Grapes and wines of Northern Italy

Question 1

What is the overall climate of Northern Italy, with associated features

Answer 1

Moderate climate with short, dry summers
Alps shelter vineyards from rain
River Po and Lake Garda (glacial lake) provide moderating influence to inland areas
Areas closer to the sea have higher rainfall, so fungal diseases can be a problem

Question 2

Describe vineyard management of Northern Italy

Answer 2

Pergola training with high yielding vines at low densities: vine canopy trained high with fruit hanging down below a horizontal canopy of leaves
Protects grapes from sunburn
Allows air circulation, minimising risk of rot
Still used where high acidity and low sugar levels are required (sparkling wine), and when wines are made form dried grapes which need to be free from damage and disease

Now VSP with higher density is more commonly used

Question 3

Describe the climate and associated features of Alto Adige

Answer 3

Moderate climate
short, dry summers and low rainfall during growing season
Large diurnal range experienced by vineyards due to altitude, ideal for aromatic whites and elegant and light-bodied reds

Question 4

Describe the vineyard layout of Alto Adige

Answer 4

Planted on terraces on south-east and south-west facing valley sides of River Adige (high altitude)

Question 5

Describe a typical Pinot Grigio from Alto Adige

Answer 5

Dry style
light to medium body
High acidity, citrus and green fruit flavours

Question 6

List the important international grape varieties of Alto Adige

Answer 6

Gewurtzraminer
Chardonnay
Pinot Blanc

Question 7

What local Alto Adige variety dominates red wine production? Describe a typical wine

Answer 7

Schiava

Light fruity wine with low to medium tannins and flavours of raspberries and plums

Question 8

Describe the climate and associated features of Trentino

Answer 8

Dry summers, low rainfall during growing season (like Alto Adige) but experiences a slightly warmer climate (southerly latitude, more vineyards at lower altitudes, mountains to the west shelter from cooling of Lake Garda)

Question 9

Describe the vineyard landscape of Trentino

Answer 9

As Trentino has a wider valley, more vineyards are found at lower altitudes i.e. on valley floor and slopes on both sides of valley, meaning they experience a warmer environment than Alto Adige further north.

Question 10

What are the main white varieties of Trentino?

Answer 10

Chardonnay

Pinot Grigio

Question 11

Describe a typical Trentino white

Answer 11

As grapes come from valley floor, they produce medium-bodied wine with medium acidity and ripe stone fruit flavours
If grown at higher altitude, they resemble Alto Adige styles

Question 12

What are the main red varieties of Trentino?

Answer 12

Merlot
Teroldego

Both grown on mid-slopes and valley floor

Question 13

Describe a typical Teroldego wine from Trentino

Answer 13

Deep colour, medium to high tannin, high acidity, medium to full body, aromas of black fruit
Normally matured in oak, with best examples improving with age

Question 14

What is the typical label for an Alto Adige wine?

Answer 14

Alto Adige DOC

Question 15

What is the typical label for a Trentino wine?

Answer 15

Trentino DOC

Question 16

Describe the climate and associated features of Friuli-Venezia Giulia

Answer 16

Moderate continental, cooled by cold air from the Alps

Southern part is near the Adriatic sea on a flat plain, experiences a warm maritime climate

Question 17

List the most important grape varieties of Friuli-Venezia Giulia

Answer 17

Pinot Grigio
Merlot
Friulano

Question 18

Describe a good Pinot Grigio from Friuli-Venezia Giulia

Answer 18

Very rich
Medium to full-bodied
Juicy peach and tropical fruit flavours

Question 19

Describe Merlot from Friuli-Venezia Giulia

Answer 19

Medium-bodied
Medium acidity
Medium tannins
Ripe red fruit
Hint of spice from oak

Question 20

Describe Friulano from Friuli-Venezia Giulia

Answer 20

Medium to high acidity
Medium body
Aromas of pear, red apples, herbs

Question 21

What labelling is used for wines made in the flat plain? Briefly describe their style

Answer 21

Friuli Grave DOC

White wines, made in simply fruity style

Question 22

What labelling is used for wines made in the hills? Briefly describe their style

Answer 22

Collio DOC
Colli Orientali DOC
Premium and more concentrated white wines, Colli Orientali DOC is also known for reds

Question 23

What is the PDO label for Italian wines?

Answer 23

Denominazione di Origine Protetta (DOP)

Question 24

What is DOC?

Answer 24

Denominazione di Origine Controllata

Wines subject to geographical boundaries and limitations on grape varieties and production methods

Question 25

What is DOCG?

