Veneto Flashcards
Which region is the most significant of the three that comprise the Tre Venezie and produces the most wine in Italy?
Veneto, with it’s capital in Venice
What characterizes much of Veneto’s lower-tier wine production?
An ocean of neutral, cheap Pinot Grigio (Pinot Gris) and sparkling wines
What proportion of Veneto’s wine production is of DOC quality, and what issues does the DOC system face?
Over a quarter of the production is DOC quality, but expansion into inferior areas fuels criticism and leads to lesser wines
What factors contribute to difficulties in raising the base level of quality in Veneto’s wine production?
Distressingly high yields and the presence of large mass-production wine companies
What famous and expensive luxury wine does Veneto produce?
Amarone della Valpolicella (Amarone)
What styles represent the height of complexity in the Valpolicella region?
Raisinated styles such as Amarone della Valpolicella and Recioto della Valpolicella
What are Valpolicella DOC wines primarily made from, and what is the percentage range for Corvina in the blend?
Made from 45-95% Corvina, blended with Rondinella
What are the characteristics of standard Valpolicella DOC wines?
Refreshing, lively, and uncomplicated
What distinguishes Valpolicella superiore wines from standard DOC wines?
They have a rounder character, higher minimum alcohol, and require a minimum of one year of aging
Where is the Valpolicella Classico region located, and what does it consist of?
Located at the western end of the appellation near Lake Garda, consisting of valleys surrounding the communes of Fumane, Marano, Negrar, Sant’Ambrogio, and San Pietro in Cariano
Which valleys in the eastern Valpolicella DOC can produce equally compelling wines, and which modernist is associated with this area?
The Valpantena and Illasi valleys, home to the modernist Romano Dal Forno
What trend is becoming more common throughout the hierarchy of Valpolicella wine styles?
Single vineyard (vigna) bottlings
What is the historical significance of the recioto style in Valpolicella?
Recioto was the precursor to modern Valpolicella wines and a historical specialty of the region
How does the production of Recioto della Valpolicella and Amarone differ from basic Valpolicella DOC wines?
Both are produced through the expensive appassimento process, where grapes are dried for over three months before fermentation
What are the varietal requirements for Recioto della Valpolicella wines?
They are identical to the basic Valpolicella DOC
How long are grapes destined for Recioto della Valpolicella typically dried, and what is the resulting wine like?
Dried for an additional month, resulting in a semi-sweet to sweet wine
What is the difference between Recioto della Valpolicella and Amarone in terms of fermentation?
Amarone is fermented to dryness or near-dryness, while Recioto is semi-sweet to sweet
What characteristics does the appassimento process add to the final wines?
Complex dried fruit tones, additional alcoholic warmth, and a round, glycolic mouthfeel
How long must Amarone age before release, and what variations exist in aging methods?
Amarone spends an additional two years aging. Some producers use new barriques, while others use large, neutral Slavonian botti.
When can Amarone be labeled as riserva?
If aged for a minimum of 4 years
When were Recioto della Valpolicella and Amarone della Valpolicella granted DOCG status?
In early 2010
What labeling options exist for Recioto della Valpolicella and Amarone della Valpolicella based on their origin?
They may be labeled as Classico or Valpantena if they originate in the respective areas
What unique characteristic can Recioto della Valpolicella wines have?
They may be spumante (sparkling)
What is Valpolicella Ripasso, and when did it receive its own DOC?
Valpolicella Ripasso is a wine re-passed over and re-fermented with the unpressed skins of Amarone or Recioto grapes. It received its DOC in 2010
What are the minimum alcohol requirements for Valpolicella Ripasso and Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore?
Valpolicella Ripasso requires a minimum of 12.5% alcohol, while Ripasso Superiore must achieve 13%
Where is the Bardolino DOC zone located?
Between Valpolicella Classico and the eastern shores of Lake Garda
Which grapes dominate the blend of Bardolino, and how does the wine compare to Valpolicella?
Corvina and Rondinella grapes dominate, and the wine is usually slightly lighter and more neutral than Valpolicella
What are the aging and alcohol requirements for Bardolino Superiore DOCG?
It requires a year of aging prior to release and an additional one percent of alcohol
What is the rosé version of Bardolino called?
Bardolino Chiaretto
What is the principal and most important white wine zone in Veneto?
