Italian Wine Law/Northern Italy Flashcards
(138 cards)
When was the DOC system established and why?
1963 as a means of formalizing and protecting Italian wine appellations.
When was the DOCG system introduced, when was the first awarded and what was it?
1963 1980 Brunello di Montalcino Barolo Vino Nobile de Montepulciano
What is a main difference between DOCs and AOCs?
Many DOCs have minimum aging requirements while AOCs do not.
What was the biggest problem with the DOC system?
Over time, the system became unwieldy and too lenient; yields and geographical restrictions became too generous. Hundreds of DOC zones were established, leading to consumer confusion. Even the DOCG category, which should only include the recognizable benchmarks of Italian wine, was watered down by such unlikely promotions as Romagna Albana.
What did producers do in the 1970’s and 1980’s to get away from the corrupt DOC system?
Use the Vino da Tavola designation
What is Goria’s Law?
This law established the category of Indicazione Geografica Tipica (IGT), a more relaxed regulation, offering winemakers wider freedoms. The first IGTs appeared in 1994. IGT wines are often varietally labeled, and IGT wines range from basic quality to some of Italy’s most sought-after bottles. Today, IGT wines are considered PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) by the European Union, whereas DOC and DOCG wines are considered PDO (Protected Designation of Origin), on par with France’s AOC/AOP. IGT status may be used as a springboard to DOC, and regions recognized as DOC for at least five years may apply for DOCG status.
What is Vino da Tavola called now?
Vino
What does Piedmont mean?
Foot of the Mountain
What mountains cradle Piedmont?
Apennines and Alps
What river flows through Piedmont and where does it start?
Po River, Western Alps
Where does most of the growing occur in Piedmont and why?
Foothills of the Po valley. The river creates a fertile valley that won’t support grapes.
What are the 3 provinces in Piedmont that grow most of the grapes
Asti
Alessandria
Cuneo
What hills within these provinces are good for growing grapes?
Monferatto
Langhe
What is Sori?
South facing exposure in Piedmontese dialect
What are the three major red grapes of Piedmont?
Barbera
Dolcetto
Nebbiolo
Of the three major red grapes what is the earliest to ripen?
Dolcetto
6 Lesser Known Red Grapes of Piedmont
Brachetto Grignolino Ruchè Croatina Vespolina Freisa
16 DOCGs of Piedmont
Alta Langa DOCG Asti DOCG Barbaresco DOCG Barbera d'Asti DOCG Barbera del Monferrato Superiore DOCG Barolo DOCG Brachetto d'Acqui (Acqui) DOCG Dogliani DOCG Dolcetto di Diano d' Alba/Diano d' Alba DOCG Dolcetto di Ovada Superiore (Ovada) DOCG Erbaluce di Caluso/Caluso DOCG Gattinara DOCG Gavi (Cortese di Gavi) DOCG Ghemme DOCG Nizza DOCG Roero DOCG Ruchè di Castagnole Monferrato DOCG
How many DOCs are in Piedmont?
40
What province are Barolo and Barbaresco in?
Cuneo
What river runs through Barolo and Barbaresco?
Tanaro
11 Communes of Barolo
Entirely included in DOCG: Barolo, Castiglione Falletto, Serralunga d’Alba
Partially included in DOCG: Monforte d’Alba, La Morra, Diano d’Alba, Novello, Verduno, Grinzane Cavour, Cherasco, Roddi
90% of Barolo included in these 5 townships
Barolo Castiglione Falletto Serralunga d'Alba Monforte d'Alba La Morra
What is Tortonian Soil?
Tortonian soils contain a higher proportion of calcareous marl