WINES OF THE WORLD ๐ฎ๐น Italy - Northeast Flashcards
Climate of Trentino
Moderate continental, with cooling influence. Protection from cold winds by the mountains. Moderating influence by the Lake Garda. High diurnal range allows the retaining of high acidity and prolongs the growing season.
Type of soils in Trentino
Sandy and gravelly soils in the N, rich calcareous/clay and basalt in the SE.
Main grape varieties of Trentino
75% whites, 25% blacks. Larger volumes by Pinot Grigio and Chardonnay. Other internationals are Mรผller-Thurgau, Pinot Bianco, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Gewurztraminer, Merlot, Cabernets, and Pinot Noir. Important locals are Teroldego, Marzemino, and Lagrein.
Key winemaking operations for white wines in Trentino
Soft pressing, low temperature (12-16ยฐC) fermentation in stainless steel.
Key winemaking operations for red wines in Trentino
1) Medium maceration on the skins during fermentation, moderate temperatures (17-20ยฐC).
2) Additional maceration on the skins after fermentation, higher (26-32ยฐC) temperatures.
Key maturation practices for white wines in Trentino
Possibility of ageing on the lees, or in small oak barrels.
Key maturation practices for red wines in Trentino
1) Inert vessels.
2) Small oak barrels.
Types of wines labelled as Trentino DOC
- Bianco, 80+% Chardonnay and/or Pinot Bianco;
- Rosso, single variety or blends of Cabernets, Carmenรจre and Merlot;
- single variety wines, 85+% named variety;
- two variety blends from shorter lists of varieties;
- Rosรฉ (Rosato or Kretzer).
Legislation for single-variety wines as Trentino DOC
Trentino DOC allows ten white and nine black varieties to be bottled as a single variety.
Types of wines made in Trentino
Mainly whites (unoaked, fresh, Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay and Mรผller-Thurgau), some reds (Teroldego, Merlot, Marzemino). High % bottled as DOC.
Climate of Alto Adige
Mild Alpine continental. Protection from cold winds by the mountains. Sufficient rainfall (can happen during harvest). Very good ripening and high acidity due to warm air in the valleys, 300 days of sunshine and high diurnal range.
Type of soils in Alto Adige
Volcanic porphyry, quartz and mica rock and Dolomitic limestone.
Main grape varieties of Alto Adige
Schiava (four varieties), Pinot Grigio, Gewรผrztraminer, Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay, Lagrein, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc.
Main training systems in Alto Adige
Pergola and Guyot.
Key winemaking operations for wines in
Fermentation at low/moderate temperatures (12-15ยฐC), selected yeasts.
Key maturation practices for wines in
Stainless steel. 4-6 months for inexpensive, one year for premium wines. Top wines in French barriques.
Bassa Atesina
S of Bolzano, warmer climate, all main varieties except Schiava, Mรผller Thurgau at high altitude.
Oltradige
Lake Caldaro for Schiava. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon in the valleys. Whites at higher altitudes.
Types of wines labelled as Alto Adige DOC
- Bianco, 75+% Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco or Pinot Grigio, 2 varieties (max 70% single in the blend);
- single variety wines, 85+% named variety;
- two variety blends, 15+% of each.
Six subzones can appear in conjunction with Alto Adige DOC.
Santa Maddalena DOC
Schiava + max 15% Lagrein (deeper colour and fuller bodied).
Types of businesses that operate in Trentino
80% production by co-operatives (Cavit). 10% small estates. Avg holdings of 1.2 for small growers.
Types of businesses that operate in Alto Adige
Avg holdings of 1 for growers. 70% co-operatives (Kaltern, Tramin). Private estates (Alois Lageder, Elena Walch) have limited ha of vineyards (mid/premium wines).
Types of wines made in Alto Adige
60% whites and 40% reds. Pale red Schiava, mostly international varieties Pinot Grigio, Gewรผrztraminer, Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc.
