Piemonte / Alba / Other Appellations of Langhe Hills Flashcards
What are the other 3 important appellations in the Langhe Hills?
Barbera d’Alba DOC
Langhe DOC
Alta Langa DOCG
Which DOC is based on the Barbara grape?
Barbera d’Alba DOC
How has the production of Barbera changed in the past few decades?
- vineyard improvements (lower yields and harvest at peak ripeness)
- winery improvements (careful vinification and use of oak ageing)
Where is the Barbera d’Alba DOC located?
- both sides of Tanaro River
- right bank: corresponds to Lower Langhe (including Barolo and Barbaresco)
- left bank: covers Roero hills
Where is Barbera planted in the Barbera d’Alba DOC?
hillside sites where Nebbiolo not capable of ripening
What are Barbera d’Alba DOC wines made from?
- minimum 85% Barbera; up to 15% Nebbiolo
- in practice, most wines 100% Barbera
What are the requirements for Superiore Barbera d’Alba DOC?
minimum 12 months ageing (including 4 months in oak)
What is Barbera d’Alba DOC usually aged in?
small, new oak barrels
Why is it useful to age Barbera in small, new oak barrels?
add complexity and tame high acidity
What is Barbera d’Alba profile?
- deep ruby-purple color
- red fruit with spice
How do left and right bank Barbera d’Alba DOC differ?
left bank = more approachable and refined
right bank = bigger, richer, more structured and more suitable for oak ageing
Which wine is the longest lived out of the Barbera DOCs?
Barbera d’Alba
What does Barbera d’Alba baroleggia mean?
Barbera d’Alba wines with bottle age develop a similar profile to aged Barolos (leather, tobacco, earth)
Who often produces the best Barbera d’Alba wines?
Barolo and Barbaresco producers
What is Alba’s broad appellations?
Langhe DOC
What does the Langhe DOC include?
Langhe and Roero districts and more than 90 communes in Cuneo province
Why was the Langhe DOC introduced?
- allow for blending of grapes from different areas of Langhe and Roero
- allow native and international grapes
- provide less stringent production requirements
What doe producers use the Langhe DOC for?
fallback appellation for wines produced outside the strict rules of various DOC/Gs
Prior to the creation of the Langhe DOC, how were wines de-classified?
Vino da Tavola (table wine) since there are no IGTs in Piemonte
Why is Langhe DOC one of Langhe’s most dynamic appellations?
flexible regulation
What are common native grapes in Langhe DOC?
Nebbiolo, Barbera, Dolcetto and Arneis
What are less common native grapes in Langhe DOC?
Favorite, Freisa and Nascetta
What are common international grapes in Langhe DOC?
Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Nero and Merlot
What are the varietal wine requirements for Langhe DOC?
minimum 85% of state variety
Why is the Langhe Nebbiolo DOC designation important for Barolo and Barbaresco producers?
- use the DOC to release more approachable expressions of Nebbiolo earlier than Barolo/Barbaresco DOCG ageing requirements
- used by Barolo/Barbaresco producers who want to make Nebbiolo wines under less restrictive rules
How is the Langhe Nebbiolo DOC more flexible that Barolo DOCG?
- can blend up to 15% Barbera or Cabernet Sauvignon with Nebbiolo
- can mature wines in new oak for only 12 months (Barolo’s minimum is 18 months)
What styles does Langhe DOC allow?
- varietal, rosso, bianco, rosato, passito
red and white blends can be labeled without a rosso or bianco mention on label - just Langhe DOC is ok
What is the only sub-zone in Langhe DOC?
Nascetta del Commune di Novello
What type of wines does the Langhe DOC Nascetta del Commune di Novello sub-zone produce?
wines from native white variety Nascetta in dry and passito versions
What is the profile of wines from the Nascetta del Commune di Novello sub-zone in Langhe DOC?
- citrus, tropical fruit, herbs (sage, rosemary)
- honey and balsamic notes with age
- refreshing and well-structured
What type of wines does the Alta Langa DOCG produce?
metodo classico (traditional method) sparkling wines
Where is the Alta Langa DOCG located?
- covers almost all of Langhe
- extends east into Asti and Alessandria provinces
What is the area under vine in Alta Langa DOCG?
100ha (large appellation geographically)
What are the Alta Langa DOCG wines made from?
90-100% Pinot Nero and/or Chardonnay; Pinot Nero usually plays dominant role
What styles does Alta Langa DOCG produce?
sparkling bianco and rosato
Do Alta Langa DOCG sparkling wines vintage-dated?
yes
What is the minimum ageing on lees for Alta Langa DOCG sparkling wines?
30 months on lees
What is the minimum ageing on lees for Riserva Alta Langa DOCG sparkling wines?
36 months
