Italy Flashcards

1
Q

What does DOP/DOC mean and where is it used?

A

Italy - Denominazione di Origine Protetta

Or DOC Denominazione di Origine Controllata

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2
Q

What does DOCG mean and where is it used?

A

Italy - Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita

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3
Q

What is the difference between DOC and DOCG in Italy?

A

DOC = wines are subject to geographical boundaries + limitations on GV and production methods

DOCG = DOC + wines must be bottled within the region + tasting by Ministry of Agriculture

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4
Q

What does the term Classico mean in Italy?

A

Designate wines made solely from grapes grown in the original classified land

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5
Q

What does the term Riserva mean in Italy?

A

Wines with higher alcohol levels and longer ageing than the minimum stipulated by the appellation

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6
Q

What does IGP/IGT mean in Italy?

A

Indicazione Geografica Protetta (IGP)
Indicazione Geografica Tipica (IGT)

Same thing

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7
Q

What are the main wine producing regions in Northern Italy?

A
  1. Alto Adige
  2. Trentino
  3. Friuli-Venezia Giulia
  4. Veneto
  5. Piemonte
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8
Q

Where are the vineyards regions of Northern Italy located?

A

Foothills of the Alps and on the plain of the river Po

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9
Q

What is the climate in Northern Italy?

A

Moderate climate with short, dry summers

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10
Q

What are the moderating influences in Northern Italy?

A
  1. Alps - barrier sheltering the vineyards from the rain

2. Local rivers (Po) and glacial lakes (Lake Garda) = moderating influence to areas inland

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11
Q

What is a threat for the vineyard in Northern Italy?

A

Areas close to the sea might have a high level of rainfall = fungal diseases can be a problem

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12
Q

What was the trellising system traditionnaly used in Northern Italy and why was it used?

A

Pergola = trained high with fruit hanging below a horizontal canopy of leaves

Protects from sunburn + allows air to circulate and minimizes the risk of rot

Still used when high levels of acidity and low sugar are needed (for sparkling wines for example) + when the grapes need to be dried (they need to be free from diseases)

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13
Q

What does the pergola training help to achieve in wines in Northern Italy?

A

Still used when high levels of acidity and low sugar are needed (for sparkling wines for example) + when the grapes need to be dried (they need to be free from diseases)

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14
Q

What is the most common training system in northern Italy?

A

Higher density plantings using VSP training are now more common

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15
Q

What is Italy’s most northerly wine region?

A

Alto Adige

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16
Q

What is the climate in Alto Adige?

A

Moderate climate, with short dry summers and low rainfall during the growing season

Large diurnal range thanks to the altitude = grapes are ideal for the production of aromatic whites and elegant light bodied reds

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17
Q

What impact does the large diurnal range have in Alto Adige?

A

Large diurnal range thanks to the altitude = grapes are ideal for the production of aromatic whites and elegant light bodied reds

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18
Q

What is the most used GV in Alto Adige?

A

Pinot Grigio

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19
Q

Describe a Pinot Grigio from Alto Adige

A

Dry style, light to medium body, high acidity

Citrus + green fruit flavors

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20
Q

What is the main appellation in Alto Adige?

A

Alto Adige AOC

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21
Q

What is the difference between Alto Adige and Trentino?

A

Trentino is directly south of Alto Adige

The valley is wider here and vines are planted on the valley floor and the slopes on both sides of the valley

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22
Q

What is the climate in Trentino?

A

Similar to Alto Adige

Dry summers and low rainfall during the growing season, but overall slightly warmer, since Trentino has a more southerly atitude

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23
Q

Why is the climate in Trentino overall warmer than in Alto Adige?

A
  1. Southern Latitude
  2. More vineyards are lower altitudes
  3. Mountains to the west side of the valley are sheltering the region from the cooling influence from Lake Garda
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24
Q

What are the main GV in Trentino?

A

PINOT GRIGIO and Chardonnay

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25
Q

Describe a white wine from Trentino

  1. from the valley floor
  2. from higher altitudes
A
  1. Medium bodied, medium acidity, ripe stone fruit

2. More similar to the ones in Alto Adige

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26
Q

What is the appellation in Trentino?

A

Trentino DOC

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27
Q

What are the 2 main advantages of using Pergola training?

A
  • Protects from sunburn

- Better air circulation

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28
Q

What is a moderating influence in Friuli-Venezia Giulia?

A

Cooled by air from the mountains

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28
Q

What is a moderating influence in Friuli-Venezia Giulia?

A

Cooled by air from the mountains

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29
Q

What are the 2 main climate in Friuli-Venezia Giulia?

A

North = Foothills of the Alps = moderate continental

In the south = warm maritime climate

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30
Q

What is the main GV in Friuli-Venezia Giulia?

