Piemonte Flashcards
In Piemonte, what makes up most of the white wine production?
Sparkling wines made from Moscato Bianco
In Piemonte, how many DOCGs? DOCs? IGT?
19, 41, zero
Who were the first people to inhabit Piemonte?
Taurini, Salassi tribes (descendants of Ligures)
In Piemonte, what is the capital?
Torino
In Monferrato and eastern Cuneo, high or low rain? why?
low rain due to shadow of Alps, Apennines
What is unique about Piemonte’s western mountains?
no “pre-alps”, steep mountains descend directly to plain
In Piemonte, what is the largest lake? which region does this lake share?
Lake Maggiano, Lombardia
The soils of Langhe and Gavi hills are rich in _____, soils of Roero are ____.
limestone
sandier, less calcareous
Favorita:
1. genetically identical to ____?
2. why popular with farmers?
- Vermentino
- very productive
Who revived Arneis in the 1970s?
Who “rediscovered” Nascetta in the 1990s?
Who revived Timorasso in the 1980s?
Bruno Giacosa, Vietti
Elvio Cogno
Walter Massa
What was the historical style of Barbera?
Vivace (lightly sparkling)
What grapes are particular vulnerable to Flavescence Doree?
Barbera, Dolcetto
what is the principal subvariety of Neb grown in Piemonte?
what is Michet?
what is Rose known as in Lombardia?
Lampia
virused form of Lampia
Chavennaschino
what’s a challenge for winemakers regarding Grignolino?
skins do not release color easily, so longer macerations tempting, but that increases tannin
what’s the trademark note of Friesa?
characteristic bitterness, so often finished with some risdual sugar
what are the wines called made from Pelaverga Piccolo?
Verduno Pelaverga
who rescued Ruche from oblivion?
Don Giacomo Cauda of Castagnola Monferrato
Vermouth:
1. what is it?
2. who first created it?
3. what was it traditionally made from and where?
- fortified wine with herbs and spices
- Antonio Benedetto Carpano in 1786
- Moscato Bianco around Canelli
what local climate trait in the Langhe helps late ripening grapes like Neb?
mild, foggy autumns
Main soils of:
1. Langhe Hills?
2. Roero?
3. For both, are there lots of stones or few?
- compact calcareous marls (terre blanche) and sandstone
- softer, sandier, rich in marine fossils
- Few (so soil erosion can be an issue)
What are the main training systems in Langhe?
Guyot or cordon
In Langhe DOC, which is the most planted international grape?
Chardonnay
In Barolo DOCG:
What two people helped make Barolo wines dry in the 1800s?
Giulia Faletti (last Marquise of Barolo) and Camillo Benso (Count of Cavour and Italy’s first prime minister)
In Barolo DOCG:
what 3 communes are auth’d for 100% of the commune to make Barolo?
Barolo, Castiglione Falletto, Serralunga d’Alba
In Barolo DOCG, Tortonian soil:
1. Found where
2. what type of soil?
- Most of western Barolo (Barolo, La Morra)
- calcareou marls, more fertile and compact
In Barolo DOCG: Serravallian soil:
1. Found where?
2. what type of soil?
- Monforte d’Alba, Serralunga d’Alba, some of Castiglione Faletto
- Sandstone and sand, poorer, less compact, less fertile
In Barolo DOCG, Messinian soil:
1. Found where?
2. what type of soil?
- NW (La Morra, Verduno)
- sand, chalky marls (softer more approachable wine)
In Barolo DOCG:
How many MGAs?
181 (11 communal)
what is Barolo “classico”?
Barolo coming from a mix of different parcels (colloquial, not legally defined, cannot appear on label)
what is Barolo Chinato?
Fortified wine with quinine, herbs, spices added to Barolo wine (DOCG)
What are “bricco” and “sori”?
superior, higher site on a hill
well exposed, sunny site
In Barolo DOCG:
aging reqs?
38/18m, 62/18m riserva
In Barbaresco DOCG:
Who founded the first coop here in 1894?
Who’s credited with transforming it into a world class wine?
Domizio Cavazza
Gaja
In Barbaresco DOCG:
which commune accounts for most of the DOCG’s production?
Barbaresco
In Barbaresco DOCG:
What grapes does the commune of Neive focus on?
What grapes does the commune of Treiso focus on?
Renowned for Moscato Bianco. Also Dolcetto, Barbera
Dolcetto
In Barbaresco DOCG:
what is the most common soil type?
Sandy marl
In Barbaresco DOCG:
aging reqs?
how many MGAs?
26/9m, 50/9 for riserva
66
Who produces more? Barolo or Babaresco?