Soave DOC
What are the primary grapes used in Soave DOC wines, and what are the percentage requirements?
Soave wines are comprised of a minimum 70% Garganega and a maximum of 30% Trebbiano di Soave and/or Chardonnay, with up to 5% other authorized white wine grapes
Why is Soave DOC considered a cautionary example among Italy’s vinous expansions?
The region has been so enormously extended from its hilly Classico zone that it has lost much of its original meaning and distinction
What formalized effort was approved in 2019 for Soave DOC?
The classification of Soave into geographical entities, recognizing 33 individual crus
What are the two DOCGs in Soave?
Recioto di Soave DOCG and Soave Superiore DOCG
What is the purpose of Soave Superiore DOCG, and where are its wines typically produced?
It represents an attempt to remedy Soave’s marred reputation and covers wines from the Classico or Colli Scaligeri subregions
What is the typical vinification method for Soave Superiore wines?
They are typically vinified in stainless steel
How long must Soave Superiore DOCG wines be aged, and what additional aging is required for riserva?
Aged for at least six months; riserva requires at least one year of aging
How is Recioto di Soave DOCG produced, and what is encouraged during production?
Produced from grapes dried for four to six months, with barrel fermentation common and the growth of botrytis cinerea encouraged
Which Soave wines may be spumante, and which may not?
Soave DOC and Recioto di Soave DOCG wines may be spumante; Soave Superiore DOCG wines may not
Which region produces wines similar to Soave, and what is the principal grape?
Gambellara DOC to the east of Soave, with Garganega as the principal grape
What DOCG status was achieved by Recioto di Gambellara, and for what type of wines?
Achieved DOCG status in 2008 for sweet still and sparkling wines produced from 100% dried Garganega grapes
Where is Breganze Torcolato DOC located, and which grape is used?
Just north of Gambellara, using the local, acidic Vespaiolo grape
What types of wines are produced as Breganze DOC?
A number of varietal dry wines from both local and international varieties
How do the sparkling wines of Veneto differ from those of neighboring Lombardy?
Veneto’s sparkling wines are less serious, inexpensive, and refreshing, while Lombardy’s wines are serious-minded and metodo classico
What grape is primarily used in Veneto’s sparkling wines, and what method is typically used for production?
The Prosecco grape, using the Charmat method
What are the differences between spumante and frizzante Prosecco wines in terms of pressure?
Spumante wines are fully sparkling with a minimum of 3.5 atmospheres of pressure, while frizzante wines are slightly sparkling with 1.0-2.5 atmospheres of pressure
How are Prosecco wines typically fermented, and what does this process avoid adding to the wine?
They undergo secondary fermentation in large stainless steel autoclaves, avoiding leesy, yeasty aromas.
What characterizes the worst and best Prosecco wines?
At their worst, Prosecco wines are bland sparklers with added sugar; at their best, they are semi-sweet or nearly dry, energetic, and fresh
What are the two DOCG zones for Prosecco established from the 2009 vintage onward?
Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco DOCG and Asolo Prosecco DOCG (formerly Prosecco Montello e Colli Asolani)
What styles of Prosecco are primarily produced in these DOCG zones, and what sweetness levels are common?
The focus is on frizzante and spumante superiore styles, with wines typically produced in extra dry or brut sweetness levels
Where is the historical heartland of Prosecco production located?
The hilly zone between the communes of Conegliano and Valdobbiadene
What is the most noteworthy cru in the Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco DOCG, and what is unique about its wines?
Cartizze, comprising 107 hectares, with wines labeled Valdobbiadene Superiore di Cartizze, fully sparkling and generally “dry” with 17-35 grams per liter of residual sugar
What is the requirement for Prosecco to be released with a vintage date?
The wine must be comprised of a minimum 85% of the stated year’s harvest
What is the minimum percentage of the Prosecco grape required in wines from both DOCG zones?
A minimum of 85%
What happens if a Prosecco wine is released below the DOC level?
The name Prosecco may not be used on labels, and the grape is listed under its historical name, Glera
Which regions were promoted to DOCG status in 2010?
Colli Euganei Fior d’Arancio, Piave Malanotte, and Lison (a region shared with Friuli)
What criticism has arisen from the promotion of lesser-known regions to DOCG status?
It further fuels criticism that the DOCG system in Italy is in need of serious repair