Answer 25

Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita - Meet all DOC requirements - AND must be bottled in area of production - AND subject to a Ministry of Agriculture tasting

Question 26

What is the PGI label for Italian wines?

Answer 26

Indicazione Geografica Protetta (IGP) | Traditionally: Indicazione Geografica Tipica (IGT)

Question 27

What does Classico mean?

Answer 27

The term acknowledges that wines have been made solely from the original classified land (as over time the regions have expanded in size from this land), usually includes the best wines from the area.

Question 28

What does Riserva mean?

Answer 28

Acknowledges wines with higher alcohol AND longer ageing than minima stipulated by appellation laws

Question 29

Describe the overall climate and associated features of Veneto

Answer 29

Warm, moderate rainfall Cooling influences from altitude (Alps in north), i.e. large diurnal temperature range in foothills Breezes from Lake Garda cool western region Flat plains affected by moist air and fog from River Po - more spraying needed to combat disease and rot

Question 30

What are the most important varieties of Veneto?

Answer 30

``` Pinot Grigio Chardonnay Merlot Corvina Garganega Trebbiano Glera ```

Question 31

Describe the style of Veneto IGT

Answer 31

From flat fertile plain i.e. inexpensive and high volume wine Simple and fruity

Question 32

What is the key region for Prosecco DOC in Veneto?

Answer 32

Conegliano-Valdobbiadene DOCG

Question 33

Describe the vineyard layout and soil composition of Soave, and how it affects grape quality

Answer 33

Foothills in the north: limestone and clay with some volcanic rocks - naturally cool + cooling influence of altitudes = slower ripening and grapes with full flavour ripeness yet high acidity, capable of maturation Flat plain in the south: sandy alluvial soils - aid ripening = grapes are fruitier with medium acidity, meant for younger drinking

Question 34

Describe the best known Soave wines

Answer 34

Made from Garganega, possibly with small amounts of other white grape varieties in a blend Medium to high acidity levels, medium body, aromas of pears, red apple stone fruit, sometimes white pepper, rarely new oak flavours/aromas Best examples can age, developing aromas of almonds and honey Recioto di Soave DOCG = sweet white wine via passito method

Question 35

List the key Soave appellations and their vineyard locations

Answer 35

Soave DOC: entire region | Soave Classico DOC: Only from foothills

Question 36

Describe the vineyard layout and soil composition of Valpolicella, and how it affects grape quality

Answer 36

Similar layout to Soave: Foothills in the north: limestone, clay, volcanic soil - cooling influence slows down ripening = grapes with higher acidity Flat plain in the south: gravel and sand - warming influence = fruitier and less acidic grapes

Question 37

What is the main variety of Valpolicella? Describe its characteristics

Answer 37

Corvina | Thin skinned, moderate colour, low to medium tannins, high acidity

Question 38

List the key appellations of Valpolicella and corresponding wine styles

Answer 38

Corvina is main grape, but can be blended with other local varieties to increase colour and tannins Valpolicella DOC Valpolicella Classico DOC Simple and fruity, light tannins, red cherry flavours, rarely oaked, drink immediately Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG - dry or off-dry, full-bodied, high aclohol, medium to high tannins and intensely concentrated red berry and spice flavours. Aged in large oak casks. Recioto della Valpolicella DOCG - sweet, intense red fruit flavours, high alcohol, full body, medium to high tannins Valpolicella Ripasso DOC - medium to full-bodied, medium to high tannins, flavours of stewed red cherries and plums

Question 39

Describe the passito method

Answer 39

Widely used in Veneto, increases structure and flavour concentration (and colour for red wines) Grapes are picked early when they are still high in acidity Dried indoors, concentrating sugars and flavours Fermentation not started until winter In some cases e.g. Recioto della Valpolicella DOCG, the grapes are so sweet that fermentation stops naturally

Question 40

Describe the ripasso method

Answer 40

Uses grapes from a fermenting Amarone della Valpolicella: to make Valpolicella Ripasso DOC - Shortly after fermentation, Amarone is drained off the skins which are NOT pressed - Skins are added to a vat of Valpolicella that has finished fermentation - Yeast are also transferred through the skin transfer, and ferment remaining sugar on Amarone grape skins - Grape skins give more colour, flavour, and tannins to the Valpolicella wine they have been added to

Question 41

Describe the climate and associated features of Piemonte