Barolo (3x)
Nebbiolo d’Alba DOC:
1. Grape reqs?
2. Can producers declassify Neb based wines to Nebbiolo d’Alba?
3. Do most producers in Roero use this designation?
- 100% Neb, no Barolo/Barb
- NO. Langhe Nebbiolo DOC
- NO. they prefer Roero DOCG
Nebbiolo d’Alba DOC:
1. Aging reqs?
2. Is spumante allowed?
- 12m, 18/6m for riserva
- Surprisingly yes
Alba DOC:
1. Wine reqs?
2. What area?
- Only wine: local blend Ben (70-85%) + Barbera (15-30%)
- hills of Roero, most of B+B
Dogliani DOCG:
1. What river runs through?
2. Grape reqs?
3. How many MGAs?
- Tanaro
- 100% Dolcetto
- 76
Dolcetto d’Alba DOC:
1. claim to fame?
2. where located?
- most variety and most production of Dolcetto appellations
- right bank of Tanaro, entire Bassa Langa including B+B
Diano d’Alba DOCG:
1. How many MGAs/sori?
2. wines compared to Dogliani?
- 76 (Italy’s first attempt to acknowledge sites of superior quality)
- more fragrant and fruitier
Barbera d’Alba DOC:
1. what subzone was recognized in 2021?
2. wine reqs?
3. what is “baroleggia”?
- Castellinaldo
- 85%+ Barbera (most 100%)
- with time in bottle develops flavor profile like Barolo
Langhe DOC:
1. varietal wine reqs?
2. what is the one subzone?
- 85%+
- Nascetta del Commune d’Novello (white, dry/passito)
Verduno Palaverga/Verduno DOC:
1. main (only) grape?
2. how is the climate in this local area?
3. What is the grape traditionally planted with?
- Pelaverga Piccolo
- next to Tanaro River so slightly warmer than rest of area
- Neb and Barbera
Alta Langa DOC:
1. type of wine?
2. what are the main vines planted?
3. aging reqs?
- sparkling
- 2/3 PN, 1/3 Chard
- Vintage dated, 30+ mo. lees, 36+ riserva
Dolcetto di Ovada Superiore DOCG/di Ovada DOC:
1. which DOCG does Dolcetto di Ovada overlap?
2.Superiore DOCG reqs?
3. DOC reqs?
- Gavi DOCG
- 100% Dolcetto, 12m aging, single vineyard 20+m, riserva 24+m
- 97% Dolcetto
Hills of Roero:
1. What are rocche?
2. climate?
3. in this area, what does Barbera tend to be bottled as? Favorita?
- precipitous rocky cliffs
- dryer due to rain shadow
- Barbera d’Alba DOC, Langhe Favorita DOC
Monferrato:
1. what 3 main areas?
2. what 3 main types of soils?
3. what are infernotti?
- Basso Monferrato (Monferrato Casalese), Alto, Monferato Astigiano)
- Terre bianche, Sabbie Astiane (central Astigiano), Terre rosse (Alto)
- Nooks in underground cellars dug in marly-sandstone soils
Monferrato DOC:
1. claim to fame vs other appellations in this area
2. has a subzone dedicated exclusively to which grape?
- allows for extensive use of international grapes
- Monferrato Casalese Cortese DOC
Barbera del Monferrato DOC/Superiore DOCG:
1. types of wine in DOC, DOCG?
2. aging reqs?
- still and frizzante, still red
- none for DOC, DOCG 14/6m
Gavi DOCG:
1. what was this region growing historically?
2. Who is the Gavi pioneer?
3. Wine reqs?
4. What can producers do if the vintage is too cool?
- Dolcetto before phylox
- La Scolca
- 100% Cortese, riserva 12m/6m
- enrich must with MCR
Gavi DOCG:
1. how many MGAs?
2. which 2 communes produce exceptional Gavi?
- 18
- Gavi, Tassarolo
Colli Tortonesi DOC:
1. Who made Timorasso a thing?
2. What are the 2 subzones?
- Walter Massa
- Monleale (Barbera based), Terre di Libarna (DOC reqs 95%+ Timorasso)
Barbera d’Asti DOCG/Superiore DOCG:
1. what are the soils north of Asti? south?
2. wine reqs?
3. how are these wines compared to Barbera d’Alba?
4. what are the 2 subzones of Superiore?
- north: calcareous marls, asti sands . south: terre bianche
- 90%+ Barbera. 4m age. superiore: 14/6m
- Asti is fruitier, more miner, more refreshing (more acidic)
- Tinella, Colli Astiani
Nizza DOCG:
1 wine reqs?
2. age reqs?
