Piemonte Flashcards

1
Q

Piemonte is considered one of Italy’s most important wine regions along side what other place?

A

Tuscany

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2
Q

In English, what does Piemonte translate to?

A

“Foot of the Mountain”

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3
Q

Name two mountain ranges that cradle the Piemonte region.

A

Apennies

Alps

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4
Q

What is the major river that runs through the Piemonte region?

A

The Po River

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5
Q

True/False: The alluvial plains created by the Po River are suitable for viticulture.

A

No. The soils are too fertile.

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6
Q

Name the three provinces of Piemonte.

A

Asti
Alessandria
Cuneo

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7
Q

Generally speaking, what are the two “hills” that are most recognized in Piemonte?

A

Monferrato

Langhe

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8
Q

In relation to the Po River, where does most viticulture occur?

A

South of the river

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9
Q

Describe the general soil type found in Piemonte.

A

Thin, calcareous marl and sandstone

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10
Q

What is the general climate type of Piemonte?

A

Continental

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11
Q

Which mountain range is responsible for creating the rain shadow effect in Piemonte?

A

The Alps

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12
Q

In which region is there lore of producers firing cannons in the sky to ward off clouds?

A

Barbaresco

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13
Q

What is the term used for prized souther exposures in Piemonte (particularly Barbaresco)?

A

Sorì

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14
Q

What is the most notable native red grape of Piemonte?

A

Nebbiolo

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15
Q

From where does Nebbiolo take its name?

A

La Nebbia - the fog

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16
Q

Describe the general structure of Nebbiolo.

A

High alcohol, high acid, extreme tannin

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17
Q

A statue from ______ in La Morra threatened extreme physical punishment for uprooting Nebbiolo vines.

A

1431

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18
Q

Name the 3 major red grapes of Piemonte.

A

Nebbiolo
Dolcetto
Barbera

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19
Q

What does “dolcetto” mean in English?

A

Little sweet one

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20
Q

In Dolcetto wines, which is higher, the acid or the tannin?

A

Tannin

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21
Q

Are Dolcetto based wines meant to be drunk young, or with age?

A

Young

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22
Q

What is the most planted red grape in Piemonte?

A

Barbera

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23
Q

Aside from Piemonte’s “Big Three” red grapes, name 6 other red varietals that are indigenous to the region.

A
Brachetto
Gringolino
Ruchè
Croatina
Vespolina
Freisa
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24
Q

What is the most planted white varietal in Piemonte?

A

Moscato Bianco

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25
Q

In France, Moscato Bianco is know as….?

A

Muscat à Petits Grains Blanc

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26
Q

Aside from Moscato, name 4 other white grapes grown in Piemonte.

A

Cortese
Arneis
Erbaluce
Favorita (Vermentino)

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27
Q

True/False: Piemonte is home to more DOC regions than anywhere else in Italy.

A

True

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28
Q

How many DOCG regions are recognized in Piemonte?

A

16

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29
Q

True/False: Over half of Piemonte’s production is DOC quality or better.

A

True

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30
Q

Name the two most prestigious DOCGs of Piemonte.

A

Barolo

Barbaresco

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31
Q

Name the river that runs through Cuneo province.

A

Tanaro River

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32
Q

The Barolo and Barbaresco zones lie within what larger DOC?

A

Langhe DOC

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33
Q

How many communes are authorized for Barolo production?

A

11

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34
Q

Name the 5 major communes for Barolo production.

A
La Morra
Barolo
Serralunga d'Alba
Monforte d'Alba
Castaglione Falletto
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35
Q

What are the two main soil types found in Barolo?

A

Tortonian

Serravallian (Helvetian)

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36
Q

Describe Tortonian soils and its impact on wine.

A

High proportion of calcareous marl

Softer style of wine

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37
Q

In which major communes are Tortonian soils prominently found?

A

La Morra

Barolo

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38
Q

Describe Serravallian soil and its impact on wine.

A

Sandstone

More structure in the wine

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39
Q

In which major communes of Barolo are Serravallian soils prominently found?

A

Serralunga d’Alba

Monforte d’Alba

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40
Q

Today, what is the required elevage for Barolo normale?

A

38 months from November 1 of the harvest year

18 months must be in oak

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41
Q

What is the required elevage for Barolo Riserva?

A

62 months from November 1 of the harvest year

18 months must be in oak

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42
Q

True/False: Historically Barolo producers preferred macerations that could last anywhere 30-50 days.

A

True

43
Q

Name three “traditionalist” producers of Barolo.

A

Giacomo Conterno
Bartolo Mascarello
Giuseppe Rinaldi

44
Q

Describe two chief differences between traditionalist and modernist Barolo producers.

A

Modernists employ shorter macerations and the use of barrique/new oak.

45
Q

Name three “modernist” producers of Barolo.

A

Paolo Scavino
Elio Altare
Luciano Sandrone

46
Q

In which province of Piemonte does all Barolo production occur?

A

Cuneo

47
Q

Which communes authorized for Barolo production lie entirely within the DOCG zone?

A

Barolo
Serralunga d’Alba
Castiglione Falletto

48
Q

The production of Barbaresco is concentrated around what three towns?

A

Barbaresco
Nieve
Trieso

49
Q

True/False: Alba is permitted to make Barbaresco DOCG wine.

A

True

50
Q

Name both a prominent traditionalist and modernist producer.

A

Bruno Giacosa - Traditional

Angelo Gaja - Modern

51
Q

What is Produttori del Barbaresco?

A

A local cooperative that focuses on expressing terroir.

52
Q

The “crus” of Barbaresco are now recognized by what legal term?

A

Menzioni geografiche aggiuntive

53
Q

In what year did MGA become recognized in Barbaresco?

