Piemonte Flashcards
1
Q
Piemonte is considered one of Italy’s most important wine regions along side what other place?
A
Tuscany
2
Q
In English, what does Piemonte translate to?
A
“Foot of the Mountain”
3
Q
Name two mountain ranges that cradle the Piemonte region.
A
Apennies
Alps
4
Q
What is the major river that runs through the Piemonte region?
A
The Po River
5
Q
True/False: The alluvial plains created by the Po River are suitable for viticulture.
A
No. The soils are too fertile.
6
Q
Name the three provinces of Piemonte.
A
Asti
Alessandria
Cuneo
7
Q
Generally speaking, what are the two “hills” that are most recognized in Piemonte?
A
Monferrato
Langhe
8
Q
In relation to the Po River, where does most viticulture occur?
A
South of the river
9
Q
Describe the general soil type found in Piemonte.
A
Thin, calcareous marl and sandstone
10
Q
What is the general climate type of Piemonte?
A
Continental
11
Q
Which mountain range is responsible for creating the rain shadow effect in Piemonte?
A
The Alps
12
Q
In which region is there lore of producers firing cannons in the sky to ward off clouds?
A
Barbaresco
13
Q
What is the term used for prized souther exposures in Piemonte (particularly Barbaresco)?
A
Sorì
14
Q
What is the most notable native red grape of Piemonte?
A
Nebbiolo
15
Q
From where does Nebbiolo take its name?
A
La Nebbia - the fog
16
Q
Describe the general structure of Nebbiolo.
A
High alcohol, high acid, extreme tannin
17
Q
A statue from ______ in La Morra threatened extreme physical punishment for uprooting Nebbiolo vines.
A
1431
18
Q
Name the 3 major red grapes of Piemonte.
A
Nebbiolo
Dolcetto
Barbera
19
Q
What does “dolcetto” mean in English?
A
Little sweet one
20
Q
In Dolcetto wines, which is higher, the acid or the tannin?
A
Tannin
21
Q
Are Dolcetto based wines meant to be drunk young, or with age?
A
Young
22
Q
What is the most planted red grape in Piemonte?
A
Barbera
23
Q
Aside from Piemonte’s “Big Three” red grapes, name 6 other red varietals that are indigenous to the region.
A
Brachetto Gringolino Ruchè Croatina Vespolina Freisa
24
Q
What is the most planted white varietal in Piemonte?
A
Moscato Bianco
25
In France, Moscato Bianco is know as....?
Muscat à Petits Grains Blanc
26
Aside from Moscato, name 4 other white grapes grown in Piemonte.
Cortese
Arneis
Erbaluce
Favorita (Vermentino)
27
True/False: Piemonte is home to more DOC regions than anywhere else in Italy.
True
28
How many DOCG regions are recognized in Piemonte?
16
29
True/False: Over half of Piemonte's production is DOC quality or better.
True
30
Name the two most prestigious DOCGs of Piemonte.
Barolo
| Barbaresco
31
Name the river that runs through Cuneo province.
Tanaro River
32
The Barolo and Barbaresco zones lie within what larger DOC?
Langhe DOC
33
How many communes are authorized for Barolo production?
11
34
Name the 5 major communes for Barolo production.
```
La Morra
Barolo
Serralunga d'Alba
Monforte d'Alba
Castaglione Falletto
```
35
What are the two main soil types found in Barolo?
Tortonian
| Serravallian (Helvetian)
36
Describe Tortonian soils and its impact on wine.
High proportion of calcareous marl
| Softer style of wine
37
In which major communes are Tortonian soils prominently found?
La Morra
| Barolo
38
Describe Serravallian soil and its impact on wine.
Sandstone
| More structure in the wine
39
In which major communes of Barolo are Serravallian soils prominently found?
Serralunga d'Alba
| Monforte d'Alba
40
Today, what is the required elevage for Barolo normale?
38 months from November 1 of the harvest year
| 18 months must be in oak
41
What is the required elevage for Barolo Riserva?
62 months from November 1 of the harvest year
| 18 months must be in oak
42
True/False: Historically Barolo producers preferred macerations that could last anywhere 30-50 days.
True
43
Name three "traditionalist" producers of Barolo.
Giacomo Conterno
Bartolo Mascarello
Giuseppe Rinaldi
44
Describe two chief differences between traditionalist and modernist Barolo producers.
Modernists employ shorter macerations and the use of barrique/new oak.
45
Name three "modernist" producers of Barolo.
Paolo Scavino
Elio Altare
Luciano Sandrone
46
In which province of Piemonte does all Barolo production occur?
Cuneo
47
Which communes authorized for Barolo production lie entirely within the DOCG zone?
Barolo
Serralunga d'Alba
Castiglione Falletto
48
The production of Barbaresco is concentrated around what three towns?
Barbaresco
Nieve
Trieso
49
True/False: Alba is permitted to make Barbaresco DOCG wine.
True
50
Name both a prominent traditionalist and modernist producer.
Bruno Giacosa - Traditional
| Angelo Gaja - Modern
51
What is Produttori del Barbaresco?
A local cooperative that focuses on expressing terroir.