- 100% Barbera
- 18/6m, riserva 30/12m
Ruche di Castagnole Monferrato DOCG:
1. what is notable about the soil?
2. wine reqs?
3. age reqs?
- transitions from Monferrato calcareous marls to Asti sands
- 90% Ruche (10% max Barb/Brachetto)
- riserva: 24/12m
Brachetto d/Acqui DOCG:
1. where is the zone of production centered around?
2. wine reqs?
3. styles?
4. average ABV?
- town of Acqui Terme
- 97%+ Brachetto
- still or frizzante (best). also sparkling and passito
- 5-7%
Friesa d’Asti DOC:
1. how was this traditionally made? which is more popular now?
2. what is notable about the taste?
- off dry frizzante, still dry
- certain bitterness on palate
Grignolino d’Asti DOC:
1. wine reqs?
- 90%+ Grig, max 10% Freisa
Asti DOCG:
1. what two provinces make up 80% of production?
2. What soils are generally planted on here?
3. What town is the major production center?
4. What vine training is used?
- Asti and Cuneo
- Terre bianche
- Canelli
- Guyot
Asti DOCG:
1. who created the fully sparkling version in the 19th century?
2. Why was the tank method preferred?
3. ABV? type of cork?
4. How is the drier version of Asti labeled?
5. Any traditional method Asti DOCG?
- Carlo Gancia
- Preserved aromatics, less labor intensive and expensive
- 7%, mushroom cork
- Asti secco
- Yes (tiny) 9+ months on lees
Moscato Asti DOCG:
1. ABV? Cork? date?
2. atm?
3. what are two subzones?
- 5-5.5%, regular cork, must be vintage dated
- max 2.5 atm
- Santa Vittoria d’Alba, Strevi (no late harvest)
Canelli DOCG:
1. What (famous) areas does this DOCG include?
2. Wine reqs?
3. Riserva reqs?
- Serralunga d’Alba (Barolo), Neive and Treiso (Barb)
- 100% Moscato Bianco, must be tank method, max 2.5 atm, 4.5-6.5%
- 30m age/20m bottle
Terre Alfieri DOCG
1. main grapes?
2. reqs?
- Arneis, Neb
- 85%+ of main grape
Alto Piemonte:
1. How was area formed?
2. What is Neb called here?
- super volcano erupted 300+ mya
- Spanna
Novara and Vercelli Hills:
1. Soil traits?
2. what help s moderate the climate somewhat?
3. what are the challenges of growing Neb here?
4. What is the local name of Uva Rara?
5. main training systems?
- tend to be acidic. sand/clay/gravel. often have a layer of red, iron rich clay. mainly volcanic
- Lake Maggiore and Lake Ora
- sometimes fails to ripen (blended with other grapes to soften)
- Bonarda Noverese
- Guyot (used to be pergolas)
Gattinara DOCG:
1. wine reqs?
- 90%+ Neb, 10% Vesp/Uva, 4% max Uva. 35/24, riserva 47/36
Ghemme DOCG:
1. wine reqs?
- 85%+ Neb, 15% Vesp/Uva, 34/18m, riserva 46/24
Lessona DOC:
1. wine reqs? standout trait?
- 85%+ Neb, only minor DOC that can use 100% Neb
Bramaterra DOC:
1. Neb content?
2. standout trait?
- 50-80%
- only app that can use up to 30% Croatina
Boca DOC:
1. wine reqs?
- 70-90% Neb (30% Uva/Vesp)
Fara DOC:
1. wine reqs?
- 50-70% Neb (up to 50% Uva/Vesp)
Canavese:
1. what is the vitivultural heart of the district?
2. what river bisects the district N-S?
- Ivrea glacial moraine basin
- Dora Baltea
Carema DOC:
1. historically known for what?
2. vineyards are situated on slopes of the foothills of ______
3. main training systems?
4. wine reqs?
- Neb based Vino de Montagna
- Mount Maletto
- Pergola topia
- Neb 85% 24/12m, riserva 36/12
Erbaluce di Caluso DOCG:
1. vine training?
2. what types of white wine produced?
- Pergola
- dry, sparkling (traditional method), passito (traditional and modern)
Canavese DOC:
What 5 types of wine can be produced in this appellation?
Rosso and rosato (Neb, Barb, Uva, Rara, Freisa, Neretto)
varietal Erbaluce (labeled as Bianco)
varietal Neb
varietal Barb
PIemonte DOC:
what are the two unique designations?
Vigneti di Montagna (1600ft+)
Marengo Storico- for frizz or spu Cortese grown in Marengo territory (Napoleon-Austria battles in 1800)