Piemonte / Northern Piemonte Flashcards
What is another name for Northern Piemonte?
Alto Piemonte (upper Piemonte)
What variety is mostly grown in Northern Piemonte?
Nebbiolo?
What is Nebbiolo called in Northern Piemonte?
Spanna
What are the 2 wine districts in Northern Piemonte?
Novara and Vercelli Hills
Canavese
Where are the Novara and Vercelli Hills located?
NE part of Piemonte bordering Lombardia; north of cities Novara and Vercelli
What are the main soils in Novara and Vercelli Hills?
sand, clay and gravel
sub-soils: volcanic with igneous porphyry rocks and granite
What is the geological history of Novara and Vercelli Hills?
series of moraines left after glaciers retreated
What divides the two halves of the district?
Sesia River separates Vercelli province in west from Novara province in east
How many main appellations in Novara and Vercelli?
7
Which appellations are on the west bank?
Gattinara, Bramaterra and Lessona (in Vercelli and Biella province)
Which appellations are on the east bank?
Theme, Boca, Sizzano and Fara (in Novara province)
What are the 2 sub-regional appellations?
Colline Novaresi covers east bank of Sesia;
Coste della Sesia covers west bank
Why do Nebbiolo wines have higher acidity that those from southern Piemonte?
- Lake Maggiore and Lake Orta moderate climate
- hills get cool air descending from Alps
- diurnal temperature swings
Why is Nebbiolo blended in Novara and Vercelli Hills during cooler vintages?
Northern location and elevation makes it difficult to achieve full ripeness; Nebbiolo softened through blending during cooler vintages
Which varieties are typically blended with Nebbiolo in Novara and Vercelli Hills?
Vespolina, Croatian and Uva Rara (Bonarda Novarese)
What is the local name for Uva Rara in Novara and Vercelli Hills?
Bonarda Novarese
What is the traditional training method?
pergola
How are most vines trained nowadays?
Guyot
When did the wines of northern Piemonte have the best reputation?
up until the end of 19th century
What are the two most important appellations in Novara and Vercelli Hills?
Gattinara DOCG (west bank) Ghemme DOCG (east bank)
Which appellation requires a higher percentage of Nebbiolo in final blend: Gattinara or Ghemme?
Gattinara DOCG: 90%
Ghemme DOCG: 85%
What are the authorized blending partners for Gattinara and Ghemme DOCGs?
Vespolina and/ Uva Rara
Gattinara DOCG limits Vespolina to 4%
What are the ageing requirements for Gattinara and Ghemme DOCGs?
Gattinara: 35 months (min. 24 months in oak)
Ghemme: 34 months (min. 18 months in oak)
What are the ageing requirements for Gattinara and Ghemme Reservas?
Gattinara: 47 months (min. 36 months in oak)
Ghemme: 46 months (min. 24 months in oak)
Which appellation in northern Piemonte has the longest-lived expressions of Nebbiolo?
Gattinara DOCG
Who introduced the wines of Gattinara to the Imperial Court of Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, in 16th century?
Cardinal Mercurino Arborio (native to Gattinara); wines famous until end of 19th century
Where are the Gattinara DOCG vineyards planted?
planted on steep hillsides behind town of Gattinara to north of city of Vercelli on west bank of Sesia River
Why is the required minimum percentage of Nebbiolo in Gattinara wines higher than in other northern appellations?
grapes can ripen easier because of better natural conditions (exposure, altitude and soil)
Who are the top 5 producers in Gattinara DOCG?
Osso San Grato San Francesco Castelle Molsino Valferana
Which northern Piemonte appellation wines benefits from longer bottle ageing?
Gattinara DOCG
How do Gattinara DOCG wines differ from those of Langhe?
higher acidity with lighter color and lower alcohol levels