Type of soils in Friuli
Alluvial flat plain in the S. Hillside vineyards at 200 m have marl (ponca) and sandstone.
Climate of Friuli
Warm maritime, cooler influence from the Alps. High rainfall.
Main grape varieties of Friuli
25% Pinot Grigio. Local varieties (Ribolla Gialla, Malvasia di Istria, Verduzzo and Picolit), common varieties with Austria/Middle Europe (Riesling, Welschriesling, Gewรผrztraminer, Mรผller-Thurgau, Blaufrรขnkisch), French varieties (Merlot, Sauvignonasse, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernets, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Noir, Carmenรจre).
Key winemaking operations for orange wines in Friuli
From long maceration on the skins of white varieties, then long ageing in large oak barrels. Joลกko Gravner, Stanko Radikon and Dario Prinฤiฤ as pioneers, sharing a commitment:
- organic agriculture;
- local varieties alongside internationals;
- long maceration on the skins;
- fermentation with ambient yeasts and no temperature control;
- long maturation in large barrels;
- no fining or filtration;
- low or no added SO2.
Style for orange wines in Friuli
Amber/orange/gold colour, pron int of dried fruits, dried herbs, hay and nuts, med tannin.
Main appellations within Friuli
- Grave del Friuli DOC
- Friuli Isonzo DOC
- Collio DOC and Colli Orientali del Friuli DOC
- Colli Orientali del Friuli Picolit DOCG
- Ramandolo DOCG
- Friuli DOC
- Pinot Grigio delle Venezie DOC
Grave del Friuli DOC
One of the appellations of Friuli. Mostly volume wines.
Friuli Isonzo DOC
One of the appellations of Friuli. Best quality from sites on the right bank of the river Isonzo.
Collio DOC and Colli Orientali del Friuli DOC
Two of the appellations of Friuli. Similar characteristics, different political history, mainly single-variety whites (name for DOC wines), extended to 18 approved varieties.
Colli Orientali del Friuli Picolit DOCG
One of the appellations of Friuli. Sweet, small volume (berry set problem), made from air-fried grapes of Picolit.
Ramandolo DOCG
One of the appellations of Friuli. Sweet, made from air-fried grapes of Verduzzo.
Friuli DOC
One of the appellations of Friuli. New, higher yields.
Types of wines made in Friuli
75% whites. Reds from international varieties. Small amount of sweet wine. Also orange wines.
Type of soils in Veneto
Soils on the plain have high fertility, while those on hillside sites have a better drainage and less fertility.
Climate of Veneto
Warm and moderately continental. Moderate rainfall. Cooling influences from altitude (high diurnal range) and breezes from Lake Garda (in the W part). Moist air in the flat plain.
Hazards in Veneto
Rot, Esca.
Main grape varieties of Veneto
Glera, Pinot Grigio, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Corvina, Garganega, Trebbiano.
Pinot Grigio delle Venezie DOC
Replaced IGP with stricter requirements in 2017. Grapes from Veneto, Friuli and Trentino. This area produces 85% of all Italian-grown Pinot Grigio and 40% of the worldโs Pinot Grigio.
Bardolino DOC and Bardolino Superiore DOCG
Two of the appellations of Veneto. Near Lake Garda, also influence, light bodied reds and rosรฉs. 35-80% Corvina and max 20% of other authorized varieties (max 10% for each variety). Alcohol 10.5+% abv DOC and 11+% DOCG. The rosรฉ is called Chiaretto (light, fresh, red-fruited wine with med salmon colour).
Bianco di Custoza DOC
One of the appellations of Veneto. Between Verona and Lake Garda. Easy-drinking, lightly aromatic, fresh white wines from Trebbiano Toscano, Garganega, Friulano and Cortese. Italian market. The biggest producers are two large co-operatives.
Lugana DOC
One of the appellations of Veneto. S of Lake Garda. Mainly, vineyards in Lombardy but bottled in Veneto. From Turbiana grape. Moderate aromatic with ripe apple, citrus, and hazelnut, lively acidity and a saline finish. Top wines can age in oak.
