Veneto** Flashcards
How did Veneto’s history helped to shape its modern wine industry?
long cultural history as regional power and appreciation of wine supported production; mercantile history promoted trade and encouraged rapid responses to market demand
What is the relative importance of Veneto to Italy’s wine industry as a whole?
most[!] productive DOC/G wine region in Italy by volume; second in total DOCG’s (behind Piemonte); third most productive (area under vine) region (behind only Sicilia and Puglia); third in total DOC’s (and DOC/G’s) behind Piemonte and Toscana.
What are the factors that influence the Veneto’s climate?
Paduana plain to west; Adriatic sea to east and Alps to north
How is Veneto’s grape growing area sub-divided and what makes the divisions different from each other (soils, climate, grape varieties, etc.)?
How is Veneto divided topographically and climatically?
What are the predominant soil types in Veneto’s sub-regions and “need to know” appellations?
What is the influence of rivers, hills and mountains on viticultural practices in the Veneto?
What are the most widely planted grape varieties of the Veneto and their synonyms?
What are the grape varieties utilized for Veneto’s “need to know” appellations?
What are the key viticultural details (origin, vineyard practices, etc.) about the “need to know” grapes in the Veneto?
Which grape varieties in the Veneto are best suited for still, sparkling and/or dessert wines?
What are the key structural characteristics (acid, tannin, etc.) of Veneto’s “need to know” grape varieties?
Which wines in the Veneto allow blending partners?
Which wines in the Veneto must be 100% varietal?
The permissible wine styles (still, sparkling, dessert, rosato, etc.) of the “need to know” appellations in the Veneto?
What is the significance of possible label terms such as: Superiore, Chiaretto, Novello, Classica, etc. in the Veneto?
What winemaking techniques are specific to “need to know” appellations in the Veneto?
What are the definitions of key winemaking terms such as: appassimento, picai, passito, ripasso, etc.
Be familiar with the aging requirements of the “need to know” DOCGs in the Veneto.
What are the legally permissible blending formulas of the “need to know” appellations in the Veneto?
What are the sub-zones of “need to know” appellations in the Veneto?
Where are the “need to know” appellations situated within Veneto’s sub-regions?
What is the climate, topography and geology of the “need to know” appellations in the Veneto?
Describe the historical evolution of Veneto’s “need to know” appellations.
Who are the key historical figures associated with specific DOCGs in the Veneto?
What is Italy’s most productive wine region?
Veneto [but not the most area under vine, behind Sicily and Puglia]
How much of Italy’s total DOC/G wine production is made in the Veneto?
25%, Italy’s largest DOC/G producer
What is the wine qualtiy pyramid in Veneto?
> 50% DOC/G, >30% IGT, <20% vino
Describe the history of Trieste prior to WWII.
Until 1918, Trieste was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire along with all of the Slovene lands. But with the end of the First World War, Trieste, together with the entire coastal region of what is now Slovenia and Croatia, was given over to Italy.
Describe the history of Trieste after WWII.
In May 1945, Tito’s forces occupied Trieste for forty days, but were then pushed out by the Allied Forces. It remained under an international administration until 1954 when the territory was seceded outright to Italy,
Describe the topographic division of Veneto.
Mountains 30%, Hills 15%, Plains 55%
Compare the wine production of the different topographic entities of Veneto.
an outsized contribution from the hills, reflecting the high quality, but majority from plains; Mountains 2%, Hills 39%, Plains 59%
How is Veneto divided climatically?
4 zones: Alpine, Hilly area, Plains, Coastal plains
What is the division of red and white grapes in Veneto?
about 50/50.
What are the main indigenous grapes in Veneto?
Glera, Garganega and Corvina (account for almost half of plantings)
What are the three most planted grapes in Veneto?
Glera, Garganega and Pinot Grigio [all whites, but red=white overall]
What is the most planted white grape in Veneto?
Glera
What is the most planted red grape in Veneto?
Merlot [surprise! followed closely by Corvina]
What does Tre Venezie refer to?
3 Italian administrative regions in NE corner of Italy: Veneto, Trentino-Alto Adige, Friuli-Venezia Giulia
When did wine exports start in the Veneto?
Middle Ages with Venetian Republic
What is the evidence suggesting the significant importance of Veneto to Italy’s wine culture as a whole?
high annual per capita wine consumption in Veneto; Vinitaly in Verona - the world’s largest international wine event; Scuola Enologica di Conegliano, founded in 1876
What were the Veneto wines of reputation in the 1970’s and 80’s?
