Piemonte** Flashcards
What is Piemonte’s topographical structure?
43% mountains; 30% hills; 27% plains
What are the key structural characteristics (acid, tannin, etc.) of Piemonte’s top four most important grape varieties?
Which grape varieties are used for still, sparkling and dessert wines in Piemonte?
Which Piemonte wines allow blending partners and which must be 100% varietal?
What are the permissible wine styles (still, sparkling, dessert, aromatized, etc.) of the “need to know” appellations in Piemonte?
What is the significance of possible label terms such as: Superiore, Bricco, Riserva, etc.?
What are the winemaking techniques that are specific to “need to know” appellations in Piemonte?
Be familiar with the aging requirements of the “need to know” DOCGs in Piemonte.
Which Italian region led the industrial revolution?
Piemonte
Which Italian region led the drive towards unification?
Piemonte
What is Italy’s second largest region?
Piemonte (first is Sicilia, third is Sardegna)
Which Italian region has the greatest number of DOC/G’s?
Piemonte (then Tuscany and Veneto)
Who were the first people to make wine in Piemonte?
Taurini and Salassi
What is the progression of civilizations in Piemonte through the incorporation into the Holy Roman Empire?
Taurini and Salassi, Celtic, Romans, Barbarians, Lombards, Charlemagne
What was the role of viticulture in the Middle Ages in Piemonte?
increased importance, flourished under the influence of the monks
When did wine regulation commence in Piemonte?
Middle Ages, pointing to the significant relative importance of wine commerce
When did the House of Savoy gain control over part of Piemonte?
1045 through marriage, very early compared to Sardegna (1700’s)
When did House of Savoy acquire Sardegna?
in the 1700’s (a key step in the later unification of Italy)
Describe the viticultural sector in Piemonte during the industrial revolution.
Viticultural sector suffered greatly due to phylloxera, odium and downy mildew at the same time as the industrial revolution brought prosperity.
What is etymology of Piemonte?
meaning “at the foot of the mountain,’ true on three sides [region is 43% mountains]
What is the capital city of Piemonte?
Turino
What is the main agricultural product of the plain of Piemonte?
rice
What is the climate of Piemonte?
broadly continental with multiple meso-climates
What is the scientific evidence for the effectiveness of hail cannons?
none (from Wikipedia, not in IWS) [points to hail as a risk in Piemonte]
Describe rainfall in Piemonte.
Low, a rain shadow effect
What is the most widely planted grape in Piemonte?
Barbera
What are the 3 most famous grapes in Piemonte?
Barbera, Moscato Bianco and Nebbiolo
What is the mix of red/white grapes in Piemonte?
reds are 2:1 (> 60% red)
What is the most famous grape in Piemonte?
Nebbiolo
What are the 4 most planted grapes in Piemonte?
Barbera, Moscato Bianco, Dolcetto and Nebbiolo, 70% of total
What is the role of international grapes in Piemonte?
minimal, 4% of total, can be authorized by DOC, Chardonnay is most common (for sparkling wine)
Barbera grape is native to where?
unknown, traditionally thought of as native to Monferrato; however, genetic evidence does not support this concept as it is unrelated to other grapes from this area
What is the hallmark of Barbera wine?
retained acidity even when fully ripe
What are the 3 most planted red grapes in Italy?
Sangiovese, Montepulciano, Barbera (of which >60% is in Piemonte)
What is tannin level of Barbera?
low [deep color and high acidity]
Dolcetto grape is native to where?
unknown, considered to be from Piemonte, first mentioned in 1593 in Dogliani in Cuneo
Describe the ripening, tannin and acidity of Dolcetto?
early [contrast with Barbera and Nebbiolo], high tannin and low acidity [early ripening permits ‘sweet cash flow’]
What is the etymology of Dolcetto?
“little sweet one” reflecting of the low acidity of the ripe berries
What was Piemonte’s most planted grape before phylloxera?
Dolcetto [Barbera increased after phylloxera]
What is the principal clone of Nebbiolo?
Lampia, most widely planted, most reliable
What are the characteristics of wine made from Freisa?
red wine, light-colored, high in acid and tannin, distinctive aromas of strawberry and raspberry
What is the etymology of Grignolino?
grignole in Monferrato dialect means pips
What are the characteristics of wine made from Grignolino?
pale red, light-bodied, moderate in alcohol, high in tannin and acid
What are the characteristics of wine made from Brachetto?
most often red, sweet, aromatic notes of raspberry and strawberry [4 R’s > Red, aRomatic, Raspberry, stRawberry]
What grape makes the red wine equivalent of Moscato Bianco?
Brachetto [but home is Alessandria, not Asti]
Brachetto grape is native to where?
unknown, most likely Acqui Terme in Alessandria province, Piemonte [hot water]
Ruche grape is native to where?
most likely native to Castagnole, Asti province, Piemonte [aromatic Ruck-sack]
What are the characteristics of wine made from Ruche?
intense aromatics, flavors of rose, red fruit and spice
What is the most widely planted WHITE grape in Piemonte?