A

Pinot Grigio

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31
Q

Describe the style of Pinot Grigio from Alto-Adige, Trentino and Friuli Venezia-Giulia

A
  • Dry in style
  • Clonal selection are the same as in Germany and Alsace
  • Typically made in stainless steel and concrete
  • Some MLF. lees and oak in premium examples
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32
Q

What are the 3 appellations in Friuli Venezia-Giulia?

A

Collio Orientali DOC
Collio DOC
Friuli Grave DOC

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33
Q

What are the 2 premium appellations in Friuli Venezia Giulia?

A

Collio Orientali DOC

Collio DOC

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34
Q

Where can we find the fuller bodied Pinot Grigio in Italy?

A

Friuli Venezia Giulia

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35
Q

What are the western/eastern and northern/southern limits of Veneto?

A

West: Lake Garda
East: Venice
North: foothills of the Alps
South: plains of the river Po

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36
Q

What is the climate in Veneto?

A

Warm continental climate

37
Q

What are the moderating influences in Veneto?

A

Cooling breezes from Lake Garda in the west
Cooling influence from altitude (=large diurnal range) in the North
Moist air and fog from the Po river in the south (risk of disease and rot)

38
Q

What is the main appellation in Veneto?

A

Veneto IGP

39
Q

What type of wines are usually produced in Veneto IGT?

A

High-volume, inexpensive, simple and fruity wines from international GV

Usually Pinot Grigio

40
Q

What are the characteristics of a Pinot Grigio from Veneto?

A
  • early harvested
  • high yielding = neutral wines
  • dry in style
41
Q

What are the 2 distinct areas in Soave?

A

Foothills

Flat plains

42
Q

What are the soils of the foothills areas in Soave? What is their influence on the grapegrowing and on the wines?

A

Limestone, clay, volcanic rocks

Naturally cool soils + altitude = slow ripening = grapes with full flavor ripeness but also high acidity

Wines can age

43
Q

What are the soils in the plain areas in Soave? What is their influence on grapegrowing and on the wines?

A

Sandy, alluvial soils

Aid ripening so the grapes are fruitier with medium acidity
Wines are meant to be drunk young

44
Q

What are the 2 main appellations in Soave?

A
Soave DOC (plains)
Soave Classico DOC (foothills)
45
Q

What is the main GV in Soave DOC and Soave Classico DOC?

A

Garganega (white)

46
Q

Describe a Garganega from Soave?

A

Medium to high acidity
Medium body
Pears, red apple, stone fruit and white pepper

NO oak typically

Best examples can age

47
Q

What is the main GV in Valpolicella?

A

Corvina

48
Q

What are the 5 appellations in Valpolicella?

A
Valpolicella DOC
Valpolicella Classico DOC
Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG
Reciotio della Valpolicella DOCG
Valpolicella Ripasso DOC
49
Q

What is the difference between Valpolicella DOC and Valpolicella Classico DOC?

A

Valpolicella DOC = made from grapes from the entire region

Valpolicella Classico DOC = made from grapes from the foothills

50
Q

Describe a Valpolicella DOC and Valpolicella Classico DOC

A

Fruity, simple, with light tannins and red cherry flavors

Rarely oaked, made to be drunk immediately

51
Q

What are the main characteristics of Corvina?

A

thin skinned, moderate color, low to medium tannins, high acidity

52
Q

Where is Corvina used?

A

Valpolicella

53
Q

Where is Garganega used?

A

Soave

54
Q

What are the 2 specifics winemaking methods used in some Valpolicella appellations?

A

Passito method

Ripasso method

55
Q

Where is the Passito method used?

A

Amarone della Valpolicella DOC

Recioto delle Valpolicella DOCG

56
Q

Where is the Ripasso method used?

A

Valpolicella Ripasso DOC

57
Q

Describe the Ripasso method

A

Uses grape skins from a fermenting Amarone della Valpolicella

- shortly before the fermentation finishes, the Amarone is drained off the skins
- skins remain unpressed and are added to a vat of Valpolicella that has finished fermentation
- yeast is transferred along and ferments remaining sugar on the amarone grape skins

This gives more color, flavors and tannins to the wine

58
Q

Describe the passito method

A

Passito method:

- increases structure, flavor concentration and color
- Grapes are picked early when still high in acidity and dried indoors (concentrates sugars and flavors)
- Fermentation starts in winter
59
Q

Describe an Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG

A
Dry of off-dry
Full-bodied with high alcohol
Medium to high tannins
Very concentrated red berries and spice
Usually aged in large oak barrels
60
Q

Describe a Recioto della Valpolicella DOCG

A
Grapes are so sweet that the fermentation stops naturally
Sweet wines
Full-bodied and high alcohol 
Medium to high tannins
Intense red fruit
61
Q

Describe a Valpolicella Ripasso DOC

A

Medium to full-bodied
Medium to high tannins
Stewed red cherries and plums

62
Q

What is the climate in Piemonte?

