fertile
Which are the characteristics of the Barolo’s coming from Tortonian soils compared to the serravillan ones?
Perfumed
Elegant
Fruiter
Softer
Reach more rapidly the maturity
Name the villages in Barolo where we can find tortonian soils
Barolo and La Morra
Which are the characteristics of the Barolo’s coming from serravillian soils compared to the tortonian ones?
More power
Depth
Fuller
Robust
Need more time to mature
Name the villages in Barolo where serravillian soils can be found
Montforte d’Alba
Serralunga d’Alba
Castiglione Falletto
In the old times, the commercianti made what with Barolo wines?
After what year everything changed ?
What was the final cration of this movement
They used to blend wines from different Barolo’s vienyards
After the ‘70’s started the state bottling and rose the concept of unique profile.
The last consequence of this movement was the creation of the Menzione Geografiche Aggiuntiuve MGA where the fruit comes from a certain stated designation
From the Menzione Geografiche Aggiuntive, how many are geographical designations and how many are comunal designations?
181 geographical designations
11 comunal designations
Name some of the best known MGA at Barolo
Brunate
Bussia
Cannubi
Cerequio
Francia
Ginestra
Monprivato
Roche dell’Annunciata
Roche di Castiglione
Sarmassa
Vigna Rionda
Villero
What can be mentioned between the vinfication methods until 1970 and after 1970?
Until 1970
Long macerations (1 or 2 months) that sometimed produced the lost of varietal characters.
Aging in large neutral slavonian oaks or bohl (chestnut casks)
Austere and tannic
Need additional bottle aging
After 1970
Fruiter
More concetration
More temperature control
Less oak print
Small oak barriques
Poor development in bottle
Known as Barolo’s boys
Barolo’s descirptors
Aspect
Never deep in colour, light ruby which goes to garnet and brick orange with time
Nose
Flowers as rose and violet, red fresh berries, tar (alquitran) , earth
with time: dried fruit, dried flowers, spices (nutmeg, cinnamon)mint, leather, tobacco, meaty, liquorice, withe truffle
Mouth
Dense texture, concetration, acid tannin core
Enormous Benefits with bottle aging
Aging requirements of Barolo
38 months (18 months oak) 3818
Ris
62 months (18 months oak)
What is a Barolo Chinato?
It is an aromairzed and fortified drink where the base wine is a Barolo with quinine, aromatic herbs, spices.
It is a digestif that pais with chocolate
Does the barolo chinato enters inside the Barolo DOCG appellation?
Yes it does.
Comment some differences between Barolo and Barbaresco
Barbaresco is a more feminine wine
Barbaresco is lighter and less structured.
Some history about Barbaresco DOCG
Before 1890 the graps from Barbaresco were used for Barolo
En 1894 Domizio Cavazza (director of enologiy at Alba) acquired the Castle of Barbaresco and started a cooperative
1950 1960 Gaja and Giacosa start promoting
Altitude of production of Barbaresco DOCG
150 - 350 msnm
Geographical location of Barbaresco DOCG
At the right bank of Tanaro (closer to the Tanaro than Barolo)
At the NE of Alba
Name the comunes around Barbaresco DOCG
Barbaresco most of production
Neive more dolcetto and moscato bianco
Treiso cooler mesoclimate**
San rocco Sena d’elbio
Which are the most common Barbaresco soils?
Tortonian
(Calcareous marls and layers of sand)
What is the minumum alcohol content of Barbartesco DOCG
12.5 to 13 ABV
Aging requeriments of Barbaresco
26 months (9 in oak) 269
Riserva 50 months (9 in oak) 509
Barbaresco descriptors
lighter and less structures than Barolo
Which Barolo could be compared to a lighter Barbaresco?
La Morra
When was introduced the concept of single vineyard in Barbaresco?
How many MGA are in Barbaresco?
1980
66
Name some important MGA in Barbaresco
Asili
Basarin
Gallina
Martinenga
Montefisco
Montestefanoi
Ovello
Pajaré
Pora
Rabaja
How was the traditional Barbaresco winemaking produced?
Longs macerations
Extended aging in neutral Casks
How is the new winemaking procedures in Barbaresco?
