Northern Italy Flashcards
Describe the climate of Northern Italy.
moderate; short, dry summers, Alps shelter the vineyards and provide a rain shadow affect; Lake Garda and River Po moderate
What vine-training method is popular in Northern Italy?
Traditionally the pergola method is used; the canopy protects the grapes from sunburn and increases air circulation. VSP training is now utilized for higher density plantings.
What is Italy’s most northerly region and what grapes and DOCs are associated with it?
Alto Adige, with South-facing terraced vineyards along the River Adige.
Pinot Grigio, Gewurztraminer, Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc and Schiava.
Alto Adige DOC
What are the key differences between Alto Adige and Trentino?
Trentino is slight warmer, due to latitude and influence of Lake Garda; generally flatter, produces fuller bodied, riper Pinot Grigio, also Merlot, Teroldego.
Trentino DOC
Describe the climate, grapes and DOCs of Friuli-Venezia-Giulia.
warm maritime climate moderated by the Adriatic sea;
rich, ripe Pinot Grigio; also Friulano, Merlot
Friuli-Grave DOC (simple wines from the plains)
Friuli-Collio and Collio Orientali (premium wines from foothills)
What wines is the Veneto best known for?
Simple, high-yield Pinot Grigio (also Chardonnay, Merlot, Trebbiano), often released as Veneto IGT
Prosecco DOC
Soave and Soave Classico DOC from Garganega
Valpolicella and Valpolicella Classico DOCG from Corvina and others … also Amarone DOCG, Recioto DOCG and Ripasso DOC
What are the characteristics of Garganega?
apples, pears, stone fruit, almonds, medium plus acidity, medium body, no new oak
What are the characteristics of Corvina?
high acid, low tannin, red cherry flavors
Describe the difference between Amarone, Recioto, and Ripasso from a winemaking perspective?
Amarone wines are made in the passito style (high acid Corvina grapes are dried indoors, concentrating their flavors) and fermented to dryness, resulting in a full body, high alcohol wine with intense red fruit.
Recioto is also made in the passito style, but these grapes are so sweet the yeasts die before fermentation can complete, resulting in a sweet, concentrated high alcohol wine.
Ripasso is made by added the fermented skins of an Amarone to a Valpolicella, adding color, flavor and tannins to the wine.
What is the climate of Piemonte?
Located in northwest Italy between the Alps and the Appenines, this moderate, continental area is known for thunderstorm, hail and fog.
What are the primary grapes of Piemonte?
Nebbiolo, Barbera, Dolcetto, Moscato, Cortese
Also Brachetto, Freisa, Arneis, Erbaluce
What are the ageing requirements for Barolo and Barbaresco?
Barolo 3 years | 5 years Riserva | 18 mo oak
Barbaresco 2 years | 4 years Riserva | 9 mo oak
Both DOCGs much be made 100% from Nebbiolo.
What are the characteristics of Nebbiolo?
light color, high acid and tannin, dried flowers, sour cherries, herbs, leather, tar
What wines are Alba, Asti and Gavi most known for?
Barbera, a grape with medium tannins and high acid, is associated with Asti and Alba
Dolcetto, an early ripening, purple plum flavored wine with medium acid and tannins, is associated with Alba
Cortese, a late-ripening, floral, high acid grape, is associated with Gavi