Answer 41

Mountains to the north provide rain shadow and protect from northern winds Moderate and continental Long, cold winters and summers subject to thunderstorms, hail, fog Some moderating influence from Po river and Lake Maggiore

Question 42

Describe the overall vineyard terrain of Northern Italy

Answer 42

Foothills ranging from 150-600m - range of aspects and altitudes = wide variety of wine

Question 43

List the key black grapes of Piemonte

Answer 43

Nebbiolo Barbera Dolcetto

Question 44

List the key white grapes of Piemonte

Answer 44

Cortese | Moscato (Muscat)

Question 45

Is there an IGT for Piemonte?

Answer 45

No, all wines have either DOC or DOCG status

Question 46

Describe the vineyard layout of Barolo

Answer 46

A horse-shoe shaped valley across several villages with steep (300-500m) south-facing slopes

Question 47

Describe Barolo DOCG, give examples

Answer 47

100% Nebbiolo High acidity and tannins, little colour Slow ripening at high altitude, develop perfumed aromas of sour cherries, herbs, sometimes dried flowers Better years produce wines with a full body, high acidity and tannins with the potential to develop in bottle. Barolo DOCG must be aged for three years before release, of which 18 months must be in oak. Traditionally was aged for several years in oak but now better vineyard management techniques and winemaking practices with gentler extraction means wines have smoother and riper tannins and can mature for shorter periods. Can mature in small (some new) oak barrels or larger casks depending on style desired. All Barolo benefit from further bottle ageing which soften tannins further and give wine aromas of truffles tar, leather Typically made from grapes sourced from different villages e.g. Barolo Serralunga d'Alba DOCG Best wines come from cru villages e.g. Barolo Cannubi DOCG

Question 48

What label do Dolcetto and Barbera use?

Answer 48

Alba DOC

Question 49

Describe the vineyard layout of Barbaresco and the effect on grape quality

Answer 49

South-facing slopes at lower altitudes than Barolo (200-400m) Lower altitude and influence from local river = Nebbiolo ripens earlier than Barolo = fruitier and less perfumed with similar tannin and acidity levels which means wines can still age in bottle

Question 50

Describe Barbaresco DOCG with associated appellation rules

Answer 50

Must be aged two years before release with 9 months in oak Usually fewer mentions of village on label as it is a smaller area than Barolo, but higher quality wines are from single cru vineyards Fruitier and less perfumed than Barolo, similar high tannin and acidity, can age in bottle

Question 51

What are the key varieties of Asti and Alba and their associated DOC/DOCGs?

Answer 51

Barbera (Barbera d'Asti DOCG, Barbera d'Alba DOC) Dolcetto (Dolcetto d'Alba DOC) Nebbiolo Moscato (Asti DOCG)

Question 52

Describe the vineyard layout of Gavi and effect on grape quality

Answer 52

Vines grown in hills where altitude and sea breezes result in long, slow ripening of Cortese

Question 53

Describe the key wines of Gavi

Answer 53

Made from Cortese: Gavi DOCG Cortese di Gavi DOCG If the grapes come from the town of Gavi: Gavi di Gavi DOCG Pale and light-bodied, high acidity, aromas and flavours of citrus, green apples, pears. Protective winemaking is typically used i.e. cool fermentation in stainless steel, but some can use old oak vessels for fermentation and lees stirring to add complexity to the wines. Usually ready to drink on release, but better examples can age in bottle.

Question 54

How is Asti DOCG sparkling wine made (varieties and winemaking)? Describe typical style.

Answer 54

``` Uses Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains Asti Method (fermentation of juice in tank with some CO2 initially released, sealed and fermentation interrupted by chilling at around 7%abv & 5-6 atm before filtering off lees and bottling) ``` Sweet, low alcohol, pronounced fruity aroma of peach and grape overlaid with floral notes, no autolytic character. Drink young, does not benefit from ageing.

Question 55

How is Prosecco DOC sparkling wine made (varieties and winemaking)? Describe typical style.

Answer 55

Uses Glera Cartizze and Rive terms indicate wine made from exceptional vineyard site. Tank method (1st fermentation in temp control ss tank, no MLF or oak ageing. 2nd fermentation in sealed tank and filter to remove yeast then bottle) Medium acidity, fresh aromas of green apple and melon. Brut, Extra-Dry, Dry styles, but usually slightly higher residual sugar than Champagne and Cava (from interrupting fermentation by chilling, then filtering). Rarely any autolytic character (some producers may choose to stir lees in tank). Consume young and fresh, do not benefit from ageing.