Piemonte / Grape Varieties Flashcards
Which 3 grapes has Piemonte built its reputation on?
Nebbiolo, Barbera and Moscato Bianco
Do red or white grapes dominate Piemonte’s vineyard?
red varieties (2/3 of all plantings)
What is the most widely planted grape?
Barbera (30%)
Where is Barbera planted?
throughout entire region; stronghold in Asti and Alessandria provinces
What is the 3rd most planted variety?
Dolcetto
Where is Dolcetto mostly planted?
Langhe and southern hills of Monferrato
How many DOC/Gs are dedicated to Dolcetto?
7
What are the Dolcetto DOCGs?
Dolcetto di Ovada Superiore DOCG / Ovada DOCG
Dolcetto di Diano d’Alba DOCG
Dogliani DOCG
What are the Dolcetto DOCs?
Dolcetto d’Alba DO
Dolcetto d’Asti DOC
Dolcetto d’Acqui DOC
Dolcetto di Ovada DOC
Which variety has the greatest reputation?
Nebbiolo
What are the 2 most prestigious Nebbiolo appellations?
Barolo and Barbaresco
Which 8 appellations have Nebbiolo as their primary variety?
Barolo, Barbaresco, Carema, Gattinara, Ghemme, Langhe Nebbiolo, Nebbiolo d’Alba, and Roero
What is the second most planted variety in Piemonte?
Moscato Bianco
Which variety is planted in Gavi DOCG?
Cortese (white)
Which 4 varieties represent 70% of all plantings in Piemonte?
Barbera, Moscato Bianco, Dolcetto and Nebbiolo
Which varieties were mostly replanted after phylloxera hit Piemonte: local or international?
local varieties
What percentage of vineyards makes up international varieties?
less than 4%
Which international varieties are the most planted in Piemonte?
Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Nero
Where is the native home of Barbera?
Monferrato
Is Barbera late- or early-ripening?
late-ripening
What is Barbera’s key attributes?
productive and keeps acidity when fully ripe
What is Barbera’s profile?
deep color, red cherry fruit, high acidity, low tannins
What can be done to add to Barbera’s structure
oak maturation (new barriques); adds tannins and toast/vanilla aromas/flavors
What is the traditional way of making Barbera?
large neutral oak casks
Which grape was the most planted in Piemonte before phylloxera?
Dolcetto
What does Dolcetto mean?
little sweet one - refers to sweetness of grape at harvest
Why is Dolcetto highly valued by growers?
ripens earlier and ripens on cooler and higher sites than Barbera and Nebbiolo
What is Dolcetto’s profile?
black plum, licorice and almond, low acid, noticeable tannins give bitter finish
What are the 7 main red varieties in Piemonte?
Barbera Brachetto Dolcetto Freisa Grignolino Nebbiolo Ruchè
Where does the name Nebbiolo come from?
from the word nebbia (fog)
related to bloom that covers grape or fog covering hills during harvest
Is Nebbiolo early- or late-budding?
early-budding
Is Nebbiolo early- or late-ripening?
late-ripening?