52
The "crus" of Barbaresco are now recognized by what legal term?
Menzioni geografiche aggiuntive
53
In what year did MGA become recognized in Barbaresco?
2007
54
In what year did MGA become recognized in Barolo?
2010
55
What is Chinato?
An aromatize wine flavored with quinine.
56
Name the appellation for Chinato, and a producer.
Barolo Chinato DOCG
| Cappellano
57
In relation to Barolo, where is Roero located?
Northwest
| On the opposite bank of the Tanaro River
58
What is minimum required percentage of Nebbiolo in red Roero DOCG wines?
95%
59
Name the white grape of Roero.
Arneis
60
What type of soil characterizes Roero, and how does that translate in the finished wine?
Sandy soils
| Lighter style of wine
61
Are producers in Roero DOCG more apt to follow traditional or modern winemaking methods?
Modern
62
The Gattinara and Ghemme DOCGs straddle what river?
Sesia
63
What is the synonym used for Nebbiolo is Gattinara/Ghemme?
Spanna
64
True/False: Gattinara and Ghemme DOCGs permit white wines.
False.
65
Name two common blending partners for Spanna in Gattinara/Ghemme.
Vespolina
| Bonarda
66
True/False: The Bonarda found in NW Italy is the same grape found in Argentina.
False
67
What are the two clones of Bonarda encounted in Gattinara/Ghemme, and which is found where?
Bonarda di Gattinara - Gattinara
| Bonarda Novarese - Ghemme
68
Bonarda Novarese is also known by what name?
Uva Rara
69
Do Lessona and Sizzano qualify for DOC or DOCG status?
DOC
70
Name an appellation on the border with Valle d'Aosta known for fragrant Nebbiolo-based wines.
Carema DOC
71
True/False: Modern styles of Barbera often see the use of new oak.
True
72
In year were Barbera d'Asti and Barbera del Monferrato Superiore elevated to DOCG status?
2008
73
What is the elevage for Barbera d'Asti Normale
4 months
74
What is the elevage for Barbera del Monferrato Superiore?
14 months, 6 are in cask
75
Name the DOCG appellation for Ruchè based wines.
Ruchè di Castagnole Monferrato DOCG
76
What is the newest DOCG, and when was it approved?
Nizza DOCG
| 2014
77
Nizza used to a subzone of what larger appellation?
Barbera d'Asti DOCG
78
Wines from Nizza may only be composed of what varietal?
Barbera
79
Name 3 DOCG zones for varietal Dolcetto wines.
Dogliani
Dolcetto di Ovada Superiore
Dolcetto di Diano d'Alba
80
How many sorì are classified for Dolcetto di Diano d'Alba DOCG?
77
81
What was the first still white wine DOCG in Piemonte?
Gavi DOCG (Cortese di Gavi)
82
Where is Gavi DOCG located?
In the extreme south of Alessandria province.
83
What styles of wine are produced in Gavi DOCG?
Tranquilo (still) - dominant
| Some spumante, frizzante (rare)
84
Where is Erbaluce di Caluso DOCG in relation to Carema DOC?
South
85
What style of wine is most praised from Erbaluce di Caluso DOCG?
Passito wines
86
Name the dominant grape varietal in Erbaluce di Caluso DOCG.
Erbaluce
87
Briefly describe qualities of the Erbaluce grape.
High acid
| Herbaceous tone/scent
88
What is the largest DOCG wine producing zone in Italy?
Asti DOCG
89
True/False: Asti DOCG production spans all three provinces of Piemonte.
True
90
What is the only permitted varietal for Asti DOCG wines?
Moscato Bianco
| Muscat à Petit Grains Blanc
91
What method of sparkling production is most commonly used for Asti DOCG wines?
Charmat Method
92
True/False: Moscato d'Asti is typically a more artisanal product from riper Moscato Bianco grapes.
True
93
What is the maximum allowed pressure for Moscato d'Asti wines?
2 atmospheres
| Raised from 1.7 in 2011
94
Are Moscato d'Asti wines technically frizzante or spumante?
Frizzante
95
For what style of Moscato d'Asti is chaptalization forbidden?
Late Harvest
| "Vendemmia Tardiva"
96
Name a DOCG region in Piemonte that is dedicated to traditional method sparkling wines.
Alta Langa DOCG
97
Name the two major varietals used in Alta Langa DOCG production, and what is their minimum percentage of the blend?
Chardonnay
Pinot Noir
They must comprise at least 90% of the blend
98
True/False: Alta Langa DOCG wines may be multi-vintage blends, like Champagne.
False. All wines must be vintage dated.
99
What is the elevage for Alta Langa DOCG normale wines?
30 months, total production process
100
What is the elevage for Alta Langa DOCG riserva wines?
36 months (min) total production process
101
Name two notable producers for Alta Langa DOCG wines.
Fontanafredda
| Enrico Serafino
102
Name an appellation for sparkling red wines from Piemonte.
Brachetto d'Acqui DOCG
103
True/False: Dry, still version of Brachetto d'Acqui are produced.
True, though they are rare
104
What is the minimum aging requirement for Dogliani, Ovada, and Diano d'Alba Superiore wines?
Minimum 1 year
