Veneto: Central/Eastern Appellations Flashcards
Name the major wine districts of Central Veneto.
- Gambellara
- Monti Lessini
- Breganze
- Colli Berici
- Colli Euganei
- Bagnoli
Where is Gambellara located?
The Gambellara zone of production abuts Soave’s eastern border and can be seen as a virtual eastward continuation of the Soave district. However, Gambellara lies completely within he province of Vicenza. It surrounds the town of Gambellara and a few other nearby villages.
What style of wine is produced in Gambellara?
White-only, Garganega-based DOC wines.
Gambellara can be considered a twin sister district of Soave.
What is the climate in Gambellara?
Mild, semi-continental; very similar to the conditions found in Soave.
What are the soil types in Gambellara?
Volcanic basalt soils dominate Gambellara; the same as those found in the eastern part of Soave.
Where in Gambellara are vineyards planted?
The winegrowing area comprises mostly hills (corresponding to the historic classico zone).
How does Gambellara compare to Soave?
- The total production of Gambellara is considerably smaller.
- Wines are more consistent because the soil is homogenous (all volconic basalt).
- Fewer producers.
Name the 2 appellations in Gambellara.
- Gambellara DOC
- Recioto di Gambellara DOCG
What varietals are used to produce Gambellara DOC wines?
Dry white wine made from:
* min. 80% Garganega
* optional blending partners: Trebbiano di Soave, Chardonnay, & Pinot Bianco
What are the characteristics of Gambellara DOC wines?
Gambellara wines consistently show Garganega’s typical profile; bright acidity with floral aromas and strong notes of citrus and almond.
Some of these wines represent the purest expression of the Garganega grape.
What styles of wine does Gambellara DOC produce?
- superiore
- classico
- spumante
- passito
Respective production standards must be met.
Which wine district produces the only Vin Santo crafted within Veneto?
Gambellara DOC.
The very rare Gambellara Classico Vin Santo is a sweet and rich passito with very long aging potential.
It is only made in the best years from grapes that have undergone extensive appassimento and are pressed during the Roman Catholic Holy Week which falls sometime in March and/or April.
What is Recioto di Gambellara?
A sweet passito wine made from 100% Garganega grown only in the classico area.
How are Recioto di Gambellara wines traditionally made?
Grape clusters undergo appassimento by hanging to dry on the vertical twines of the picai. During this process, the grapes are often affected by noble rot.
What is picai?
The picai is the traditional method of air-drying grapes in Gambellara.
The clusters are carefully tied with thin twine and hung from roof rafters or other vertical support structures.
Though laborious, this system produces a greater and more efficient degree of evaporation due to the role of gravity and the increased ventilation around the grapes
What style of wine can Recioto di Gambellara be produced in other than as a still wine?
Spumante version can be made.
However, it cannot carry the classico designation.
Where is Monti Lessini located?
This zone of production lies between the very eastern foothills of the Monti Lessini range and the city of Vicenza. The small western tip of this appellation lies within the province of Verona.
What varietal is the Monti Lessini district known for?
Durella, an indigenous white grape notoriously high in acid. It is used to craft steely, mineral wines that are usually sparkling.
In the past, much of the wine was exported to Germany to be used as the base wine for German sparkling wine (Sekt).
How is the district of Monti Lessini topographically shaped?
By a series of ridges and valleys running northwest to southeast.
What are the soil types in Monti Lessini?
Predominantly volcanic.
Where in Monti Lessini are vineyards planted?
Exclusively on hillsides in order to benefit from cooler temperatures and wider diurnal temperature swings.
Name the 2 DOCs within the Monti Lessini district.
- Lessini Durello (or Durello Lessini) DOC
- Monti Lessini DOC
What style of wine is produced by Lessini Durello DOC?
An expressive sparkling white wine with a min. of 85% Durella.
There are 2 versions:
1. spumante: made via the tank-method
2. spumante riserva: made by the traditional method
* min. 36 months sur-lie aging
What style of wine is produced by Monti Lessini DOC?
A range of wines fall under this DOC:
* single-varietal Durella (labeled Monti Lessini Durello DOC)
* Chardonnay-based blend
* varietal Pinot Nero
* passito version of Durello