Valpolicella and Soave
When did Veneti settle in Veneto?
before 9th century BCE
Who taught the Veneti to make wine?
Etruscans and Rhaeti
With the Lombard invasion of Northern Italy after fall of Roman Empire, what was fate of Veneto?
divided: mainland area controlled by Lombards and coastal area controlled by Byzantines
When did Venice achieve independence from Byzantines?
9th century CE
The Venetian empire extended east how far?
Slovenia and Croatia
When did Venice start to fade politically?
in the early 17th century [after Titian]
What was the fatal blow to Venetian wine trade in the years after Venice’s peak power?
winter freeze of 1709
What were the transitions of power in the Veneto after the Venetian Republic?
Napoleon 1797, Austrian Empire, Kingdom of Italy
What are the main wine regions in the hilly area of Veneto?
Bardolino, Valpolicella, Soave, Conegliano Valdobbiadene responsible for 40% of area under vine, but hills only 15% of area
Name 4 rivers flowing south through the Veneto that arise in Alps and empty in the Adriatic.
Brenta, Tagliamento, Livenza, Piave [BLTP]
Name 2 rivers that flow across southern Veneto and empty in the Adriatic Sea.
Adige (originates in Alps) and Po rivers
Describe the variance of rain in the Veneto.
lowest rain on the plains and coast, increasing further north
Which Italian regions border Veneto?
Emilia Romagna (S), Lombardia (W) Trentino Alto-Adige (N) and Friuli Venezia Giulia (NE)
Which international countries border Veneto?
Austria [not Switzerland or Slovenia]
What is role of Bordeaux grapes in Veneto?
traditional in Central and Eastern Veneto, date from 1830’s [Merlot is most planted red in Veneto]
Where are Italy’s largest plantings of Carmenere and Malbec?
Veneto
What viniculural aspect makes Corvina suitable for appassimento?
thick skin
What makes Rondinella suitable for appassimento?
resistant to fungal disease [not thick skin as with Corvina]
What is the contribution of Rondinella to blends of Valpolicella?
easy to grow; resistance to fungal disease makes it ideal for appassimento; cherry aromas (but Corvina is renowned for adding aromatic complexity)
What is the contribution of Corvinone to blends?
structure, body, tannins and meaty-savory notes
What is the contribution of Molinara to blends?
acidity and ease of cultivation (lacks pigmentation and character)
What is the contribution of Oseleta to blends?
color and tannin
What are the need to know white grapes in Veneto?
Glera, Garganega, Vespaila
What are the need to know red grapes in Veneto?
Corvina, Rondinella, Corvinone, Raboso Piave
Why is there no significant wine production in the mountainous areas of the Veneto?
no east/west valleys (contrast with Valtellina, Val d’Aosta, Alto Adige)
What is etymology of Valpolicella?
valley of many cellars
What is difference between Vespaila and Vespailo?
VespailA = grApe; VespailO = vinO or wine
What is the capital of Veneto?
Venezia
What were the ancient prized wines of the Veneto?
Retico and Acinatico
Retico and Acinatico were ancestors of what modern wine?
recioto
What was the role of the Celtic tribes in Veneto?
Veneti were protected from Celtic invasion by alliance with Rome
What was the effect of the Venice Republic on Veneto wine trade?
significant positive effect
After Napoleon rule of Veneto, when did wine trade start to recover?
1876 with establishment of wine school in Conegliano to combat biological threats to the vine
What are the geological borders of Veneto?
The Alps, Lake Garda, Padana Plain, Adriatic Sea
What are the 5 major wine areas on the Veneto?
city based: Verona, Vicenza, Padova, Treviso, Venezia
What are the climatic viticultural hazards in the Veneto?
hail and harvest rain
In the Veneto in what topographic zone are the majority of the vineyards planted?
Plains [not hills!]
What is the climate of the mountainous area in the Veneto?
Alpine - cool rainy summers
What is the climate of the hilly area in the Veneto?
semi-continental with elevation, trapped warmth from south and cold air from north
What is the climate of the plains area in the Veneto?
fully continental with high humidity and fog;
What is the climate of the coastal plains area in the Veneto?
milder Mediterranean climate
What is role of international grapes in Veneto?