Moscato Bianco [Barbera is most widely planted grape in Piemonte]
What is the world’s most popular sweet sparkling wine?
Asti (Spumante) made from Moscato Bianco
Cortese is associated with what town? province? what wine area?
Gavi in Alessandria province, considered Alto Monferrato
Which producers promoted Arneis in the 1970’s?
Vietti and Bruno Giacosa in Roero
What is the etymology of Arneis?
refers to a difficult personality, reflecting the difficulty to grow
Erbaluce grape is associated with what town?
Caluso [erbALUCe]
What is the main characteristic of Erbaluce grape?
thick skin and high acid > suitable for passitos
Which producer saved Timorasso?
Walter Massa [tiMorASSo]
Timorasso grape is associated with what town?
Tortona (Derthona - Tortona’s ancient name, DNA studies suggest Piemonte origin)
What are the characteristics of wine made from Timorasso?
white[!], high in acid, light honey mineral, floral and citrus notes, creamy texture can incorrectly suggest oak aging, excellent length
Arneis is associated with what area?
Roero Hills
What Piemonte grape drops acid quickly during ripening?
Arneis
Describe the acid level of Cortese grape.
high
What is the wine quality pyramid in Piemonte?
DOC-G/IGT/vino - 90/0[!]/10
Which two Piemonte cities (provinces) are the epicenters for wine production?
Asti (Asti) and Alba (Cuneo) account for 80% of Piemonte wine
What is the role of blends in Piemonte?
minimal, single varietals dominate
What the 4 sub-regions of Piemonte?
Northern Piemonte, Western Piemonte and Torino Hills, Alba and Monferrato
What are the wine districts of Northern Piemonte? What are the most important appellations of this sub-region?
two, Novara and Vercelli Hills (Gattinara and Ghemme DOCG’s) and Canavese (Erbaluce di Caluso DOCG and Carema DOC)
What river is associated with Canavese wine district?
Dora Baltea (from Valle d’Aosta) [ABCD]
What two towns are featured on the seal of of the Canavese Consorzio?
Carema and Caluso in Piemonte [CCCC]
What river is associated with Novara and Vermicelli Hills wine district?
Sesia River
Which Piemonte sub-region is the the traditional home of Barbera and sparkling Moscato Bianco?
Monferrato
Which Piemonte sub-region is the the traditional home of Nebbiolo?
Alba
Compare ripening, acid and tannin for Barbera, Dolcetto and Nebbiolo.
B: late, high, low
D: early, low, high
N: late, high, high [!]
What is the main grape in the sub-region of Northern Piemonte?
Nebbiolo
Northern Piemonte contributes what amount of Piemonte’s total wine production?
5%
What is the soil type in Ghemme and Gattinara?
glacial origin
What moderates the climate in Ghemme and Gattinara?
mild climate results from cool air from Alps (diurnal swings) as well as moderating effect of Lake Maggiore and Lake Orta
How does climate in Novara and Vercelli Hills impact viniculture of Nebbiolo?
milder climate allows greater acidity and altitude creates lighter color and body than found in Nebbiolo from Langhe area
What geological landmark is associated with Canavese wine district?
Ivrea glacial moraine basin
What is the most historic wine of Northern Piemonte?
Gattinara Nebbiolo, Piemonte’s most prestigious wine in the 16th century
What are the advantages of Gattinara location?
exposure, altitude and soil mix
What river bank is associated with Gattinara DOCG?
right (west) bank of Sesia River [gattinaRa; Right bank]
What river bank is associated with Ghemme DOCG?
left bank of Sesia River
What are the permitted blending partners for Nebbiolo in Gattinara and Ghemme?
Vespolina and Uva Rara (up to 10% in Gattinara and 15% in Ghemme)
Compare the wines of Gattinara and Ghemme.
Nebbiolo from Ghemme is more austere and sturdy; both are tannic, acidic and built to age
What geological landmark is associated with Carema DOC?
vineyards are located in terraces carved out of foothills of Mount Maletto
What grape is associated with Caluso DOCG?
Erbaluce
What style wines are made in Caluso DOCG?
white, dry, sparkling and sweet
Compare the oak aging requirement for Gattinara and Ghemme.
longer for Gattinara (35/24 vs. 36/18)
What river divides the Roero Hills and Langhe Hills?
Tamaro, Roero Hills on left bank (north); Langhe hills on right (south)
Compare elevation and slope of the Roero Hills and Langhe Hills?
Langhe: higher elevations and more gradual slopes [lAnGHE>Ancient, Gradual, Higher Elevation]
Compare soils of the Roero Hills and Langhe Hills?
Langhe: older, calcareous marl (terre bianchi); Roero: younger, softer, sander, rich in marine fossils