A

2007

54
Q

In what year did MGA become recognized in Barolo?

A

2010

55
Q

What is Chinato?

A

An aromatize wine flavored with quinine.

56
Q

Name the appellation for Chinato, and a producer.

A

Barolo Chinato DOCG

Cappellano

57
Q

In relation to Barolo, where is Roero located?

A

Northwest

On the opposite bank of the Tanaro River

58
Q

What is minimum required percentage of Nebbiolo in red Roero DOCG wines?

A

95%

59
Q

Name the white grape of Roero.

A

Arneis

60
Q

What type of soil characterizes Roero, and how does that translate in the finished wine?

A

Sandy soils

Lighter style of wine

61
Q

Are producers in Roero DOCG more apt to follow traditional or modern winemaking methods?

A

Modern

62
Q

The Gattinara and Ghemme DOCGs straddle what river?

A

Sesia

63
Q

What is the synonym used for Nebbiolo is Gattinara/Ghemme?

A

Spanna

64
Q

True/False: Gattinara and Ghemme DOCGs permit white wines.

A

False.

65
Q

Name two common blending partners for Spanna in Gattinara/Ghemme.

A

Vespolina

Bonarda

66
Q

True/False: The Bonarda found in NW Italy is the same grape found in Argentina.

A

False

67
Q

What are the two clones of Bonarda encounted in Gattinara/Ghemme, and which is found where?

A

Bonarda di Gattinara - Gattinara

Bonarda Novarese - Ghemme

68
Q

Bonarda Novarese is also known by what name?

A

Uva Rara

69
Q

Do Lessona and Sizzano qualify for DOC or DOCG status?

A

DOC

70
Q

Name an appellation on the border with Valle d’Aosta known for fragrant Nebbiolo-based wines.

A

Carema DOC

71
Q

True/False: Modern styles of Barbera often see the use of new oak.

A

True

72
Q

In year were Barbera d’Asti and Barbera del Monferrato Superiore elevated to DOCG status?

A

2008

73
Q

What is the elevage for Barbera d’Asti Normale

A

4 months

74
Q

What is the elevage for Barbera del Monferrato Superiore?

A

14 months, 6 are in cask

75
Q

Name the DOCG appellation for Ruchè based wines.

A

Ruchè di Castagnole Monferrato DOCG

76
Q

What is the newest DOCG, and when was it approved?

A

Nizza DOCG

2014

77
Q

Nizza used to a subzone of what larger appellation?

A

Barbera d’Asti DOCG

78
Q

Wines from Nizza may only be composed of what varietal?

A

Barbera

79
Q

Name 3 DOCG zones for varietal Dolcetto wines.

A

Dogliani
Dolcetto di Ovada Superiore
Dolcetto di Diano d’Alba

80
Q

How many sorì are classified for Dolcetto di Diano d’Alba DOCG?

A

77

81
Q

What was the first still white wine DOCG in Piemonte?

A

Gavi DOCG (Cortese di Gavi)

82
Q

Where is Gavi DOCG located?

A

In the extreme south of Alessandria province.

83
Q

What styles of wine are produced in Gavi DOCG?

A

Tranquilo (still) - dominant

Some spumante, frizzante (rare)

84
Q

Where is Erbaluce di Caluso DOCG in relation to Carema DOC?

A

South

85
Q

What style of wine is most praised from Erbaluce di Caluso DOCG?

A

Passito wines

86
Q

Name the dominant grape varietal in Erbaluce di Caluso DOCG.

A

Erbaluce

87
Q

Briefly describe qualities of the Erbaluce grape.

A

High acid

Herbaceous tone/scent

88
Q

What is the largest DOCG wine producing zone in Italy?

A

Asti DOCG

89
Q

True/False: Asti DOCG production spans all three provinces of Piemonte.

A

True

90
Q

What is the only permitted varietal for Asti DOCG wines?

A

Moscato Bianco

Muscat à Petit Grains Blanc

91
Q

What method of sparkling production is most commonly used for Asti DOCG wines?

A

Charmat Method

92
Q

True/False: Moscato d’Asti is typically a more artisanal product from riper Moscato Bianco grapes.

A

True

93
Q

What is the maximum allowed pressure for Moscato d’Asti wines?

A

2 atmospheres

Raised from 1.7 in 2011

94
Q

Are Moscato d’Asti wines technically frizzante or spumante?

A

Frizzante

95
Q

For what style of Moscato d’Asti is chaptalization forbidden?

A

Late Harvest

“Vendemmia Tardiva”

96
Q

Name a DOCG region in Piemonte that is dedicated to traditional method sparkling wines.

A

Alta Langa DOCG

97
Q

Name the two major varietals used in Alta Langa DOCG production, and what is their minimum percentage of the blend?

A

Chardonnay
Pinot Noir
They must comprise at least 90% of the blend

98
Q

True/False: Alta Langa DOCG wines may be multi-vintage blends, like Champagne.

A

False. All wines must be vintage dated.

99
Q

What is the elevage for Alta Langa DOCG normale wines?

A

30 months, total production process

100
Q

What is the elevage for Alta Langa DOCG riserva wines?

A

36 months (min) total production process

101
Q

Name two notable producers for Alta Langa DOCG wines.

A

Fontanafredda

Enrico Serafino

102
Q

Name an appellation for sparkling red wines from Piemonte.

A

Brachetto d’Acqui DOCG

103
Q

True/False: Dry, still version of Brachetto d’Acqui are produced.

A

True, though they are rare

104
Q

What is the minimum aging requirement for Dogliani, Ovada, and Diano d’Alba Superiore wines?

A

Minimum 1 year