Veneto Flashcards
Where in Italy is the Veneto region?
It extends from the southern end of Lake Garda in the west to Venice in the east, and ranges from the foothills in the Alps in the north to the flat plains of the Po Delta in the south.
It is the largest of Italy’s wine growing regions.
In general, describe the climate in Veneto
Warm and moderately continental with moderate rainfall
Name the two main cooling influences in the Veneto region
Altitude - vineyards in the foothills of the mountains are exposed to large diurnal temperature range
Breezes from Lake Garda - cool air helps cool vineyards in the west of the region
What trunk disease has become a threat in the Veneto region?
Esca
Explain how sites on the plain and hillside sites in Veneto might differ
Soils on the plains are generally rich and fertile, contributing to high yields
Hillside sites are better suited to higher quality wines due to a combination of better drainage and poorer soils
What is the most grown white grape in Veneto?
Glera - used for Prosecco
Where is the Soave region located?
East of Verona, in Veneto
Describe the soils found in the foothills to the north of Soave. How does this impact wines from here?
Limestone, clay, and / or volcanic rocks (basalt)
Soils are naturally cool
Altitude and cool soils slows down ripening leading to grapes with fuller flavour intensity and ripeness
Give the key characteristics of the Garganega vine
Vigorous Very productive Late ripening Susceptible to mildew and botrytis Main grape in Soave DOC
Give a typical tasting note for a Garganega wine
Medium intensity flavours Lemon, apple, pear and white pepper High acidity Medium body Good to outstanding quality
Describe how where grapes for top quality Soave might be sourced, and how the final wine would be produced produced
Use Garganega grapes from hillside sites Short, cold maceration period Cool fermentation (16 to 18 degrees) Some lees ageing Some producers may use oak
What is the maximum yield for Soave DOC?
When is the earliest that Soave DOC wines can be sold?
105hl/ha
December following the harvest
Where can grapes be sourced from for Soave DOC?
Where can grapes be sourced from for Soave Classico DOC?
Where can grapes be sourced from for Soave Superiore DOCG?
Soave DOC: Across the whole Soave region, mostly from the flat plains
Classico: Only from the hilly Classico area
Superiore: From a delimited hilly zone. This is the same area as is permitted for Recioto di Soave DOCG
What grapes, and at what percentages, are permitted for Soave DOC?
What percentage of production of wines from the Soave region is labelled Soave DOC?
Minimum 70% Garganega
The remaining 30% can be from Trebbiano di Soave (Verdicchio) or Chardonnay
80%
What grapes, and at what percentages, are permitted for Soave Classico DOC?
What percentage of production of wines from the Soave region is labelled Soave Classico DOC?
Minimum 70% Garganega
The remaining 30% can be from Trebbiano di Soave (Verdicchio) or Chardonnay
20%
What is the maximum yield for Soave Classico DOC?
When is the earliest that Soave Classico DOC wines can be sold?
98hl/ha
February the year after harvest
What grapes, and at what percentages, are permitted for Soave Superiore DOCG?
Minimum 70% Garganega
The remaining 30% can be from Trebbiano di Soave (Verdicchio) or Chardonnay
What is the maximum yield for Soave Superiore DOCG?
When is the earliest that Soave Superiore DOCG wines can be sold?
70hl/ha
September the year following harvest
Where can grapes be sourced from for Recioto di Soave DOCG?
From a delimited hilly zone. This is the same area as is permitted for Soave Superiore DOCG
Give a typical tasting note for a Recioto di Soave DOCG wine
Made from semi dried grapes
Honeyed, rich, floral
Sweet
Balancing high acidity
What is the maximum yield for Recioto di Soave DOCG ?
36hl/ha
What grapes, and at what percentages, are permitted for Recioto di Soave DOCG ?
Minimum 70% Garganega
The remaining 30% can be from Trebbiano di Soave (Verdicchio) or Chardonnay
What size is the average vineyard holding in Soave?
2ha
What percentage of wine is produced by family wineries?
10%
What is the name of the biggest co-operative in Soave?
What percentage of total Soave production is bottle by this co-op
Cantina di Soave
50%
What percentage of Soave wine is exported?
What are the two main export markets?
80%
Germany and the UK
Explain how plantings of Garganega and Pinot Grigio have changed since the 60s and 70s in Soave
Garganega was highly planted in the 60s and 70s when Soave was in fashion, but many low quality plantings are being replaced with Pinot Grigio due to increasing demand
In an effort to reposition Soave as a higher quality wine, what steps are being taken by the Soave Consorzio?
