Veneto Flashcards

1
Q

Which region is the most significant of the three that comprise the Tre Venezie and produces the most wine in Italy?

A

Veneto, with it’s capital in Venice

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2
Q

What characterizes much of Veneto’s lower-tier wine production?

A

An ocean of neutral, cheap Pinot Grigio (Pinot Gris) and sparkling wines

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3
Q

What proportion of Veneto’s wine production is of DOC quality, and what issues does the DOC system face?

A

Over a quarter of the production is DOC quality, but expansion into inferior areas fuels criticism and leads to lesser wines

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4
Q

What factors contribute to difficulties in raising the base level of quality in Veneto’s wine production?

A

Distressingly high yields and the presence of large mass-production wine companies

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5
Q

What famous and expensive luxury wine does Veneto produce?

A

Amarone della Valpolicella (Amarone)

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6
Q

What styles represent the height of complexity in the Valpolicella region?

A

Raisinated styles such as Amarone della Valpolicella and Recioto della Valpolicella

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7
Q

What are Valpolicella DOC wines primarily made from, and what is the percentage range for Corvina in the blend?

A

Made from 45-95% Corvina, blended with Rondinella

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8
Q

What are the characteristics of standard Valpolicella DOC wines?

A

Refreshing, lively, and uncomplicated

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9
Q

What distinguishes Valpolicella superiore wines from standard DOC wines?

A

They have a rounder character, higher minimum alcohol, and require a minimum of one year of aging

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10
Q

Where is the Valpolicella Classico region located, and what does it consist of?

A

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

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11
Q

Which valleys in the eastern Valpolicella DOC can produce equally compelling wines, and which modernist is associated with this area?

A

The Valpantena and Illasi valleys, home to the modernist Romano Dal Forno

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12
Q

What trend is becoming more common throughout the hierarchy of Valpolicella wine styles?

A

Single vineyard (vigna) bottlings

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13
Q

What is the historical significance of the recioto style in Valpolicella?

A

Recioto was the precursor to modern Valpolicella wines and a historical specialty of the region

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14
Q

How does the production of Recioto della Valpolicella and Amarone differ from basic Valpolicella DOC wines?

A

Both are produced through the expensive appassimento process, where grapes are dried for over three months before fermentation

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15
Q

What are the varietal requirements for Recioto della Valpolicella wines?

A

They are identical to the basic Valpolicella DOC

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16
Q

How long are grapes destined for Recioto della Valpolicella typically dried, and what is the resulting wine like?

A

Dried for an additional month, resulting in a semi-sweet to sweet wine

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17
Q

What is the difference between Recioto della Valpolicella and Amarone in terms of fermentation?

A

Amarone is fermented to dryness or near-dryness, while Recioto is semi-sweet to sweet

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18
Q

What characteristics does the appassimento process add to the final wines?

A

Complex dried fruit tones, additional alcoholic warmth, and a round, glycolic mouthfeel

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19
Q

How long must Amarone age before release, and what variations exist in aging methods?

A

Amarone spends an additional two years aging. Some producers use new barriques, while others use large, neutral Slavonian botti.

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20
Q

When can Amarone be labeled as riserva?

A

If aged for a minimum of 4 years

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21
Q

When were Recioto della Valpolicella and Amarone della Valpolicella granted DOCG status?

A

In early 2010

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22
Q

What labeling options exist for Recioto della Valpolicella and Amarone della Valpolicella based on their origin?

A

They may be labeled as Classico or Valpantena if they originate in the respective areas

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23
Q

What unique characteristic can Recioto della Valpolicella wines have?

A

They may be spumante (sparkling)

24
Q

What is Valpolicella Ripasso, and when did it receive its own DOC?

A

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

25
Q

What are the minimum alcohol requirements for Valpolicella Ripasso and Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore?

A

Valpolicella Ripasso requires a minimum of 12.5% alcohol, while Ripasso Superiore must achieve 13%

26
Q

Where is the Bardolino DOC zone located?

A

Between Valpolicella Classico and the eastern shores of Lake Garda

27
Q

Which grapes dominate the blend of Bardolino, and how does the wine compare to Valpolicella?

A

Corvina and Rondinella grapes dominate, and the wine is usually slightly lighter and more neutral than Valpolicella

28
Q

What are the aging and alcohol requirements for Bardolino Superiore DOCG?

A

It requires a year of aging prior to release and an additional one percent of alcohol

29
Q

What is the rosé version of Bardolino called?

