Piemonte

Question 1

How many DOCGs are there in Barolo? Name 5

Answer 1

There are 17

Alta Langa DOCG
Asti DOCG
Barbaresco DOCG
Barbera d'Asti DOCG
Barbera del Monferrato Superiore DOCG
Barolo DOCG
Brachetto d'Acqui DOCG
Dolcetto di Diano d' Alba/Diano d' Alba DOCG
Dogliani DOCG
Dolcetto di Ovada Superiore (Ovada) DOCG
Erbaluce di Caluso/Caluso DOCG
Gattinara DOCG
Gavi (Cortese di Gavi) DOCG
Ghemme DOCG
Nizza DOCG
Roero DOCG
Ruchè di Castagnole Monferrato DOCG

Question 2

What are the subzones of Asti?

Answer 2

Canelli
Strevi
Santa Victorria d’Alba

Question 3

What are the requirements for Asti Metodo Classico?

Answer 3

Must undergo secondary fermentation in the bottle
9 months on lees
Max 8 ton per hectare

Question 4

What are the aging requirements for Barbaresco and riserva?

Answer 4

Barbaresco: Minimum 26 months from November 1 of the harvest year (minimum 9 months in wood), may be released after January 1 of the third year following the harvest
Barbaresco Riserva: Minimum 50 months from November 1 of the harvest year (minimum 9 months in wood), may be released after January 1 of the fifth year following the harvest.

Question 5

What are the 5 communes of Barbaresco?

Answer 5

Barbaresco
Neive
Treiso (a frazione of Barbaresco)
San Rocco Senodelvio (part of Alba)

Question 6

What is the principle soil type of Barbaresco?

Answer 6

Tortonian calcerous marl

Question 7

What is the largest Cru in Barbaresco?

Answer 7

Canova Neive 159ha

The vineyards within the cru extend over a hill and have alternating exposures, lending varied results.

Question 8

Name 5 Crus of Barbaresco DOCG and producers

Answer 8

1 Secondine Barbaresco 15 Gaja This site has an excellent reputation and is also home to Gaja’s San Lorenzo vineyard.

2 Ovello Barbaresco 78 Produttori del Barbaresco, Cascina Morassino, Valfieri This is the largest cru in all of Barbaresco, and is occupied by many producers. It contains the historic sites of Canova, Casot, and Loreto

3 Martinenga Barbaresco 17 Marchesi di Gresy (monopole) This is one of the most famous sites in Barbaresco. The subzones (and subsequent individual bottlings) of Gaiun and Camp Gros are considered the best part of the cru.

4 Rio Sordo Barbaresco 25 Produttori del Barbaresco, Musso, Pier, Cascina delle Rose, Ca’ Rome This cru has a historically established reputation and has been highly regarded for over 100 years.

5 Meruzzano Treiso,
Alba 129 / 27 Orlando Abrigo Meruzzano is the largest vineyard in Treiso, with vineyards facing north, west, and south and a wide range of altitudes.

Question 9

What grape varietals are allowed for Boca?

Answer 9

70% - 90% Nebbiolo

10% - 30% Vespolina and/or Uva Rara (Bonarda Novarese)

Question 10

What is the soil type of Boca DOC?

Answer 10

clay, rocky, loam and sand

Question 11

What are the grape varietals allowed for Alta Langhe DOCG?

Answer 11

Min. 90% combined Pinot Noir and/or Chardonnay

Max. 10% other non-aromatic varieties suitable for cultivation in Piemonte

Question 12

What are the DOCGs of Piemonte?

Answer 12

1 Alta Langa DOCG
2 Asti DOCG
3 Barbaresco DOCG
4 Barbera d'Asti DOCG
5 Barbera del Monferrato Superiore DOCG
6 Barolo DOCG
7 Brachetto d'Acqui DOCG
8 Dolcetto di Diano d' Alba/Diano d' Alba DOCG
9 Dogliani DOCG
10 Dolcetto di Ovada Superiore (Ovada) DOCG
11 Erbaluce di Caluso/Caluso DOCG
12 Gattinara DOCG
13 Gavi (Cortese di Gavi) DOCG
14 Ghemme DOCG
15 Nizza DOCG
16 Roero DOCG
17 Ruchè di Castagnole Monferrato DOCG

Question 13

What communes of Barolo DOCG lie entirely within Barolo?

Answer 13

Barolo
Castiglione Falletto,
Serralunga d’Alba

Question 14

What river flows through Piedmont?

Answer 14

Tanaro

Question 15

Describe the soil of Barolo

Answer 15

Barolo’s principal geological formations were formed in three eras: Tortonian (12-7 million years ago), Serravallian (14-11 million years ago), and Langhien (16-14 million years ago). The latter two formations were historically grouped together and known as “Helvetian.” The vineyards of La Morro and Barolo are situated on soils derived from the Tortonian bedrock, while those of Monforte d’Alba and Serralunga d’Alba lie principally on Serravallien bedrock. The bedrock contributes to the makeup of soils above, and those soils on Tortonian formations tend to contain more calcareous marl, whereas those on Serravallian formations tend to be less fertile, and contain more sandstone. All Barolo soils are high in pH

Question 16

What communes are shared within Barolo DOCG

Answer 16

Monforte d'Alba
La Morra, 
Diano d'Alba, 
Novello, 
Verduno, 
Grinzane Cavour, 
Cherasco, 
Roddi

Question 17

What are the 5 core townships of Barolo DOCG

Answer 17

Barolo,
Castiglione Falletto,
Serralunga d’Alba, Monforte d’Alba,
La Morra.

Question 18

What does “Vigna” refer to?

Answer 18

“Vigna” refers to a single vineyard wine: 100% of grapes must come from a named vineyard used in conjunction with a geographic designation.

Question 19

What is the highest cru of La Morra?

Answer 19

Serradenari

This is the highest cru in La Morra; it supplied grapes for Bruno Giacosa’s Barolo Croera (only produced in 2004).

Question 20

Describe Barbaresco

Answer 20

The tiny Barbaresco district includes the three villages of Barbaresco, Neive and Treiso. Nebbiolo is the king of this unique and oft overshadowed wine region. The wines of Barbaresco have been made for generations but were perhaps best introduced by the likes of Gaja and Giacosa. We are proud to showcase the history and the future of this great wine region.