Gaja
Shorter amcerations
Shorter aging in new french oak barrels
Is the Nebbiolo d’Alba a fallback classification?
No
Can the Nebbiolo d’Alba have a % of other grapes?
No. It must be 100% Nebbiolo
What does happen if Nebbiolo d’Alb has to declassify?
It goes to Langhe Nebbiolo DOC
Aging requirements of a Langhe Nebbiolo DOC
12 months
18 months (superiore)
Does the Nebbiolo d’Alba allows a Spumante version?
Yes.
Red or rosé.
Can we say that the Nebbiolo d’Alba is an approachable version of Nebbiolo?
Yes
Which notes gives the Nebbiolo d’Alba?
Flowers
Fruits
A Tary note
Which are the variety regulations for Alba DOC
70 - 85% Nebbiolo
15 - 20 % Barbera
Why is the dolcetto grape so valuated in Piemonte?
Because its early ripening and easy drinking and the no-need of prolonged maturation.
It is first served in traditional albanese meals
Which are the notes of the dolcetto?
Ripe black fruit
liquorice
Moderate acidity
Full body
Bitter sweet finesse
Dogliani is know as …. ?
The capital of the Dolcetto
How was known before the Dogliani DOCG?
Dolcetto di Dogliani DOCG
Does Dogliani DOCG accept any % of other grape?
No. It must be 100% Dolcetto
Can we consider Dogliani DOCG a link between which Langhe regions?
Lower Langhe (Bassa- Langa) Barolo and Barbaresco
Higher Langa (Alta- Langa)
Hazelnut and Sheep
Is there any Dogliani superiore DOCG?
Yes.
And it has lower yields and higher alcohol.
Notes of of the DOGLIANI DOCG
Purple colour
Flowers
Black fruit
Moderated acidity
Tannic
Bitter finish
Where is the Dolcetto di Diano d’Alba DOC located and which are its characterisitics?
And the grape characteristics?
It is on a small hilltop at the south of Alba.
It is 1005 dolcetto
Dolcetto di Diano d’Alba is a consorzio of 76 sites or söri that in 2010 became 76 MGA
Fruiter and more fragant
Less structured
Lower alcohol
Which appellation is the best known and most important producer of the dolcetto grape?
Dolcetto d’Alba
Where is located the Dolcetto d’Alba appellation?
Hilly area on the right bank of Tanaro river and lower Langhe
How are the soils of the Dolcetto d’Alba DOC?
Typical of the Lower Langhe
Calcareous marls
Sandstones
Sands
Marginal areas that takes the marginal sites where Barolo and barbaresco does not rip well
Where does the Barbera d’Alba DOC grows?
Where is the Barbera planted ?
In which columns is based the Barbera d’Alba DOC appletation?
Right and lower Langhe
Left Hills of Roero (more approachable)
Where the nebbiolo does not ripe
Besed upon:
. **Lower Yields*
. Oak aging
. harvested at peak ripeness
According to the Barbera d’Alba disciplinare, how is the variety content ?
85% Barbera
up to 15% of Nebbiolo
How long is the minimum aging requieriments for the Barbera d’Alba DOC Superiore?
12 months
(8 in oak)
Barbera d’Alba DOC appelation has short, medium or long term aging potential?
Medium term
Basic descriptors of the Barbera d’Alba DOC?
Deep purple
Earthy
Intense Red Fruit
Which descriptors can we find in an aged in bottle Barbera d’Alba?
Earth
Leather
Tobacco
Ironically, where does the best Barbera d’Alba come from?
From Barolo and Barbaresco
Which is one of the more flexible appellationd of the Alba region?
How many comunes does it include?
Langhe DOC
90 comunes
Which was the reason because the Langhe DOC was created?
. To ““allow blend”” of different varieties of Langhe and Roero
. To permit internation varieties
How much of one variety must have a wine in Langhe DOC to be considered a varietal?
85%
Name some of the native varieties of Langhe DOC
Nebbiolo
Barbera
Dolcetto
Arneis
Favorita
Freisa
Nascetta
Name some of the international varieties of Langhe DOC
Chardonnay
Riesling
Sauvignon blanc
Cabernet sauvignon
Merlot
Pinot Nero
Which styles are produced in the Langhe Nebbiolo DOC appelation?