A

Moderate continental climate

63
Q

What are the moderating influences in the north of Piemonte?

A

Mountains
rain shadow protecting the region from wind and precipitations

Lake Maggiore
Moderates the northern part of Piemonte

64
Q

What is the moderating influence in the south of Piemonte?

A

Po River

Moderates the southern part of Piemonte

65
Q

What are the main challenges in Piemonte?

A

Summer conditions

Region can be subject to hail, fog and thunderstorms

66
Q

What is the range of altitude in Piemonte?

A

Ranging from 150 to 600 meters = different aspects and altitudes for viticulture

67
Q

What are the main black and white GV in Piemonte?

A

White
Cortese and Moscato (Muscat)

Black
Nebbiolo, Barbera and Dolcetto

68
Q

What is the only GV allowed in Barolo DOCG and Barbaresco DOCG?

A

Nebbiolo

69
Q

Where is Nebbiolo used?

A

Piemonte (Barolo and Barbaresco)

70
Q

Describe the region of Barolo DOCG

A

Horseshoe-shaped valley

Steep south-facing slopes (300-500 metres)

71
Q

What are the characteristics of Nebbiolo?

A

high acidity and tannins but little color

72
Q

What is the impact of altitude on the wine in Barolo DOCG?

A

Slow ripening thanks to altitude = flavors and aromas of sour cherries, herbs and dried flowers

Best years: full-bodied with high acidity and tannins + can develop in the bottle

73
Q

What are the aging conditions in Barolo DOCG?

A

Total aging: 3 years (36 months)

Oak aging: 18 months = half (either small oak barrels or larger casks)

74
Q

What are the aging conditions in Barbaresco DOCG?

A

Total aging: 2 years = 24 months

Oak aging: 9 months

75
Q

Describe the vineyards in Barbaresco DOCG compared to Barolo DOCG

A

South-facing slopes at lower altitude (200-400m)

Lower altitude + local river = Grapes ripen earlier than in Barolo

76
Q

Describe a Barbaresco DOCG wine compared to Barolo DOCG

A

Nebbiolo GV

Fruitier and less perfumed as in Barolo, but similar acidity and tannin levels (able to age in bottles)

77
Q

What are the most planted GV in Asti and Alba?

A

Barbera (black)

Dolcetto (black)

78
Q

What are the characteristics of Barbera?

A

Black GV

Late ripening grape, medium to deep color, low to medium tannins and high acidity + red cherries and plums + black pepper

79
Q

What are the characteristics of Dolcetto ?

A

Black GV

Earlier ripening than Nebbiolo and Barbera, can be planted in cooler sites
Deep, often purple color with medium to high tannins and medium acidity + black plums, red cherries and dried herbs

80
Q

In which appellations in Barbera used?

A

Barbera d’Alba DOC

Barbera d’Asti DOCG (higher quality)

81
Q

In which appellation is Dolcetto used?

A

Dolcetto d’Alba

82
Q

What is the grape variety in Gavi?

A

Cortese (white)

83
Q

What are the moderating influences in Gavi?

A

Altitude + Sea breeze

Long, slow ripening of the grapes

84
Q

What is the typical winemaking like in Gavi?

A

Protective winemaking = norm

- Cool fermentation in stainless steel 
- Old oak vessels can be used for fermentation + lees stirring to add complexity

Most of the wine is made to be drunk young but best examples can age in the bottle for years

85
Q

What are the characteristics of Cortese? What type of wine is produced with it?

A

White GV

Slow, long ripening - retains high acidity and floral character

Pale and light-bodied, high acidity and aromas, citrus + green apples + pears

86
Q

What is the most important wine producing region in Central Italy?

A

Tuscany

87
Q

What is the most important GV in Tuscany?

A

Sangiovese

88
Q

What are the characteristics of Sangiovese (grape growing and winemaking)?

A

Wines with high acidity and tannins,

needs a warm climate (late-ripening)

Red cherries, plums + dried herbs

Usually aged in oak to soften the tannins + add spicy notes (both small and large oak casks)

Develops meaty and gamey aromas with bottle age

89
Q

Where is Chianti located?

A

Foothills of the Apennines mountains - Tuscany

90
Q

What is the main GV used in Chianti?

A

Sangiovese

91
Q

What is the difference between Chianti DOCG and Chianti Classico DOCG?

A

Chianti DOCG

- Used by producer of large volumes, source from the greater region
- Subzones are possible for higher quality Chianti

Chianti Classico DOCG

- Not a subzone of Chianti DOCG
- Higher vinyards  = slower ripening of Sangiovese = greater acidity + more herbal aromas