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CAPS Old World - Weekly Notes > Week 7: Northern Italy > Flashcards

Week 7: Northern Italy Flashcards

1
Q

DOC meaning:

A

Denominazione di Origine Controllata

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2
Q

DOC established in:

A

1963

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3
Q

DOCG established in:

A

1963

Not awarded until 1980 ti Brunello di Montalcino, Barolo and Vino Nobile de Montepulciano

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4
Q

Criticism of Italian wine law system:

A

DOC and DOCG handed out too easily

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5
Q

When were Super Tuscans created:

A

1970’s and 1980’s

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6
Q

Meaning of IGT on Italian wine labels:

A

Indicazione Geografica Tipica

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7
Q

When was IGT created?

A

1992

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8
Q

Why was the IGT category created?

A

Gave winemakers more freedom to create wine under loosened regulalations

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9
Q

Prior to the creation of the IGT label, what label were producers forced to use if the wine did not meet DOC DOCG standards?

A

Vino da Tavola

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10
Q

Piedmont red wines in a nutshell:

A

Finest and most age-worthy reds

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11
Q

Piedmont white wine styles:

A

Everything g

Dry to sweet

Still and sparkling

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12
Q

Piedmont meaning:

A

Foot of the hills

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13
Q

Piedmont geography:

A

Alps to the north, Apennines to the east and Po river cutting through

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14
Q

Where are most grapes grown in Piedmont:

A

Foothills south of the Po

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15
Q
A
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16
Q

Three provinces in Piedmont where grapes are grown:

A

Cuneo
Asti
Alessandria

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17
Q

Piedmont climate:

A

Continental

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18
Q

Why is Piedmont dry and protected?

A

Alps create a “rain shadow”

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19
Q

Why are there many micro-climates in Piedmont?

A

Piedmont has many hills

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20
Q

Piedmont weather hazard:

A

Hail

Cannons used to break up clouds

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21
Q

Piedmont red grapes:

A

Nebbiolo
Barbera
Dolcetto

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22
Q

Physical characteristics of Nebbiolo grapes:

A

Thin skinned

Late ripening

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23
Q

Nebbiolo wine structure:

A

Dried rose petals, tar, truffle, liquorice, dried sour cherry

Dry
Acid: high
Tannin: extreme
Alcohol: elevated

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24
Q

Describe a modern style of Nebbiolo:

A

Aged in smaller barrels so:

Darker fruit
Vanilla
Spice

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25
Q

How long can Nebbiolo be aged for?

A

Decades

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26
Q

Nebbiolo: best examples:

A

Barbaresco and Barolo

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27
Q

What is Piedmont’s most planted grape?

A

Barbera

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28
Q

Barbera wine structure:

A

Black and red fruit driven

Dry
Acid: high
Tannin: diminished
Body: lightest in body of Piedmont’s three red grapes

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29
Q

What is Barbera often aged in?

A

New French oak barrels

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30
Q

Does Barbera age well? When should it be consumed?

A

No. Consume within 5 year of vintage.

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31
Q

Barbera - best examples:

A

Barbera d’Alba
Barbera d’Asti
Barbera del Monferrato

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32
Q

Dolcetto wine structure:

A

Ripe fruit with balsamic notes

Dry
Acid: lower
Tannin: higher than Barbera

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33
Q

Dolcetto meaning:

A

Little sweet one

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34
Q

Dolcetto grape ripening: early or late?

A

Earliest to ripen

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35
Q

Dolcetto’s original purpose:

A

A “breakfast” wine for farmers to increase calories

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36
Q

When is Dolcetto best consumed?

A

Young

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37
Q

What is Dolcetto aged in?

A

SS or briefly in old oak

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38
Q

Dolcetto: best examples:

A

Dogliani
Dolcetto d’Alba
Dolcetto di Diana d’Alba

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39
Q

Piedmont primary white grapes:

A

Arneis
Cortese

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40
Q

Describe Roero Arneis wine:

A

Delicate herbs, slight almond

Dry
Unoaked
Medium body

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41
Q

Describe Cortese:

A

Semi-aromatic

Dry
Unoaked

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42
Q

How many DOC’s and DOCG’s in Piedmont?

A

18 DOCG’s
41 DOC’s

Region with most in Italy

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43
Q

Where are the most prestigious DOCG’s in Piedmont?

A

Barolo
Barbaresco

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44
Q

Barolo / Barbaresco grapes:

A

100% Nebbiolo

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45
Q

Barolo compared to Barbaresco:

A

Typically more powerful and age-worthy

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46
Q

Barbaresco compared to Barolo:

A

Slightly softer, slightly less long-lived

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47
Q

How many communes in Barolo:

A

11

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48
Q

Five main communes in Barolo:

A

Softer:
La Morra
Barolo

More structured:
Serralunga d’Alba
Monforte d’Alba

In Between these 2 extremes:
Castiglione Falleto

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49
Q

Barolo ageing requirements:

A

Barolo (18/38)
18 months in wood
Minimum 38 months

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50
Q

Barolo Riserva ageing requirements

A

Barolo Riserva (18/62)
18 months in wood
Minimum 62 months

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51
Q

Three main communes where Barbaresco is produced?