40% [Pinot Grigio]
In what Italian region is Merlot most often grown?
Veneto
Which grape in Valpolicella has the highest tannins?
Corvinone
What is the relevance of the producer Masi in the Veneto?
replanted red Oseleta in the 1980’s
What is the structure of wine from Raboso Piave?
red, high in tannin and acid
What is Glera Lunga?
related, distinct variety, less common than Glera; allowed up to 15% in Prosecco
Vespaiola is associated with which province?
Vicenza
What are Veneto’s two most productive provinces?
Verona, Treviso
What are the need to know appellations of Western Veneto sub-region?
Bardolino, Custoza, Valpolicella, Soave
What are the primary grapes of Central and Eastern Veneto?
Merlot, Glera
What is etymology of Raboso Piave?
from rabbioso - angry, implying difficulty in viticulture; or tributary of Piave River, Raboso
What are genetics of Rondinella?
offspring of Corvina
How much of the Veneto production is made in the Western Veneto sub-region?
40%
Which provinces are in the Central Veneto sub-region?
Vicenza and Padova
Where is Riviera degli Ulivi (the coast of the olive trees?)
southeastern shore of Lake Garda; home to the town of Bardolina
What separates Bardolino and Valpolicella appellations?
the Adige River
What style of wines are made in Bardolino?
light reds and rosatos
Bardolino overlaps with what appellation?
Custoza
What moderates the climate of Bardolino?
Lake Garda and Monte Baldo (protects from cold north winds) [Baldo>Bardolino]
What are the soils of Bardolino?
glacial moraines with high gravel contents
What are the main grapes in Bardolino?
Corvina Veronese (avg 60%,) Rondinella and Molinara
“Salato” is used to describe which wines?
spicy-salty quality of Bardolino Classico [salad bar]
What are the additional designations for Bardolino DOC?
Classico DOC, Chiaretto DOC, Novello DOC, Superiore DOCG
What was the first novello appellation to achieve DOC status?
Bardolino Novello DOC
What are the requirements of Bardolino Superiore DOC?
lower yields, higher alcohol, one year of aging, (same geographic area as entire DOC)
Retico wines came from what area?
ancient wines made in Valpolicella
Where is Valpolicella?
fan-shaped area, north of Verona
Monti Lessini is associated with what appellation?
foothills and valleys of Valpolicella [Lessini>VaLpoLiceLLa]
What moderates the climate of Valpolicella?
Lake Garda and Monti Lessini (protects from cold north winds)
What is viticultural climatic hazard for Valpolicella?
hail (protected with nets)
What is the significance of Illasi Valley?
shared portion of Valpolicella and Soave; Tramigna valley also shared
What is the soil of Valpolicella?
glacial moraine and alluvial > sandy-gravelly-clay
What is aspect of Valpolicella vineyards?
south-facing, terraced, supported by marogne
What are the sub-zones of Valpolicella district?
Valpolicella Classica, Valpantena, Valpolicella Orientale (unofficial growing area)
The best wines from Valpolicella come from which sub-zone?
Valpolicella Classica, northwest of Verona
What is the contribution of Covina to blends?
adds aromatic complexity
What is the role of Molinara in Valpolicella
was compulsory until 2003, now auxiliary
What is role of Pergola Veronese Doppia in Valpolicella?
outlawed in 2003 due to high yields; now using Pergoletta Veronese and Pergola Trentino
What re the appellations of Valpolicella district?
Valpolicella DOC, Valpolicella Ripasso DOC, Recioto della Valpolicella DOCG and Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG
What is link between Retico and Acinato with Recioto della Valpolicella?
air-drying grapes from Roman time in the same area
For Recioto della Valpolicella, grapes dry in fruttai for how long?
3-4 months, slightly less for Amarone
What is etymology of Amarone?
from amaro (bitter) balanced with sweetness.
What is a dry Recioto?
Amarone
When was Amarone marketed?
1950’s
What is the role of noble rot in Amarone?
some limit or avoid; some seek richer mouthfeel and enhanced aromatic complexity
How much of harvest can be used for Recioto or Amarone?
65%
What is aging requirement for Amarone?
2 years, riserva - 4 years
Compare wines of Bardolino and Valpolicella DOC’s?
similar, slightly more body and structure in Valpolicella
What is the style of Valpolicella Ripasso DOC wines?
dry between Valpolicella DOC and Amarone
What was favorite wine of Theodoric I, King of Visigoths?
