Piemonte / Alba / Roero Hills Flashcards
Where are the Roero Hills located?
- north of Alba on left bank of Tanaro River
- between western Carmagnola plain and low hills of Asti
- opposite of Barolo and Barbaresco
What is the most important town in Roero Hills?
Canale
Where does the name Roero come from?
- noble and prominent Roero family
- ruled area for centuries during Middle Ages
How do the Roero hills differ from the Langhe hills?
- hills lower in altitude and are steeper
What are rocche in the Roero Hills?
rocky cliffs; they run SW to NE (like a topographical slash)
What do the rocche separate?
alluvial soils of wester plain from sandier soils in east-central hills (where vines planted)
What are the soils of the Roero hills?
marine origin (sand, sandstone and marl)
Why is Roero one of the most arid parts of southern Piemonte?
western Alps and Ligurian Apennines block most of the rain; very low rainfall
Why are there wells and reservoirs in Roero?
- low rainfall
- sandy soils don’t retain rain
How is vineyard work carried out in Roero? Why?
field work carried out by hand due to steep hillsides and small size of parcels
What are the main varieties in Roero?
Arneis, Nebbiolo, Barbera and Favorita
The Roero hills are included in which Langhe appellations?
Barbera d’Alba DOC
Nebbiolo d’Alba DOC
Langhe DOC
Alba DOC
Barbera grown is the Roero hills is usually bottled under which appellation?
Barbera d’Alba DOC
Favorita grown in the Roero hills must be bottled under which appellation?
Langhe Favorita DOC
Nebbiolo producers who previously bottled their wines as Nebbiolo d’Alba DOC use which appellation now?
Roero DOCG