A

Barbaresco
Nieve
Treiso

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52
Q

Barbaresco ageing requirements:

A

Barbaresco (9, 26)
9 months in wood
Minimum 26 months

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53
Q

Barbaresco Riserva ageing requirements:

A

Barbaresco Riserva (9, 50)
9 months in wood
Minimum 50 months

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54
Q

Where is Roero

A

Lies on the opposite bank of the Tanaro River across from Barolo and Barbaresco

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55
Q

Roero soils:

A

Sandier
Makes for a lighter wine style

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56
Q

Roero reds: minimum Nebbiolo amount?

A

Minimum 95%

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57
Q

Describe a Roero wine: grapes, aroma, oak, structure

A

Arneis grape (95%)

Slightly floral

No oak

Dry

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58
Q

Roero spumante:

A

95% Arneis

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59
Q

Where are Gattinara and Ghemme DOCG’s?

60
Q

Gattarina DOCG nebbiolo content:

61
Q

Ghemme DOCG nebbiolo content:

62
Q

Synonym for Nebbiolo:

63
Q

Gattarina and Ghemme wine style. Lateral for?

A

Lighter in style
Less expensive

Lateral for Barolo

64
Q

What is notable about:
Barbera d’Asti DOCG
Barbera del Monferrato Superiore DOCG

A

Newer, more serious expressions

65
Q

Barbera d’Asti DOCG ageing requirements:

A

Can be released after 4 months of ageing

66
Q

Barbera del Monferrato Superiore DOCG ageing requirements:

A

6 months in wood
14 months total

67
Q

Does modern Barbera typically age in new oak:

68
Q

Cortese di Gavi DOCG: noteworthy fact:

A

First white wine to reach DOCG level

69
Q

Describe a Cortese wine:

A

Dry and mineral

70
Q

Gavi wine styles:

A

Still to sparkling

71
Q

Moscato d’Asti wine style:

A

Semi-sparkling
Sweet

72
Q

Moscato d’Asti wine: maximum abv:

73
Q

Moscato d’Asti maximum pressure:

A

2.5 atmospheres

74
Q

Moscato d’Asti wine production amounts:

A

650,000hL annually

Largest producers of DOCG wine in Italy

75
Q

Moscato d’Asti method of production:

76
Q

Describe an Alto Langhe sparkling DOCG:

A

Traditional method
Pinot Noir and Chardonnay

30 months on lees

77
Q

Alto Langhe Riserva ageing requirements:

A

36 months on lees

78
Q

Valle d’Aosta geography:

A

Smallest, least populated region in Italy

Landlocked and mountainous

79
Q

Valle d’Aosta climate:

A

Continental
Long cold winters
Short hot summers

80
Q

How many DOC’s in Valle d’Aosta

A

Valle d’Aosta is the only DOC
7 subzones

81
Q

Subzones of Valle d’Aosta

A

Nus
Donnas
Enfer d’Arvier
Torrette
Arnad-Monjovet
Blanc de Morgex at de la Salle

82
Q

Where is Liguria:

A

Narrow band of land on the coastline

South of Piedmont

83
Q

Ligurian climate:

A

Mediterranean

84
Q

Ligurian grapes:

A

Vermentino (Pigato)

Rousese (local red grape)

85
Q

Is there red wine production in Lombardy?

A

Yes. Can be ageworthy.

86
Q

Most important DOCG in Lombardy:

A

Franciacorta DOCG

87
Q

Franciacorta DOCG production method:

A

Classico (traditional)

88
Q

Franciacorta DOCG grapes:

A

Chardonnay
Pinot Nero
Pinot Bianco (50% max)

89
Q

Franciacorta DOCG non-vintage ageing requirements:

A

18 months on lees
Released 25 months after harvest

90
Q

Vintage Franciacorta DOCG ageing requirements:

A

37 months on lees but usually much longer

91
Q

Vintage Franciacorta DOCG grape percentages:

A

Only 85% of grapes from that year

92
Q

Vintage Franciacorta Riserva ageing requirements:

A

60 months on lees
Released after 67 months

93
Q

Franciacorta Rosé DOCG grapes:

A

35% Pinot Nero
Produced by blending, not saignée

94
Q

What does Brut Satèn on a bottle of Franciacorta DOCG mean:

A

Only white grapes
Less than 5 units atmospheric pressure

95
Q

Is Franciacorta always dry?

A

No. Can have a variety of sweetness levels (except Brut Satèn)

96
Q

Which region makes the most wine in Italy?

A

Veneto

Mostly inexpensive and commercially produced (Pinot Grigio from broad Po River Valley)

97
Q

Veneto wine styles:

A

Broad range of styles and varieties

98
Q

Veneto’s iconic wines:

A

Prosecco
Soave
Amarone della Valpolicella

99
Q

Veneto climate and geography - give 5 features:

A

Lake Garda (northwest)
Dolomites (northern border)
Po River Valley (flat - good for commercial agriculture)
Adige River
Adriatic Sea (moderating temps)

100
Q

Are there climate variations in the Veneto?