Soave, white made by appassimento
What was the first Italian delimited zone to be officially recognized by Italian authorities?
Soave 1931 (before DOC system)
How do the soils of Soave from the East to West?
East: low volcanic hills with basalt and limestone; West: limestone on north-south hills
What is characteristic of climate in Soave?
diurnal shift due to cool air from Monti Lessini
What is blending formula for Soave?
> 70% Garganega, max of 30% Trebbiano di Soave (Verdicchio) a/o Chardonnay
What are the best known single vineyard sites for Soave?
Capitel Focsarino and Calvarino
What are the best known single vineyard sites for Soave?
Capitel Foscarino and Calvarino
What is Colli Scaligeri?
Soave hillside sub-zone of high quality outside classico designation, but Soave Superiore DOCG and Soave Colli Scaligeri partially overlap
How do the wines of Soave differ from the East to West?
East: floral (violet), spicy, ripe fruit and almond nose; West: more finesse, white flowers and green apple [west, think Burgundy; east: basalt; almond]
Where is Soave Classico sub-zone located?
between Soave and Monteforte d’Alpone, east ov Verona
How do blending formulas differ between Soave Superiore DOCG and Soave DOC?
the same, production standards are different
How do blending formulas differ between Soave Superiore DOCG and Recioto di Soave DOCG?
Chardonnay is not allowed in Recioto.
What is the process used in Recioto di Soave?
sweetness achieved by appassimento and [!] botrytis
What production method is associated with Bardolino Novello DOC?
carbonic maceration (first Novello appellation to be a DOC)
What is the contribution of Corvina Veronese to blends of Valpolicella?
aromatic complexity
What is twin sister appellation for Soave?
Gambellara
In what province is Gambellara found?
Vicenza
What is topographic make-up of Gambellara?
mostly hills, historic classico zone
What soils are associated with Gambellara?
volcanic basalt, similar to that found in eastern Soave
What is the blend of Gambellara?
80% Garganega, optional blending partners are Trebbiano di Soave, Chardonnay and Pinot Blanc
What are the DOCG’s of Gambellara?
Recioto di Gambellara DOCG
What is picai?
traditional method of air-drying grapes in Gambellara; hung with twine
What is the history of Colli Euganei?
pre-Roman wine making; first in Veneto to introduce Cabernet and Merlot to Veneto in 1800’s
What is the soils of Colli Euganei?
volcanic
What is the focus of Colli Euganei DOC?
wine range of wines with a diversity of styles [not need to know]
What is the focus of Fiori d’Arancio Colli Euganei DOCG?
Moscato Giallo, dry and sweet (more common) [need to know]
What is the focus of Bagnoli Friularo DOCG?
minimum of 90% Raboso Piave
What town (and nearby city) is associated with the classical region of Friularo in Central Veneto?
Bagnoli di Sopra, south of Padova
What is the focus of Berganze DOC?
high quality, well structured Bordeaux blends and varietals, plug unique wines [Berganze>barganza zone]
What are the unique wines of Berganze?
Vespaiola based wines: Tercolato and Vespaiolo
What is Torcolato?
100% Vespaiola passito
What are the DOCG’s of the Eastern Veneto?
Conegliano Valdobbiadene-Prosecco DOCG and Colli di Conegliano DOCG
What is focus of Colli di Conegliano?
white and red blends
What are the need to know appellations of Central Veneto?
Recioto di Gambellara DOCG, Breganze DOC, Colli Euganei Fiori d’Arancio DOCG, Bagnoli Friularo DOCG
What DOC produces the only Vin Santo in the Veneto?
Gambellara DOC in Central Veneto: Gambellera Classico Vin Santo, pressed during holy week
Conegliano Valdobbiadene-Prosecco DOCG is associated with which province?
Treviso
Conegliano Valdobbiadene-Prosecco DOCG is associated with what wine maker?
Carpene Malvolti
What is role of ancestrale method in the production of Prosecco?
historical production pre-dating the use of tank method, reflects late-ripening Glera and stuck fermentation in the winter
What is Prosecco col fondo?
Prosecco with deposit, made by ancestrale method
How does the east-west gradient affect the hills in Conegliano Valdobbiadene-Prosecco DOCG?
low gentle hills in the east, higher in west
How does the east-west gradient affect the temperature in Conegliano Valdobbiadene-Prosecco DOCG?
warmer in east near Adriatic, cooler in west near the mountains
What is the east-west orientation of Conegliano Valdobbiadene-Prosecco DOCG?