Red
Whites
Rosato
Passito
Why for the Barolo and Barbaresco use the Langhe Nebbiolo DOC?
How long is the oak aging?
And the varietal content?
To release nebbiolo’s wines with less aging
12 months (18 months minumum in Barolo)
Name the most relevant subzone (comune) inside Langhe Nebbiolo DOC
Comune di Novello
Made with Nascetta grape
Sage, Rosemary
Short description of the Verduno di Pelaverga DOC
Focused on the red vareity Pelaverga Piccolo (min 80%)
Refreshing acidity floral/red fruits
Spicy green white pepper.
Notes on Alta Langha DOCG
High quality sparklings made with metodo classico
Pinot nero and Chardonnay
30 months on lees
36 months riserva
Description of the Roero Hills
. Origin of the Name
. Hilly region or plain region
. Location
The name is due to the Roero familiy from the middle ages
Roero is a hilly region, lower than Langhe but more steeped
Roero is located to the north of Slbs and left bank of the Tanaro
Generally speaking which origin have the soils in Roero?
Allowed heights
Marine origin, sand, sandstone and marls
450 to 700 msnm
Inside which DOC’s is Roero included?
Barbera d’Alba DOC
Nebbiolo d’Alba DOC
Langhe DOC
Alba DOC
Some nebbiolo producers which used to bottle their Nebbiolos as Nebbiolo d’Alba DOC, they do today as Roero DOCG
Description of the Roero DOCG
When it did become DOC
When it did become DOCG
How many MGA it accounts with
Arneis: Roero Arneis DOCG
Nebbiolo : Roero DOCG (min 95% Nebbiolo)
DOC in 1985
DOCG in 2004
153 MGA
Aging requieriments of Roero DOCG nebbiolo’s
20 months aging
6 months in oak
206
Riserva
32 months aging
6 months oak
326
Where does the nebbiolo grow best in Roero DOCG
South facing slopes.
Poor sandy soils
How is a Roero DOCG nebbiolo´s compared with the the finesse and perfume of Barolo and Barbaresco ones**
Early maturer
Less tannic
Lighter
Softer
Description of the Roero Arneis DOCG
Style
Arneis content
Aromas
White and dry
95% Arneis grapes
Full body
White flowers, pear, apple and almonds
General description of the Montferrato Region
What is it¨?
Division
Hilly area at south of Piemonte
Basso Montferrato or Montferrato Cassalese (north low hills)
Monferrato Astigiano (rolling hills)
Alto Monteferrato (southern ligurian appenines)
Climate in the Montferrato region
Continental climate
Hot summers cold winters
800 mm
15 to 16 Millon years beforem the retreat of the Padamo sea left 3 (three) types of soils in Piemonte.
Describe these types as well as the region where they can be found
TERRE BIANCHE : sand, sandstone, calcareous marls, all alternating with lyers of calcium carbonate In Montferrato Astigiano, Alto Montferrato and Basso Montferrato
SABBIE ASTIANE: High sand content, low water carrying to stress.
In Montferrato Astigiano Centrale
TERRE ROSSE : high clay content with iron and magnesium
What is an infiernotti
Undersground cellar carved into sandstone soils used to store the best bottles
List the appellations of the Montferrato Astigiano
Barbera d’Asti DOCG
Nizza DOCG
Ruché di Casiglioni Montferrato DOCG
Bracchetto D’Aqui DOCG
Asti DOCG
Moscato d’Asti DOCG
Moscato d’Asti Vendemia Tardiva DOCG
Asti Spumante DOCG
Freisa d’Asti DOC
Dolcetto d’Asti DOC
Grignolino d’Asti DIC
Malvasía di Casorzo DOC
Malvasía di Castelnuovo Don Bosco DOC
Terre Alfieri DOC
Cisterna d’Asti DOC
Calosso DOC
Loazzolo DOC
Albugnano DOC
List the Appellations of the Alto and Basso Montferratto
Barbera del Montferratto DOC
Barbera del Montferratto Superiore DOCG
Dolcetto di Ovada
Dolcetto di Ovada Superiore DOCG
Gavi DOCG
Colli tortonedi DOC
Grignolino del Montferrato Casalse DOC
Dolcetto d’Acqui DOC
Cortese dell’Alto Montferrato DOC
Strevi DOC
Rubino di Cantavenna DOC
Gabbiano DOC
Montferratto DOC
Piemonte DOC
Which is the 2nd most sold appellation of all Piemnonte after Asti DOCG?