A

Yes.
Continental inland
Mediterranean by the Adriatic
Fog common in lowlands

101
Q

Veneto: major white grapes:

A

Pinot Grigio
Garganega
Trebbiano di Soave
Glera
Chardonnay

102
Q

Describe a Pinot Grigio wine from the Veneto:

A

Delicate florally and high acid

Easy drinking

Large volumes for global production

Defining grape of the Veneto

103
Q

What grape is used to make Soave?

104
Q

Garganega is used to make what wine?

105
Q

Describe the physical characteristics of a Garganega grape:

A

Vigorous, late ripening

106
Q

What happens when Garganega yields are limited?

A

Aromatic expressions
Stone fruit
Higher acid

107
Q

What is Trebbiano di Soave used for in the Veneto:

A

Adds acidity to Garganega blends

108
Q

Synonym for Trebbiano di Soave:

A

Verdicchio

109
Q

Prosecco primary grape:

110
Q

Physical characteristics of the Glera vine:

A

Vigourous

Capable of high yields so good for mass production of Prosecco

111
Q

Is Chardonnay used in the Veneto?

A

Yes. Often blended in both Soave and Prosecco

Rarely used to make single varietal wines in the Veneto

112
Q

Four major Veneto red grapes:

A

Corvina
Corvinone
Rondinella
Molinara
Pinot Nero

113
Q

Corvina grape characteristics:

A

Thick skinned
Small
Resistant to rot and cold but still vigorous

114
Q

Corvinona grape characteristics:

A

Classic blending partner of Corvina
Larger, looser bunches than Corvina
Ripens a bit later than Corvina

115
Q

Rondinella grape characteristics:

A

Only other grape required in Valpolicella
High yielding
Disease resistant

116
Q

Molinara grape characteristics:

A

Third blending partner in Valpolicella
Plantings on decline
Lower pigment
Tendency to oxidation
Adds acidity to blend

117
Q

Why is appasimento used?

A

Alps too far so less rainshadowy = fall rains
Earlier harvest needed
Higher acidity in grapes so best to remove water through drying

118
Q

Where is the best Valpolicella made

A

Best sites closest to Lake Garda

119
Q

Valpolicella wines from best to worst

A

Recite della Valpolicella
Amarone della Valpolicella
Valpolicella Ripasso
Valpolicella Classico Superior
Valpolicella Classico
Valpolicella - cheap and cheerful

120
Q

Describe appassimento:

A

Grapes dried
Lower volume but more concentrated fruit
Fruit shifts to dry / leather
Oak
More glycol = plushness
More RS (6-9g): not enough to be sweet but brings out fruit

121
Q

Amarone pomace limits:

A

For 1000l of pomace, you can make 2000l of Ripasso

122
Q

How long is appassimento?

A

Bunches are air-dried until December 1 (usually more than 3 months)

123
Q

What are appassimento grapes dried in traditionally?

A

Bamboo mats Fruttai in open air huts

Now plastic crates and fans

124
Q

How much of the grape is lost due to appassimento?

A

40%
Higher percentage of sugar and skin-to-juice ratio

125
Q

Why does appassimento wine take longer to ferment?

A

Increased sugar content in dried grapes

126
Q

What is appassimento aged in?

A

Large casks

127
Q

Minimum ageing for appassimento?

A

2 years ageing starting January 1 after the harvest

128
Q

Is Valpolicella bone dry?

129
Q

Amarone sugar and alcohol content:

A

Dense and chewy
Rich and unctuous

130
Q

Amarone maceration times?

A

Usually longer

131
Q

Where is Soave?

A

East of Verona

132
Q

Blending partners of Soave?

A

Trebbiano di Soave
Chardonnay

133
Q

When was the Soave Classico zone defined?

134
Q

When was the Soave zone enlarged?

A

1960’-1970’s due to increased popularity

135
Q

Are VA and Brett more acceptable in Italian wines?

136
Q

What does Vigna mean on an Italian label?

A

Single vineyard

137
Q

What does NGA mean on a bottle of Italian wine

138
Q

List the categories of Prosecco in decreasing importance:

A

Superior di Cartize Rive DOCG
Asolo DOCG / Conegliano Valdobiadene DOCG
Pro di Treviso / Pro di Trieste
Prosecco DOC

139
Q

What does Rive mean on a bottle of Prosecco?

A

Single vineyard

140
Q

What does a Cantina mean on a bottle of wine from Trentino Alto Adige?

141
Q

Trentino Alto Adige Pinot Bianco lateral?

A

Gets treated like a Chardonnay in the best sites

142
Q

Three grapes in Hungarian Tokai?

A

Furmint
Saraga Muskatoly
Hacelevelu

143
Q

What is Tokai aged in?

A

Small barrels called Gonc

144
Q

Tokai: paste of NR grapes from the same vineyard and the same variety added to the wine before fermentation?

CAPS Old World - Weekly Notes (24 decks)

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