Sparkling Wine in Italy & Prosecco

Question 1

SPARKING WINE IN ITALY

main regions of sparking wine production?

Answer 1

Prosecco demand resulted in overtaking France as exporter by volume in 2009

Asti

Lambrusco

Franciacorta

Trentodoc

Question 2

SPARKING WINE IN ITALY

Method used in sparking wine production include?

Answer 2

Tank Prosecco, Lambrusco, Asti -variation

Traditional Method

Question 3

SPARKING WINE IN ITALY

highlights of Tank method

Answer 3

96% of sparkling wine production

half was Prosecco

developed in Italy in 1880s by Martiontti

refined by Frenchman, Charmat

Prosecco & Lambrusco, Asti (variation)

Question 4

SPARKING WINE IN ITALY

Tank method classification

Answer 4

depending on level of pressures

Spumante – 3 bars of pressure

Frizzante 1-2.5 bars of pressure

Question 5

SPARKING WINE IN ITALY

highlights of traditional method?

Answer 5

4% of sparking wine production

Franciacorta

Trentodoc

1/10 of Champagne production

Question 6

SPARKING WINE IN ITALY

general picture of level of production

Answer 6

Italian ___ production sector is 1/10 of Champagne prod

Question 7

PROSECCO-

basic characteristics of a prosecco?

Answer 7

Glara, NE Italy- tank method

light to med- intensity apple pear

light body

Acidity: med to med +

Sweetness: Brut to Demi-Sec, Extra Dry most common

Bubble: Fully sparking (spumante) and lower (frizzante)

Question 8

PROSECCO-

quality level?

Answer 8

Prosecco DOC Acceptable to good quality

light intensity

mid prices with some inexpensive supermarket

Prosecco DOCG good to very good

med Intensity, greater definition & range Primary pear, apple, peach

mid priced with some premium prices

Question 9

PROSECCO-

name the PDOs?

Answer 9

updates to PDO in 2009

Prosecco DOC

Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco DOCG

Asolo Prosecco DOCG

Question 10

PROSECCO- Prosecco DOC

region the DOC covers?

Answer 10

Formerly an IGT (indicazione Geografica Tipica) Veneto & Friuli

now DOC

Majority of the plants are grown on the plains

Much less on the mountains and hills

Question 11

PROSECCO- Prosecco DOC

Treviso or Trieste

Answer 11

GI may be added to Prosecco DOC if grapes

• region is in the center Veneto area on the plains
• had been grown and wine made in these two areas
• Treviso much more important

Question 12

PROSECCO- map

Answer 12

Question 13

PROSECCO -Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco DOCG

where is this?

Answer 13

hilly region between Conegliano and Valdobbiadene in Veneto

promoted from DOC to DOCG

200-320M

producer must use either name or both towns

Question 14

PROSECCO -Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco DOCG

Superiore on label

Answer 14

Spumante category – Superior may be added and/or Prosecco omitted

Superior does not imply any different in winemaking

no higher alcohol

Prosecco DOCG is used to refer to this denomination

Question 15

PROSECCO- Asolo Prosecco DOCG

where is this?

Answer 15

DOCG of about 1,800 Ha in hilly area south of Valobbiadene

Superiore may be added- spumante category

Question 16

PROSECCO- principal varietal?

Answer 16

Glera

named changed from Prosecco so that designating could define the area and not the grape

also to prevent exploitation

Question 17

PROSECCO- Volume of the denominations?

Answer 17

Question 18

PROSECCO- Climate and Soil

describe the climate? DOC

Answer 18

warm, moderately continental

moderate rainfall

flat plain affected by moist air and fog from rivers

Spray need to combat disease

Question 19

PROSECCO- Climate and Soil

describe the climate DOCG?

Answer 19

in hillier area

cooling influences from altitude

higher diurnal temp ranges longer, slower ripening

higher acidity and more intense fruit flavors

Question 20

PROSECCO- Climate and Soil

Describe the soil?

Answer 20

___ vary considerably across large region

general more fertile on the plains

-contributing to higher yields and lighter intensity wines

Question 21

PROSECCO- Grape Varieties

characteristics of Glera?

Answer 21

vigorous, semi aromatic, capable of high yields

trained vertically trellised system w/ 8-12 buds

low to medium planting density

permitted yield is high

Question 22

PROSECCO- Grape Varieties

what varieties are permitted for Prosecco DOC?

Answer 22

may wines are 100% Glera

up to 15% can be local varieties or certain international varieties are permitted

Question 23

PROSECCO- Grape Varieties

Glera hazards include?

Answer 23

susceptible to

Millerandage powdery mildew

downy mildew summer drought,

grapevine yellows

Question 24

Describe Grapevine Yellows in a vineyard?

Answer 24

Bacterial Disease

• is a group of diseases by a type of bacteria
• serious threat to viticulture – no treatment available
• spread by vectors w/ include leafhoppers & by nurseries selling untreated, diseased stock

Question 25

What are management options for Grapevine Yellows?

Answer 25

no control

-focus is on controlling the vector: Leafhopper populations can be reduced by insecticides & plants that host the hoppers

Include cover crops that should be removed

-best practices in the nursery is to bath the pruning wood in hot water to kill the disease

Question 26

Millerandage

Answer 26

Condition of the grape bunch in which there is a high proportion of seedless grapes

• can still ripen
• volume small & can negative affect quality

Question 27

Millerandage is caused by?

Answer 27

-caused by cold, wet, windy weather at pollination and fruit set with some varieties (chard & merlot more susceptible than others)