They are classifying single vineyards across the region. The top vineyards are on hilly sites, with most found in the Classico region
Where is the Valpolicella region?
North of Verona, in the wider Veneto region
Describe the growing conditions in the north of the Valpolicella region
Vineyards are in the foothills of the mountains
Limestone and clay, or volcanic soils
Cooler soils slow ripening
Produce wines of greater concentration with higher acidity
Describe the growing conditions in the south of the Valpolicella region
Vineyards are on flat soils
Gravel and sand soils are warm
Fruitier wines with lower acidity and concentration
Give the key characteristics of the Corvina Veronese vine
Thick skins - suitable for drying High yielding and vigorous Mid to late ripening - needs warmth Suited to pergola training Prone to downy mildew Prone to esca Prone to drought
Give a typical tasting note for a Corvina Veronese wine
Violet, red cherry, red plum fruit and herbal aromas
High acidity
Low to medium tannin
Often blended in Valpolicella wines
Give the key characteristics of the Corvinone vine
Big clusters
Un-uniform ripening is a problem
Prone to downy mildew
Give a typical tasting note for a Corvinone wine
Red cherry fruit
High tannin
Often blended in Valpolicella wines
Give the key characteristics of the Rondinella vine
Accumulates sugar fast
Dries well
Good disease resistance
Prone to Esca
Give a typical tasting note for a Rondinella wine
Gives neutral wines with light, simple red fruit
Good for Recioto wines
Give the key characteristics of the Molinara vine
High yielding
Give a typical tasting note for a Molinara wine
Pale colour
Red berry fruit
High acidity
Light body
Important in Bardolino blends
What style of wine would you expect from an inexpensive Valpolicella?
What fermentation temperatures would you expect?
How long a maceration period would you expect?
What vessels would you use to mature inexpensive Valpolicella? How long would you hold it for before release?
Fresh, fruity red wine designed for early consumption
20 to 25 degrees fermentation to retain fresh fruit character
Short maceration (5 to 7 days) for light to medium tannins
Stainless steel or neutral oak barrels for 6 to 8 months
Both Soave and Valpolicella make use of the appassimento method. What is the resulting wine called?
Passito
What is the name of the method used to make Passito wines?
Appassimento
What happens to grapes used in the appassimento method of making wines before crushing and why?
Grapes are picked and semi-dried in aerated lofts for 3 to 4 months
This concentrates flavour, sugar and alcohol
How would high and low volume production of appassimento wines differ in their drying processes?
Low volume:
Bunches are hung up to dry
High volume:
Bunches are laid one bunch deep in well spaced trays to prevent mould growing
Humidity, air flow and temperature are more controlled
In the appassimento method, grapes are dried. What effect will this have on the final wine?
Higher sugar levels Higher potential alcohol Higher acidity More anthocyanins in black grapes Higher tannins More concentrated flavour compounds More glycerol (softer mouth feel)
In all Valpolicella wines, the permitted varietals are the same, as are the permitted percentages. What are they?
Corvina must be 45% to 95% of the blend
Corvinone may be up to 50% of the Corvina element
Rondinella must make up 5 to 30% of the blend
Other varietals, such as Molinara, are permitted
In all Valpolicella wines, what percentage of the blend is made up of Corvina?
Corvina must be 45% to 95% of the blend
Corvinone may be up to 50% of the Corvina element
In all Valpolicella wines, what percentage of the blend is made up of Rondinella?
Rondinella must make up 5 to 30% of the blend
What is the maximum yield for Valpolicella DOC?
84hl/ha (wines can lack concentration)
Give a tasting note for a typical Valpolicella DOC wine
Bright purple tints in youth Medium to medium (+) acidity Low to medium tannin Good quality Inexpensive to mid priced
Describe the key differences between Valpolicella DOC and Valpolicella Classico DOC
Grapes for Classico wines must come from the delimited hilly zone
Classico wines will typically have more concentration
What is the minimum maturation period for Valpolicella Superiore wines?