Barbera d’Asti DOCG
Has the Barbera varieti prioriti in Montferrato or not?
Yes
Which are the soils of Barbera d’Asti region?
Which is the height gap wehre Barbera d’Asti can be produced?
Which are the training methods
Sabbie Astiane and Terre Bianche
Between 150 and 400 msnm
Guyot and cordon
Vinification in Barbera d’Asti DOCG
How much is the minumum of Barbera content required?
Aging for the wines adressed to eraly consumption
Where and how was the traditional **aging? Before “table wines
Aging requirement for superiore (characteristics)
how is the current modernaging?
Name some modern producers ho have changed the table wine profile of the Barbera d’Asti DOC
90% minumum content of Barbera grape
Early consumption : stainless steel
Traditional aging: large neutral oak casks
Modern aging small oak barrerls giving more tannins, more texture
Braida, Bersano, Scarpa
Aging : 4 months
Superiore : 14 months
Organoleptic charactaristics of the Barbera d’Asti DOCG
Deep ruby, purple
Red berries
High acidity
Low to medium tannins
Ripe fruit
Spicy
Full bodied
Name the 2 (two) subzones of the Barbera d’Asti Superiore DOCG
Tinella and Colli Astisani
Nizza DOCG Description
100% Barbera
Previously it was a zone of Barbera d’Asti Superiore DOCG
Aging : 18 months
Riserva : 30 months 12 in oak
Description on Ruché do Castiglione Montferratto DOCG
Made of lical and indigenous Ruché grape (up to 10% of Barbera.
Soils of Sabbie Astiane. Vines in the woods
Rose, perfume, spice tannins
Bitter finish
Description of the Brachetto d’Acqui DOCG
GRape content
Main Style
Derived styles
DOC and DOCG certification years
Around which city it is located?
Creators
Content
95% brachetto
Sweet, aromatic sparkling red : ruby, redberry, rose
a.he best is still or slightly frizzy
b. Sparkling
c. Passito (less common) 5 -7 % ABV
1969 doc
1996 docg
Around the roman city of Acquiiterre
Created by Arturo Bersano with Martinotti method
Notes on Freisa d’Asti DOC
Location
Base grape
Styles
DEscriptors
On all Asti province (all Montferratto Astigiano)
Freisa based
Styles
Still
Still superiore (1 year aging)
Frizzante (off-dry)
Spumante
Sweetness levels : dry, off-dry, medium sweet
Descriptors pale ruby red
high acidity and tannins, strawberry, respberry, rose and violets
Characteristics of the Dolcetto d’Asti DOC
Location
% of Dolcetto
Size compared with tghe other Dolcetto Appelations from Piemonte
Is it the only dolcetto appellation in all Asti District?
Ageable or ready to drink?
The superiore, how long is aged?
Notes
100% of dolcetto
South of Montferrato
Smallest
The only dolcetto appellation in Asti District
Generally ready to drink
Superiore can age 12 months
Red cherried, bitter almond finish
Notes on Malvasía di Casorzo d’Asti DOC
Composition
Styles
Notes
I
Sweet red
90% Malvasía nera
10% Freisa, Grignolino, Barbera
Still drym spumante and passito
pale ruby, roses, red fruits
Descritpion of Grignolino d’Asti DOC
Dolcetto is for Langhe what Grignolino is for….? Why?
Minmum grignolino %
Notes
Montferrato (since both are light, easy drinking for everyday, young, chill seerved)
Must have min 90% grignolino (10% freisa)
Very palle, floral, criusp, frutal, sry, light body, acidic, medium alcohol
Description of Asti DOCG
General Characteristics
How much does it produce?
Which 2 DOCG does it have?
Aromatic sweet wines made od moscato bianco grape
50 millon of bottles per year (largest in Piemonte)
ASTI DOCG
Moscato d’Asti DOCG
Where is the production zone of Asti DOCG
S and SE of Asti.
right bank of the Tanaro River
How much do Canello and Asti coincetrate of the production of ASTI DOCG?
