Wines

Question 1

Amarone

Answer 1

Notes: Full-bodied, dry and firm, ripe concentrated fruitiness adds sweetness
Grape: Corvina
Region: Veneto
Pairing: Rich, savory foods or flavorful cheeses
Story: Partially dried Corvina Grapes

Question 2

Barbaresco

Answer 2

“Notes: Lighter in body, more drinkable than Barolo
Grape: Nebbiolo
Region: Piedmont
Story: Best when aged 8-15 years”

Question 3

Barbera

Answer 3

“Notes: Dry, light/med bodied, intense berry flavor, high acidity, little tannin
Grape: Barbera
Region: Piedmont (best from Alba or Asti zone)
Pairing: Very versatile”

Question 4

Barolo

Answer 4

“Notes: Dry, full-bodied, strawberries, tar, herbs, and earth; high tannin
Grape: Nebbiolo
Region: Barolo region of Piedmont
Story: Best drunk at 10-20 years of age; 1985-90 are best vintages, in Alps; difficult climate to produce wine in”

Question 5

Brunello di Montalcino

Answer 5

“Notes: Dry and quite tannic
Grape: Sangiovese
Region: Montalcino zone of Tuscany
Story: Best if at least 15 years old”

Question 6

Chianti

Answer 6

“Notes: Very dry, medium-modded, moderately tannic tart-cherry flavor
Grape: Sangiovese
Region: Chianti region of Tuscany
Story: With riserva usually age worthy and more concentrated; All DOCG Chianti Classico wines must features black rooster symbol. (Horse race battle for land between Florence and Siena in the 1400s) - but really good during 1997, 2000, and 2003 during warm years”

Question 7

Lambrusco

Answer 7

“Notes: Sweet, fizzy wine with delicious, grape flavor
Grape: Lambrusco
Region: Emilia-Romagna region
Story: Dry and sparkling styles also exist”

Question 8

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

Answer 8

“Notes: Medium-bodied; red fruits and slightly vegetal
Grape: Montepulciano
Region: Abruzzo
Story: Lighter side are very drinkable; but best are concentrated and denser”

Question 9

Salice Salentino

Answer 9

“Notes: Dry, full-bodied; ripe, plummy, baked fruit, and rich, dense texture
Grape: Negroamaro
Region: Puglia
Pairing: Robust foods”

Question 10

Valpolicella

Answer 10

“Notes: Medium-bodied, dry, lean and moderately tannic; varying intensity of cherry aromas/flavors
Grape: Corvina
Region: Valipolicella area of Veneto”

Question 11

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

Answer 11

“Notes: Medium-bodied, dry and lean; red cherry flavor; similar but fuller than Chianti
Grape: Sangiovese
Region: Montepulciano in Tuscany”

Question 12

Asti

Answer 12

“Notes: Very sweet, low in alcohol, pronounced fruity and floral flavors
Grape: Moscato
Region: Asti in Piedmont region
Story: Better when younger”

Question 13

Frascati

Answer 13

“Notes: Dry/slightly off-dry, light bodied, un-oaked with crisp acidity and “subdued flavor”
Grape: Mainly Trebbiano
Region: Frascati region South of Rome”

Question 14

Gavi

Answer 14

“Notes: Crisp and typically un-oaked (sometimes slightly oaky); notes of honey, apples, and minerals
Grape: Cortese
Region: Gavi area of Piedmont”

Question 15

Orvieto

Answer 15

“Notes: Medium-bodied; dry, crisp, with flavors of pear and apple and pleasantly bitter finish
Grape: Grechetto
Region: Orvieto part of Umbria region”

Question 16

Pinot Grigio

Answer 16

“Notes: Light bodied; dry and crisp; subdued aromas and flavor; no oakiness
Grape: Pinot Gris
Region: Northeastern Italy (best from Collio or Alto-Adige)”

Question 17

Soave

Answer 17

“Notes: Dry, crisp, un-oaked, light/medium bod, subdued flavors of pear, apple or peach.
Grape: Mainly Garganega
Region: Soave zone of Veneto”

Question 18

Verdicchio

Answer 18

“Notes: Dry, medium-bodied, crisp white with mineral flavor and “sea-air freshness”
Grape: Verdicchio
Region: Marche”