A

Bardolino Chiaretto

30
Q

What is the principal and most important white wine zone in Veneto?

A

Soave DOC

31
Q

What are the primary grapes used in Soave DOC wines, and what are the percentage requirements?

A

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

32
Q

Why is Soave DOC considered a cautionary example among Italy’s vinous expansions?

A

The region has been so enormously extended from its hilly Classico zone that it has lost much of its original meaning and distinction

33
Q

What formalized effort was approved in 2019 for Soave DOC?

A

The classification of Soave into geographical entities, recognizing 33 individual crus

34
Q

What are the two DOCGs in Soave?

A

Recioto di Soave DOCG and Soave Superiore DOCG

35
Q

What is the purpose of Soave Superiore DOCG, and where are its wines typically produced?

A

It represents an attempt to remedy Soave’s marred reputation and covers wines from the Classico or Colli Scaligeri subregions

36
Q

What is the typical vinification method for Soave Superiore wines?

A

They are typically vinified in stainless steel

37
Q

How long must Soave Superiore DOCG wines be aged, and what additional aging is required for riserva?

A

Aged for at least six months; riserva requires at least one year of aging

38
Q

How is Recioto di Soave DOCG produced, and what is encouraged during production?

A

Produced from grapes dried for four to six months, with barrel fermentation common and the growth of botrytis cinerea encouraged

39
Q

Which Soave wines may be spumante, and which may not?

A

Soave DOC and Recioto di Soave DOCG wines may be spumante; Soave Superiore DOCG wines may not

40
Q

Which region produces wines similar to Soave, and what is the principal grape?

A

Gambellara DOC to the east of Soave, with Garganega as the principal grape

41
Q

What DOCG status was achieved by Recioto di Gambellara, and for what type of wines?

A

Achieved DOCG status in 2008 for sweet still and sparkling wines produced from 100% dried Garganega grapes

42
Q

Where is Breganze Torcolato DOC located, and which grape is used?

A

Just north of Gambellara, using the local, acidic Vespaiolo grape

43
Q

What types of wines are produced as Breganze DOC?

A

A number of varietal dry wines from both local and international varieties

44
Q

How do the sparkling wines of Veneto differ from those of neighboring Lombardy?

A

Veneto’s sparkling wines are less serious, inexpensive, and refreshing, while Lombardy’s wines are serious-minded and metodo classico

45
Q

What grape is primarily used in Veneto’s sparkling wines, and what method is typically used for production?

A

The Prosecco grape, using the Charmat method

46
Q

What are the differences between spumante and frizzante Prosecco wines in terms of pressure?

A

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

47
Q

How are Prosecco wines typically fermented, and what does this process avoid adding to the wine?

A

They undergo secondary fermentation in large stainless steel autoclaves, avoiding leesy, yeasty aromas.

48
Q

What characterizes the worst and best Prosecco wines?

A

At their worst, Prosecco wines are bland sparklers with added sugar; at their best, they are semi-sweet or nearly dry, energetic, and fresh

49
Q

What are the two DOCG zones for Prosecco established from the 2009 vintage onward?

A

Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco DOCG and Asolo Prosecco DOCG (formerly Prosecco Montello e Colli Asolani)

50
Q

What styles of Prosecco are primarily produced in these DOCG zones, and what sweetness levels are common?

A

The focus is on frizzante and spumante superiore styles, with wines typically produced in extra dry or brut sweetness levels

51
Q

Where is the historical heartland of Prosecco production located?

A

The hilly zone between the communes of Conegliano and Valdobbiadene

52
Q

What is the most noteworthy cru in the Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco DOCG, and what is unique about its wines?

A

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

53
Q

What is the requirement for Prosecco to be released with a vintage date?

A

The wine must be comprised of a minimum 85% of the stated year’s harvest

54
Q

What is the minimum percentage of the Prosecco grape required in wines from both DOCG zones?

A

A minimum of 85%

55
Q

What happens if a Prosecco wine is released below the DOC level?

A

The name Prosecco may not be used on labels, and the grape is listed under its historical name, Glera

56
Q

Which regions were promoted to DOCG status in 2010?

A

Colli Euganei Fior d’Arancio, Piave Malanotte, and Lison (a region shared with Friuli)

57
Q

What criticism has arisen from the promotion of lesser-known regions to DOCG status?

A

It further fuels criticism that the DOCG system in Italy is in need of serious repair