Sparkling Wine in Italy & Prosecco Flashcards
SPARKING WINE IN ITALY
main regions of sparking wine production?
Prosecco demand resulted in overtaking France as exporter by volume in 2009
Asti
Lambrusco
Franciacorta
Trentodoc
SPARKING WINE IN ITALY
Method used in sparking wine production include?
Tank Prosecco, Lambrusco, Asti -variation
Traditional Method
SPARKING WINE IN ITALY
highlights of Tank method
96% of sparkling wine production
half was Prosecco
developed in Italy in 1880s by Martiontti
refined by Frenchman, Charmat
Prosecco & Lambrusco, Asti (variation)
SPARKING WINE IN ITALY
Tank method classification
depending on level of pressures
Spumante – 3 bars of pressure
Frizzante 1-2.5 bars of pressure
SPARKING WINE IN ITALY
highlights of traditional method?
4% of sparking wine production
Franciacorta
Trentodoc
1/10 of Champagne production
SPARKING WINE IN ITALY
general picture of level of production
Italian ___ production sector is 1/10 of Champagne prod
PROSECCO-
basic characteristics of a prosecco?
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)
PROSECCO-
quality level?
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
PROSECCO-
name the PDOs?
updates to PDO in 2009
Prosecco DOC
Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco DOCG
Asolo Prosecco DOCG
PROSECCO- Prosecco DOC
region the DOC covers?
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
PROSECCO- Prosecco DOC
Treviso or Trieste
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
PROSECCO- map
PROSECCO -Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco DOCG
where is this?
hilly region between Conegliano and Valdobbiadene in Veneto
promoted from DOC to DOCG
200-320M
producer must use either name or both towns
PROSECCO -Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco DOCG
Superiore on label
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
PROSECCO- Asolo Prosecco DOCG
where is this?
DOCG of about 1,800 Ha in hilly area south of Valobbiadene
Superiore may be added- spumante category
PROSECCO- principal varietal?
Glera
named changed from Prosecco so that designating could define the area and not the grape
also to prevent exploitation
PROSECCO- Volume of the denominations?
PROSECCO- Climate and Soil
describe the climate? DOC
warm, moderately continental
moderate rainfall
flat plain affected by moist air and fog from rivers
Spray need to combat disease
PROSECCO- Climate and Soil
describe the climate DOCG?
in hillier area
cooling influences from altitude
higher diurnal temp ranges longer, slower ripening
higher acidity and more intense fruit flavors
PROSECCO- Climate and Soil
Describe the soil?
___ vary considerably across large region
general more fertile on the plains
-contributing to higher yields and lighter intensity wines
PROSECCO- Grape Varieties
characteristics of Glera?
vigorous, semi aromatic, capable of high yields
trained vertically trellised system w/ 8-12 buds
low to medium planting density
permitted yield is high
PROSECCO- Grape Varieties
what varieties are permitted for Prosecco DOC?
may wines are 100% Glera
up to 15% can be local varieties or certain international varieties are permitted
PROSECCO- Grape Varieties
Glera hazards include?
susceptible to
Millerandage powdery mildew
downy mildew summer drought,
grapevine yellows
Describe Grapevine Yellows in a vineyard?
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
What are management options for Grapevine Yellows?
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
Millerandage
Condition of the grape bunch in which there is a high proportion of seedless grapes
- can still ripen
- volume small & can negative affect quality
Millerandage is caused by?
-caused by cold, wet, windy weather at pollination and fruit set with some varieties (chard & merlot more susceptible than others)
