Piemonte / Alba / Roero Hills Flashcards

1
Q

Where are the Roero Hills located?

A
  • north of Alba on left bank of Tanaro River
  • between western Carmagnola plain and low hills of Asti
  • opposite of Barolo and Barbaresco
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2
Q

What is the most important town in Roero Hills?

A

Canale

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3
Q

Where does the name Roero come from?

A
  • noble and prominent Roero family

- ruled area for centuries during Middle Ages

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4
Q

How do the Roero hills differ from the Langhe hills?

A
  • hills lower in altitude and are steeper
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5
Q

What are rocche in the Roero Hills?

A

rocky cliffs; they run SW to NE (like a topographical slash)

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6
Q

What do the rocche separate?

A

alluvial soils of wester plain from sandier soils in east-central hills (where vines planted)

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7
Q

What are the soils of the Roero hills?

A

marine origin (sand, sandstone and marl)

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8
Q

Why is Roero one of the most arid parts of southern Piemonte?

A

western Alps and Ligurian Apennines block most of the rain; very low rainfall

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9
Q

Why are there wells and reservoirs in Roero?

A
  • low rainfall

- sandy soils don’t retain rain

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10
Q

How is vineyard work carried out in Roero? Why?

A

field work carried out by hand due to steep hillsides and small size of parcels

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11
Q

What are the main varieties in Roero?

A

Arneis, Nebbiolo, Barbera and Favorita

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12
Q

The Roero hills are included in which Langhe appellations?

A

Barbera d’Alba DOC
Nebbiolo d’Alba DOC
Langhe DOC
Alba DOC

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13
Q

Barbera grown is the Roero hills is usually bottled under which appellation?

A

Barbera d’Alba DOC

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14
Q

Favorita grown in the Roero hills must be bottled under which appellation?

A

Langhe Favorita DOC

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15
Q

Nebbiolo producers who previously bottled their wines as Nebbiolo d’Alba DOC use which appellation now?

A

Roero DOCG

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16
Q

Arneis producers who previously bottled their wines as Langhe Arneis DOC use which appellation now?

A

Roero Arneis DOCG

17
Q

What is the main appellation in the Roero Hills?

A

Roero DOCG

18
Q

Which 2 varieties does Roero DOCG focus on?

A

Nebbiolo and Arneis

19
Q

Which variety makes up most of the Roero DOCG plantings?

A

Arneis

20
Q

How do the labels differ for Arneis and Nebbiolo in Roero DOCG?

A
Nebbiolo = Roero DOCG
Arneis = Roero Arneis DOCG
21
Q

Is Roero DOCG a younger or older appellation?

A

relatively young

DOC status in 1985 / DOCG status in 2004

22
Q

How many MGAs does Roero DOCG have?

A

153 MGAs; top sites for Arneis and Nebbiolo

23
Q

Where is Nebbiolo grown in Roero DOCG?

A

better, south-facing sites

24
Q

What type of soils does Nebbiolo grow on in Roero DOCG? What type of wines are produced?

A

poor, sandy soils; fragrant, elegant wines

25
Q

What was Nebbiolo traditionally blended with in Roero?

A

Arneis to soften its austere character; Arneis no longer allowed for blending

26
Q

What is the approach to Nebbiolo winemaking in Roero DOCG?

A
  • modern approach with short maceration periods and shorter time in small oak barrels
  • younger appellation so it didn’t have the same stylistic disputes as in the Langhe
27
Q

What is Roero DOCG made from?

A

minimum 95% Nebbiolo

28
Q

What is the ageing requirements for Roero DOCG?

A

minimum 20 months (including 6 months in oak)

29
Q

What is the ageing requirements of Riserva Roero DOCG?

A

minimum 32 months (including 6 months in oak)

30
Q

How do Roero DOCG wines differ from Barolo/Barbaresco?

A

lighter, softer, less tannic and earlier-maturing

31
Q

What was Arneis historically used for in Roero?

A

sweet wines

32
Q

Who brough recognition to Arneis as a dry wine in the 1970s?

A

Bruno Giacosa, Vietti and Negro

33
Q

Who was the most instrumental in transforming Arneis in Roero?

A

Ceretto

34
Q

Where is Arneis grown in Roero?

A

cooler sites; well-suited to light soils

35
Q

What is Roero Arneis DOCG made from?

A

95% Arneis in dry style

36
Q

What are the ageing requirements for Risrva Roero Arneis DOCG?

A

minimum 16 months

37
Q

What are the two styles of Roero Arneis DOCG?

A

bianco and spumante (rare)

38
Q

What is the Roero Arneis DOCG profile?

A
  • white flowers, pear, apple, peach and almonds
  • medium to full-bodied
  • most unoaked