80%
How are the soils of Asti DOCG?
Terre bianche
Calcareous
The best for Moscato bianco
Asi DOCG overlapps which regions?
Barolo
Serralunga d’Alba
Barolo
Which are the altitudes permitted by the Asti DOCG disciplinare ?
And the training system? Harvest?
Hillsides 200 . 500 msnm
Guyot
Hand picked
Asti DOCG
Asti Spumante DOCG
Moscato d’Asti DOCG
Moscato d’Asti Vendemia Tardiva DOCG
Are dominated by artisan or by consorzios and cooperatives
By consorzios and cooperatives
Which are the cork requeriments for
ASTI Spumante DOCG
Moscato d’Asti DOCG
**Asti Spumante DOCG : **
mushroom cork not aged
Moscato d’Asti DOCG:
standard cork year indicated
Brief history of the **Asti spumante DOCG **
1848: Carlo García travels to Reims with the idea to make a Moscato Champagne through the traditional method but based on Moscato Bianco Grapes
1930 Asti spumente is createdThey start doing it with the Martinotti method since it is cheaper, avoid leed aromas.
Organoleptic characteristics of the Asti spumante
Pale colour
Dense mousse
Sweet
Medium acidity
Orange blossom
Rose, acacia
Honey
7% ABV
I Asti Method
It is better for which grapes?
How it is?
Better for aromatic grapes
Single fermentation is stopped and restarted at certain points of the process
Is the Asti spumante conceived for aging?
No.
It must be consumend young
Because it has Gerianol, bad for aging
Alcohol contant and pressure of the Asti spumante
7 to 9.5%
5 to 6 atm
Is any Asti spumante made by the traditional method?
Yes
Since which yearthere are some dry Asti spumante?
2017
Definition of Moscato d’Asti DOCG
Vinification method
Refined sweet wine
Stopped single fermentation by Chilling
5 to 5.5 % ABV
Organoleptics of Moscato d’Asti DOCG
Peach
Apricot
Refined orange blossom
Citrus
Wisteria (glicina)
Differences between Asti Spumante and Moscato d’Asti DOCG
Moscato has:
More finesse
Aromas more pronounced
Lower alcohol (Asti 7% moscato 5%)
Less parkling 2.5 atm compared to the 5-6 at
Name the most important Moscato d’Asti DOCG subzones
Conelli
Santa Vitoria d’Alba
Strevi
Description of the Moscato d’Asti Vendemia Tardiva DOCG
Is is obtained by dry partially the grape after harvest
1 year minimum aging
Description of Terre Alfieri DOCG
It is between the Tanaro river and the Alfieri hills
Thre is a :
Terre Alfieri Nebbiolo DOC
Terre Alfieri Arneis DOC
What is the Cisterna d’
Asti DOC?
A light red wine based on a 80% of Croatina
Short description of Colosso DOC
Red wine made of Gambarossa grape
Is has riserva and passito (passará)
Descrption of Loazzolo DOC
Steep slopes on right bank of the Tanaro
Famous for its passito wines made with moscato bianco grapes bt appassimento méthod
It can be ripe, overripe, air dried of with botrytis
6 months on oak barrels aging
Short notes on
Malvasía di Castelnovo Don Bosco DOC and
Albugnano DOC
Malvasía di Castelnovo Don Bosco DOC (between Torino and Asti)
Red wines made of Malvasía di Schierano and Malvasía Nera Lunga
Albugnano DOC (NW of Asti)
Nebbiolo based reds (still, superiore, rosato)
Where can we found the Barbera del Montferrato DOC and Barbera del Montferrato Superiore DOCG?
Places?
Soils¨?
Training?
Altitude gap?
in the more proocutive ranking?
In all the Asti province and part of Aleesandria.
Alto and Basso Montferrato
Casale Montferrato and Vignale Montferrat
Planted on low hills - 150-400 msnm
Soils: calcareous marls, sandstone, sand, clay
Together they are the 3rd Brbera appellation in Piemonte
Differences between the DOC and the DOCG?
DOC : still and frizzante
DOCG : superiore still red
Barbera del Montferrato DOC and Barbera del Montferrato Superiore DOCG share same area with ?
