Veneto Flashcards
Veneto, with its capital at Venice, is the most significant of what?
the three regions that comprise the Tre Venezie
The Veneto produces more wine than any other region in Italy yet much of it what?
falls at a lower level—an ocean of neutral PG
The expansion of what DOC zones into markedly inferior areas fuels criticism of the DOC system and lends credence to lesser wines?
Soave and Valpolicella
What represent the height of complexity for the Valpolicella region?
The raisinated styles of Amarone della Valpolicella and Recioto della Valpolicella
What is the cepage for Valpolicella DOC wines?
45-95% Corvina, blended with Rondinella. Other non-aromatic grapes of the region, such as Molinara, Negrara and Oseleta, may not exceed a total 15% of the blend
Valpolicella DOC wines labeled superiore show what?
Wines labeled superiore show a rounder character, a higher min alcohol and a min of one year of aging
The Valpolicella Classico region is located where?
at the western end of the Valpolicella DOC, near the shores of Lake Garda
Valpolicella Classico consists of the several “fingers,” or valleys, surrounding the communes of what?
Fumane, Marano, Negrar, Sant’Ambrogio, and San Pietro in Cariano
Although the Valpolicella Classico wines tend to be more ambitious in scope, what wines can be equally compelling?
wines from the eastern Valpolicella DOC valleys of Valpantena and Illasi
What producer in the eastern Valpolicella valleys is unparalleled?
the Venetian modernist Romano Dal Forno
What is becoming more common throughout the hierarchy of Valpolicella styles?
Single vineyard (vigna) bottlings
The recioto style did not develop as an extension of the simpler Valpolicella wines; rather it was what?
the modern Valpolicella’s precursor and a historical specialty of the region
Recioto della Valpolicella and Amarone wines are produced through what?
the expensive appassimento process
What is the appassimento process?
grapes are dried for over 3 months in special lofts (fruttai) before fermentation, effectively concentrating sugar and extract
Grapes destined for Recioto della Valpolicella are typically dried for what?
an additional month, and the resulting wine is semi-sweet to sweet, whereas Amarone is fermented to dryness or near-dryness
What does the appassimento process add?
complex dried fruit tones, additional alcoholic warmth and a round, glycolic mouthfeel to the final wines
Amarone spends an additional ___ years aging prior to release
two
What producers in Amarone are utilizing new barriques to add spice and density to the wines?
Dal Forno, Allegrini
In Amarone, who remains traditional, aging the wine in large, neutral Slavonian botti?
Giuseppe Quintarelli
Amarone may be labeled riserva if aged for what?
a minimum 4 years
Both Recioto della Valpolicella and Amarone della Valpolicella were finally approved for DOCG status when?
In early 2010
Both Recioto della Valpolicella and Amarone della Valpolicella may labeled as Classico or Valpantena if what?
they originate in the respective areas
Recioto della Valpolicella wines may also be in what style?
spumante
Valpolicella Ripasso was finally granted its own DOC when?
in 2010
What is Valpolicella Ripasso?
a steppingstone in style between Valpolicella and Amarone: a wine “re-passed” over and re-fermented with the unpressed skins of grapes previously fermented for Amarone or Recioto wine
What is the min alcohol for Valpolicella Ripasso?
12.5%
What is the min alcohol for Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore?
13%
What zone zone lies between Valpolicella Classico and the eastern shores of Lake Garda?
Bardolino DOC
What grapes dominate the blend of Bardolino?
Corvina and Rondinella grapes
What is the style of Bardolino?
usually slightly lighter and more neutral than Valpolicella.
What does Bardolino Superiore DOCG require?
a year of aging prior to release and an additional one percent of alcohol
A rosé is produced in Bardolino, known as what?
Bardolino Chiaretto
Soave DOC cepage?
min 70% Garganega, plus Trebbiano di Soave and Chardonnay
What are the 2 DOCGs in Soave?
- Recioto di Soave DOCG
2. Soave Superiore DOCG
Soave Superiore represents an attempt by the region to remedy its marred reputation, and covers wines from what specified subregion?
Classico or Colli Scaligeri, typically vinified in stainless steel
Soave Superiore ageing requirements?
min 1yr (min 3mos of bottle aging), riserva min 2yrs
Recioto di Soave is produced from grapes dried from what?
4-6 mos in the same delimited area as Soave Superiore
Barrel fermentation is common in Recioto di Soave and the growth of what is encouraged?
botrytis cinerea
Soave DOC and Recioto di Soave DOCG wines may be ___; Soave Superiore DOCG wines may not
spumante
The wines of ___ DOC to the immediate east of Soave are similar in style and makeup
Gambellara
What grapes are allowed in Gambellara DOC?
Garganega is the principal grape, with Trebbiano di Soave and the lackluster Trebbiano di Toscana allowed at a combined maximum of 20%
Recioto di Gambellara achieved DOCG status in 2008 for what?
sweet still and sparkling wines produced from 100% dried Garganega grapes
Just north of Gambellara, who crafts singular Breganze Torcolato DOC wines?
Fausto Maculan
Breganze Torcolato DOC wines use exclusively what?
100% of the local, acidic Vespaiolo grape for the production of these passito wines
Breganze DOC wines are what?
varietal dry wines from both local and international varieties
Prosecco spumante wines vs. frizzante wines (pressure)
spumante- min 3.5 atm of pressure
frizzante - 1.0-2.5 atm of pressure
What Two DOCG zones are in place for Prosecco from the 2009 vintage onward?
- Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco DOCG
2. more obscure Asolo Prosecco DOCG
Both prosecco DOCs may produce what styles of wine?
still wine in addition to sparkling, the focus is on the frizzante and the spumante superiore styles.
What represents the historical heartland of Prosecco production?
The hilly zone between the communes of Conegliano and Valdobbiadene
The producers’ consorzio ambitiously aims for the development of crus in the Prosecco region, the most noteworthy being what?
Cartizze, comprising a mere 106 of the DOCG’s total 4,300 hectares!
Wines from the subzone are labeled Valdobbiadene Superiore di Cartizze, are what?
fully sparkling in style, and are generally “dry,” with 17-35 grams per liter of residual sugar
Most Prosecco is released as non-vintage; the wine may be released with a vintage date if what?
minimum 85% of the stated year’s harvest
The Prosecco grape makes up a minimum __ of the wine from both DOCG zones
85%
If the wine is not at DOC level, the name Prosecco may no longer be used on labels, and the grape is listed under its historical name—___
Glera
In 2010 what other Veneto areas were promoted to DOCG status?
Colli Euganei Fior d’Arancio, Piave Malanotte, and Lison (shared between Veneto and Friuli)
