Piemonte / Alba Flashcards
Where is the Alba sub-region located?
located in southern Piemonte within eastern part of Cuneo province
Which river flows through the Alba sub-region?
Tanaro River; flows north from the western Ligurian Apennines into Po River
What does the Tanaro River separate?
separates Roero Hills (left bank to the north) from the Langhe Hills (right bank to the south)
How do the Langhe and Roero Hills differ in elevation?
Roero Hills are low-rising and steeply sloped; Langhe Hills are higher with gradual slopes
What is the most important city in the Alba sub-region?
Alba
Where is the city of Alba located?
located between Langhe and Roero wine districts on the right bank of Tanaro River ; considered part of Langhe
Which communes have been named after Alba?
Diano d’Alba
Serralung d’Alba
Which appellations have been named after Alba?
Dolcetto d’Alba DOC
Nebbiolo d’Alba DOC
Which UNESCO World Heritage Site is recognized in the Alba sub-region?
Vineyard Landscape of Piemonte: Langue-Roero and Monferrato in 2014
What is the climate in the Alba sub-region?
moderate continental; cold winters and warm, dry summers
What can threaten the vineyards during the last stage of ripening in the Alba sub-region?
summer rainstorms and hail
How do the autumns help with the ripening process in the Alba sub-region?
Autumns are foggy and mild; extends the growing season into October, which helps late-ripening varieties like Nebbiolo reach full ripeness
How does the Tanaro River help the vineyards along it in the Alba sub-region?
moderates temperatures
Which mountain ranges are to the south in the Alba sub-region?
Maritime Alps (west) and Ligurian Apennines (east)
How does the Ligurian Sea affect temperatures in the Alba sub-region?
small amounts of maritime air offset cooling air coming down off the Alps from the west
How do the Maritime Alps and Ligurian Apennines affect temperatures in the Alba sub-region?
blocks most of the warm maritime air blowing from the Ligurian Sea
How were the soils of the Alba sub-region formed?
retreat of the Padano Sea that covered large parts of Piemonte and northern Italy 15-16 million years ago
What type of soils were left after the retreat of the Padano Sea in the Alba-subregion?
clay, calcareous marls, sandstone and chalk
How were the Langhe and Roero Hills formed?
from the erosion of soils left behind after the retreat of the Padano Sea 15-16 million years ago
Do the Langhe and Roero Hills have similar soils?
No
What soils are found in Langhe Hills?
compact calcareous marls and sandstone
What is the local name for the soils of the Langhe Hills?
terre bianche (white soils) for the calcareous marls
When were the soils of the Langhe Hills formed?
15 million years ago
What soils are found in the Roero Hills?
rich in marine fossils, sand
When were the soils of the Roero Hills formed?
5 million years ago
Which soils are younger: Langhe or Roero Hills?
Roero Hills: 5 million years ago
Langhe Hills: 15 million years ago
What is the main soil issue in the Langhe and Roero Hills?
few pebbles or stones; erosion is an issue
What features create a macro-climate in the Alba sub-region?
- soil composition
- south-facing slopes
- moderate continental climate
- cool Alpine air and warm sea air currents
Which training system is mainly used in the Alba sub-region?
Guyot or cordon spur-pruning
How is pruning and harvest carried out in the Alba sub-region?
manually due to hillsides
How do the Nebbiolo wines in the Alba sub-region differ from those in the northern appellations?
fuller-bodied and higher alcohol since grapes can reach full ripeness more consistently due to milder conditions
How many appellations are in Langhe and Roero?
12
What are the classic grape varieties grown in Langhe and Roero?
Nebbiolo, Barbera, Dolcetto
