Piemonte / Basso & Alto Monferrato Appellations Flashcards
What are the 5 main appellations in Basso & Alto Monferrato?
1 Barbera del Monferrato Superiore DOCG and Barbera del Monferrato DOC
2 Dolcetto di Ovada Superiore DOCG (or Ovada DOCG) and Dolcetto di Ovada DOC
3 Gavi DOCG (or Cortese di Gavi DOCG)
4 Colli Tortonesi DOC
5 Grignolino del Monferrato Casalese DOC
Which 2 appellations are volumetrically the third-largest for Barbera?
Barbera del Monferrato Superiore DOCG
Barbera del Monferrato DOC
What is the zone of production for both Barbara del Monferrato Superiore DOCG and Barbera del Monferrato DOC?
both share the same zone; entire Asti province and large part of Alessandria province
What happened in 2008 to the Barbera del Monferrato DOC?
split in 2 appellations: DOCG for still red superiore and DOC for still and frizzante versions
Do Barbera del Monferrato and Barbera d’Asti share most of the same territory?
Yes
Where is the majority of Barbera del Monferrato grown?
Alessandria province in Alto and Basso Monferrato
What is the variety requirement for both Barbera del Monferrato Superiore DOCG and Barbera del Monferrato DOC?
minimum 85% Barbera; up to 15% Freisa and/or Grignolino and/or Dolcetto
What was Barbera traditionally blended with in Basso Monferrato?
Freisa
What was Barbera traditionally blended with in Alto Monferrato?
Dolcetto
How does Barbera del Monferrato Superiore DOCG differ from Barbera del Monferrato DOC?
lower yields, higher alcohol, higher extract
Does Barbera del Monferrato DOC have ageing requirements?
No
What is the ageing requirement for Barbera del Monferrato Superiore DOCG?
14 months (including 6 months in oak)
How do the profiles differ between Barbera del Monferrato DOC and Barbera del Monferrato Superiore DOCG?
DOC: light, everyday drinking wine; sour red fruit and refreshing acidity
Superiore DOCG: structured, well-integrated oak; complex aromas of red fruit, flowers and spice with velvet tannins
What happened to the Dolcetto di Ovada DOC in 2008?
split into 2 appellations; superiore version elevated to DOCG status
Which area do the Dolcetto di Ovada Superiore DOCG and Dolcetto di Ovada DOC cover?
same area around Ovada town in SE corner of Piemonte; west of Gavi DOCG
Which 2 appellations produce the third-largest value of Dolcetto in Piemonte?
Dolcetto di Ovada Superiore DOCG and Dolcetto di Ovada DOC
Where are the Dolcetto di Ovada Superiore DOCG and Dolcetto di Ovada DOC vineyards planted?
steep slopes on set of arid hills
What is the main training for Dolcetto di Ovada Superiore DOCG and Dolcetto di Ovada DOC?
Guyot
What are Dolcetto di Ovada Superiore DOCG wines made from?
100% Dolcetto
What are the ageing requirements for Dolcetto di Ovada Superiore DOCG?
minimum 1 year
What are the ageing requirements for Dolcetto di Ovada Superiore Riserva DOCG?
minimum 2 years
What are Dolcetto di Ovada DOC wines made from?
97% Dolcetto with up to 3% of other red varieties
Does Dolcetto di Ovada DOC have ageing requirements?
No
Which appellations is the most important for the Cortese grape?
Gavi DOCG
Where is the Gavi DOCG located?
SE corner of Alto Monferrato in Alessandria province
When did the vines in Gavi switch from red to white (Cortese) grapes?
vineyards replanted after phylloxera with Cortese (instead of Dolcetto)
Who raised the popularity of Cortese in the 1960s and 1970s?
La Scolca
Why did the quality of Gavi decrease during the 1980s?
high yields resulted in neutral, acidic wines