Barbera d’Asti
How much of barbera need the Barbera del Montferrato DOC and Barbera del Montferrato Superiore DOCG?
Min 85%
15% (freisa, grignolino, dolcetto)
Characteristics of Barbera del Montferrato Superiore DOCG comapred to the Barbera del Montferrato DOC
Barbera del Montferrato Superiore DOCG
Lower yields More elegant
higher alcohol structured
higher extract levels velvet tannins
Min 14 months (6 oak) red fruits flowers
Barbera del Montferratto DOC
ligher staight forward
Everyday refreshing acidity
Sour red fruit
No aging requeriment
Notes on Dolcetto di Ovada DOC and Dolcetto di Ovada Superiore DOCG
Where are they located? How are those hills/soils?
Ranking amongst Dolcetto producers?
Aronud of Ovada (west of Gavi)
3rd amongst Dolcetto producers
Arid hills, poor soils
Description of Dolcetto di Ovada Superiore DOCG
light, simple, early consumption
100% dolcetto
Aging 12 months
Single vineyards: 20 months
Riserva: 24 months
Description Dolcetto di Ovada DOC
earthy, deep, complex
up to 3% of other varieties
no aging requeriment
Brief history of Gavi DOCG
972 AD first chronicles
XVII first documents on Cortese grapes
XX More people planted cortese
1980 Low Quality Hugh Yields High acidic
1990 REcovered
1998 DOCG
Which kind of geography does the cortese grape like?
Geographical location of GAVI DOCG
Altitude gap
Hills and valleys
SW of Alto Montferrato, Ligurian Apenines
150-450 msnm
Soils of GAVI DOCG
Climate of GAVI DOCG
Terre bianche and Terre Rosse
Climate moderate continental (cold winters / warm summers.
Cooler years:m lean and austere
Warm years: goo body
In Gavi DOCG in case of low sugar levels, can they enroch the must?
With what?
Yes
With MCR
How many MGA can we find in GAVI DOCG?
Which are the 2 best?
18 MGA
The best are Tassarolo and Gavi
GAVI DOCG styles
GAVI DOCG : 100% cortese
GAVI RISERVA: 1 year (6 months in bottle)
GAVI FRIZZANTE: riserva sparkling
Best for young and fresh consumption
GAVI DOCG organoleptics
Crispy acidity
Fresh citrus
Almond notes
Moderate alcohol
Underpinning minerality
Geographical location of Colli Tortonesi DOC
Relief
Best known varieties
Around Tortona
SE corner of Piemonte between Alto Montferrato ans Oltrepo’Pavese
Gentle low hills
Barbera, dolcetto and Cortese
Styles in Colli Tortonesi DOC
Rosso Bianco Frizzante Spumante Single vineyard
Zones inside Colli Tortonesi DOC
(North) Monleale barbera based - min 20 months 6 in oak
(South) Terre di Libarna timorasso based. Can de labelled as DERTHONA
Notes on Girgnolino del Montferrato Casalese DOC
90% grignolino
10% freisa
Pale ruby Tannins high acidity
Description on Dolcetto d’Aqui DOC
100 % docletto
light, soft, easy drinking
Aroun Acquitherme on white calcareous marls
Notes on Cortese dell’Alto Montferrato DOC
85% Cortese
Which is the most common style in Strevi DOC?
Passito made with Moscato Bianco
Which grapes has a typical Rubino di Cantavenna DOC
And a Gabbiano DOC?
75-90% Barbera
25% freisa and grignolino
90% Barbera
5 - 10% Freisa
Description of the Montferrato DOC
Foundation year
For which grapes?
Name a typical light wine
1994
A large subregional appellation
Both Native (docletto, nebbiolo, freisa, barbera, cortese and favorita) and International (cabernet sauvignon, merlot, pinot nero, chardonnya and sauvignon blanc)
It is a fallback appellation
The CHIARETTO
Description of the Piemonte DOC
Foundation
1994
Borad fallback appellation
Flexible, national and international
What is the name Vigneti di Montagna
It is a specific designation of the wines inside Piemonte DOC for wines made at a minumum height of 500 msnm with a slope of min 30%