Conegliano in east; Valdobbiadene in west [V>W]
How does the east-west gradient affect the acidity in Conegliano Valdobbiadene-Prosecco DOCG?
higher acid in west
How does the east-west gradient affect the training in Conegliano Valdobbiadene-Prosecco DOCG?
Cappuccina (low-Guyot variant) in west; Sylvoz (high variant) in east [opposite of hills]
What is the Italian term for tank method for sparkling wines?
Metodo Martinotti, patented 1895
What are the two main contributions of Carpene Malvolti to Italian wine?
founded the Conegliano School of Enology in 1876 and started modern Prosecco production
What river is associated with
Conegliano Valdobbiadene-Prosecco DOCG?
it lies north of Piave River
How does the east-west gradient affect the fruit character in Conegliano Valdobbiadene-Prosecco DOCG?
softer wines with riper fruit character in the east
The appellations of Eastern Veneto fall into what 2 sub-areas?
Venetian Prealps Foothills including Asolo-Montello District and Eastern Plains District.
What are the need to know appellations in the Venetian Prealps Foothills?
Conegliano Valdobbiadene-Prosecco DOCG, Colli di Conegliano DOCG, Asolo Proseco DOCG
What are the need to know appellations in the Eastern Plains district of the Eastern Veneto?
Piave DOC (including Raboso del Piave DOC), Piave Malanotte DOCG (previously a designation of Piave DOC), Lison DOC
What is focus of Piave DOC?
varietal wine, especially Merlot, but also produces Raboso del Piave (similar to Bagnoli)
Where is Asolo Proseco DOCG?
between Piave and Brenta rivers, south of Conegliano Valdobbiadene-Prosecco DOCG
Where is Colli di Conegliano DOCG?
nearly overlaps Conegliano Valdobbiadene-Prosecco DOCG
What is focus of Colli di Conegliano?
dry blends, no spumante (reds must say rosso, whites do not)
What river is associated with Piave DOC?
lies on both banks of Piave River, west of Livenza River
What is focus of Lison DOCG?
Tai (Friuliano)
What special labeling terms are allowed for Prosecco DOC?
Treviso and Trieste
Which Prosecco labelings can only be released as spumante?
Cartizze, Rive and Superiore
What is use of vintage dating in Prosecco?
Rive must be, Cartizze can be, C-V Prosecco can be [riVe>Vintage dated]
What are the sub-zones of Conegliano Valdobbiadene-Prosecco DOCG?
Cartizze is only official sub-zone (247 acres)
What is quality pyramid for Prosecco?
top to bottom: Cartizze subzone, Rive, C-V P DOCG, P-Trieste DOC, P-Treviso DOC, Prosecco DOC
Where is the town of Prosecco?
province of Trieste (ironic as most of Prosecco comes from Veneto and town was not in older appellations)
How is Prosecco labeled outside of Prosecco appellations?
Glera (IGT)
What is focus of Colli di Conegliano Rosso DOCG?
Bordeaux blends
What is focus of Colli di Conegliano DOCG?
Manzoni Bianco dominant white blends (Bianco not on label)
What are the sub-zones of Colli di Conegliano DOCG?
passito production (Refrontolo and Torchiato di Fregona)
What is difference between Torchiato and Torcolato?
Torchiato is old pressing method used in Colli Conegliano for passitos; Torolato refers to twine for drying grapes, passito made from Vespaiola in Berganze DOC
In the Veneto, a wine labeled Cabernet most likely contains what?
a Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc blend
What is genetic relationship of Corvina and Corvinone?
none, (Rondinella is offspring of Corvina)
What are the mandatory grapes in the Valpolicella blend?
Corvina and Rondinella
What is the ripasso technique?
pouring freshly made Valpolicella through the vinacce (leftover unpressed lees and skins) of Amarone a/o Recioto and letting sit for 1-2 weeks for refermentation
The appellation Lison DOCG is found in which region?
inter-regional, Veneto and Friuli
What is the focus of Piave Malanotte?
A DOCG based on Raboso del Piave wine made with slight appassimento
What styles are permitted for C-V Prosecco?
still, frizzante, spumante (ancestral method is rarely done)