They must be aged for 1 year from January following the harvest
Give a tasting note for a typical Recioto della Valpolicella DOCG
Pronounced intensity Fresh and dried red fruit flavours Sweet Full-bodied Medium (+) to high tannins Very good to outstanding Premium priced
Describe the key differences between Recioto della Valpolicella DOCG and Recioto della Valpolicella Classico DOCG
Recioto della Valpolicella DOCG grapes can be from anywhere in Valpolicella
Recioto della Valpolicella Classico DOCG grapes must be from the delimited hilly zone
What level of sweetness would you expect for Amarone della Valpollicella DOCG?
Dry or off dry wines
What is the maximum yield for Recioto della Valpolicella DOCG (after drying and pressing)?
48hl/ha
What is the maximum yield for Amarone della Valpollicella DOCG (after drying and pressing)?
48hl/ha
What is the minimum alcohol level for Amarone della Valpollicella DOCG?
14%
Many exceed 15%
Grapes for Amarone della Valpollicella DOCG are dried for how long before vinification?
100 to 120 days
Amarone della Valpollicella DOCG will commonly have how much residual sugar?
5 to 10g/l
What is the minimum ageing requirement for Amarone della Valpollicella DOCG?
Wines must be aged for a minimum of 2 years in large oak casks or barriques
What is the minimum ageing requirement for Amarone della Valpollicella DOCG Riserva?
Wines must be aged for a minimum of 4 years in large oak casks or barriques
Where are grapes for Amarone della Valpollicella DOCG sourced from?
All over Valpolicella
Give a tasting note for a typical Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG
Pronounced intensity Cherry, dried fruit, spice and wood notes High acidity Medium to high tannin Full body High alcohol Dry to off dry
Very good to outstanding
Premium to super premium
Describe how Valpolicella Ripasso DOC wines are made
Unpressed grape skins are taken from the end of fermentation of Amarone or Recioto
These skins have some residual sugar
Newly made Valpolicella wine is added to the skins for a second maceration
Yeasts that have been transferred with the skins ferment the remaining sugar
Grape skins give more tannin, colour and flavour
Up to 15% Amarone wine can be added, adding more colour, flavour and alcohol
Up to how much Amarone wine can be added to Valpolicella Ripasso DOC? What effect would this have?
Up to 15% of the blend can be Amarone wine
This adds colour, flavour and alcohol
What is the minimum ABV for Valpolicella Ripasso DOC?
What is the minimum ABV for Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore DOC?
12.5%
13%
When can Valpolicella Ripasso DOC be released to market?
January two years following the harvest
Give a tasting note for a typical Valpolicella Ripasso DOC
Fresh and stewed red cherries and plums Medium (+) tannins Medium to full body Good to very good Mid to premium price
What is the name of the growers association in Valpolicella?
The Valpolicella Consorzio
How has Amarone’s popularity affected production since the 1990s?
How has Ripasso’s popularity affected production since the 1990s?
How has Valpolicella DOC’s popularity affected production since the 2006?
Amarone production has increased 6 fold to meet demand
Ripasso production has increased 4 fold to meet demand
Regular Valpolicalla production has decreased by 40%
What percentage of Amarone wine is exported?
65%
What are the main export markets for Amarone?
Germany
USA
Switzerland
UK
What is the maximum yield for Pinot Grigio delle Venezie DOC?
126hl/ha
What percentage of Italy’s Pinot Grigio production is from Pinot Grigio delle Venezie DOC?
80%
Give a tasting note for a typical Pinot Grigio delle Venezie DOC
Light to medium intensity Apple and lemon fruit Medium (+) acidity Light to medium body Medium alcohol Good quality Inexpensive to mid price
What style of wines are produced in Bardolino DOC?
Light bodied reds and roses
What is the main grape used in Bardolino blends? What percentage of the blend must be from this grape?
Corvina - must be between 35% and 80% of the blend
What is the minimum alcohol for Bardolino DOC?
What is the minimum alcohol for Bardolino Superiore DOCG?
10.5%
11%
What is the maximum yield for Bardolino DOC?
91hl/ha
What is the name for roses produced in Bardolino?
Chiaretto
Where would you find Bardolino DOC?
Immediately adjacent to Lake Garda
Where would you find Bianco di Custoza DOC?
Between Verona and Lake Garda
Bianco di Custoza DOC is a blend of mostly which grapes?
Trebbiano Toscano
Gargenega
Friulano
Cortese
What style of wine is Bianco di Custoza DOC?
Easy drinking, fresh and lightly aromatic
What is the main grape in Lugana DOC?
Turbiana aka Verdicchio