Veneto IGP
Mainly for simple and fruity wines made from high yields on the plain.
Type of soils in Soave
Foothills to the N with limestone, clay, volcanic rocks, and flat plain to the S on fertile sandy and alluvial soils.
Main grape varieties of Soave
Garganega.
Main training systems in Soave
Pergola and some trellising systems.
Key winemaking operations for wines in Soave
Short cold maceration, cool fermentation. Also appassimento method.
Main appellations within Soave
- Soave DOC
- Soave Classico DOC
- Soave Superiore DOCG
- Recioto di Soave DOCG
Soave DOC
Grapes from the Soave region, 70+% Garganega, max 30% Trebbiano di Soave or Chardonnay, of this 30% max 5% of any authorized variety. High max yields. On the market after 1 December of the harvest year.
Soave Classico DOC
Grapes from the hilly Classico region, same blend as Soave DOC. Slightly lower max yield. On the market on 1 February after harvest.
Recioto di Soave DOCG
Semi-dried grapes from a delimited hilly zone, same blend as Soave DOC. Very low max yields. Rich, floral, honeyed sweet wines with high acidity.
Types of wines made in Soave
80% Soave DOC, 20% Soave Classico DOC. Tiny production of Soave Superiore DOCG.
Types of businesses that operate in Soave
Small growers and large bottlers. 10% is bottled by small family wineries. 50% production by the co-operative Cantina di Soave.
Type of soils in Valpolicella
Foothills in the N with cooler soils of clay and volcanic, while the flatter plain in the S is gravelly, sandy and warmer. Slow ripening and more acidity on the N foothills, more concentration. Fruitier, with less acidity and low concentration in the S.
Main grape varieties of Valpolicella
Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella, Molinara.
Key winemaking operations for inexpensive wines in Valpolicella
Crushing, fermentation at medium temperatures, short maceration, stainless steel or large neutral oak barrels.
Key winemaking operations for appassimento method
Grapes are picked at 11-11.5% potential alcohol and stored in well-aerated drying lofts for 3-4 months. Laid one bunch deep in well-spaced trays to avoid moulds (control on humidity and temperature). They have to reach a semi-dried status before the crushing. Grapes lose around 1/3 of their weight so concentration of flavours, higher alcohol, sugars, acidity, anthocyanins. More glycerol is produced (softer and fuller mouth-feel).
Main appellations within Valpolicella
- Valpolicella DOC
- Valpolicella Classico DOC
- Valpolicella Valpantena DOC
- Valpolicella (or Classico or Valpantena) Superiore DOC
- Recioto della Valpolicella DOCG
- Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG
- Valpolicella Ripasso DOC
Valpolicella DOC
Low flavour concentration. Short maceration on the skins.
Valpolicella Classico DOC
Grapes from the hilly classic zone. Greater concentration.
Valpolicella Valpantena DOC
Grapes from Valpantena valley.
Valpolicella (or Classico or Valpantena) Superiore DOC
Additional term, higher alcohol, longer ageing (one year after 1 January after the harvest). Quintarelli and Romano dal Forno as significant producers but not representative of this category.
Recioto della Valpolicella DOCG
From semi-dried grapes. Classico if grapes from the classic zone. Grapes are dried for 100-120 days, so low final yield.
Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG
From semi-dried grapes as Recioto, same final yield. Vinification after 100-120 days of drying. Alcohol 14+% abv, often sugar 5-9 g/L (9 g/L is the max), ageing 2+ years in large casks or barriques (Riserva 4 years).
Valpolicella Ripasso DOC
Unpressed grape skins with some residual from Amarone or Recioto, yeasts are also transferred, more colour, flavour and tannins. 15% of Amarone can be added. Alcohol 12.5+% abv or 13+% abv for Superiore. Ageing one year after 1 January after harvest (large oak vessel).
Types of wines made in Valpolicella
Recioto has a niche market. Amarone increased, drop of Valpolicella.
