Italy - Northern

Question 1

How many DOCs are there in Italy?

Answer 1

300

Question 2

What does a DOC specify?

Answer 2

Geographic Area
Permitted varietals
Minimum ABV
Production Method
Minimum Aging

Question 3

How many DOCGs are there in Italy?

How many Red/White?

Answer 3

30
Red: 17
White: 13

Question 4

What does a DOCG specify?

Answer 4

Must meed all DOC req’s
Subject to a Ministry of Agriculture tasting
Label has a number seal of approval

Question 5

How are the DOCG models organized?

Answer 5

LOCALE: App. derived by place. ie.- Barolo, Taurasi, Collio
GRAPE + LOCALE: Brunello di Montalcino, Barbera d’Asti
HISTORICAL: origins from Romans/Greeks. ie.- Chianti, Valpolicella

Question 6

What is the French equivalent of IGT

Answer 6

Vin de Pays

Question 7

What, generally, does Classico mean?

Answer 7

Began in the 1950’s and 60’s when demand and plantings starting to grow. Indicates wine from original, better, and generally more hilly part of the appellation near center.

Question 8

What does Riserva indicate?

Answer 8

Requires higher alcohol and longer aging.

Question 9

How does Passito differ in the North and South?

Answer 9

North: Fruttai
South: Straw Mats

Question 10

What does Passito mean?

Answer 10

Wine made from dried grapes. Red and White grapes used, and harvested early in order to retain acidity.
White = Sweet
Red = Dry to Sweet

Question 11

What are the two most well-known DOCGs which use the passion method?

Answer 11

Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG (high alc./body DRY)

Recioto della Valpolicella DOCG (light alc./body)

Question 12

Which region has the largest area under vine in Italy for DOCG/DOC wines?

Answer 12

Piedmont

Question 13

How many appellations are in Piedmont?

Answer 13

50

Question 14

T/F: Piedmont recognizes IGT status.

Answer 14

False

Question 15

What are common viticultural concerns with Nebbiolo?

Answer 15

Yield management
Prone to disease (thin-skinned)
Acid/Tannin management

Question 16

What are the aging requirements for Barolo DOCG; Riserva?

Answer 16

Min. of 38 months for normale (18 months in oak)

Min. of 62 months for riserva (18 months in oak)

Question 17

List the communes/villages of Barolo.

Answer 17

Verduno
La Morra
Barolo
Novello
Grinzane Cavour
Monforte d'Alba
Diano d'Alba
Serralunga d'Alba
Castiglione Falletto
Roddi
Cherasco

Question 18

List the 5 Principal Communes/Villages of Barolo.

Answer 18

La Morra
Barolo
Monforte d'Alba
Serralunga d'Alba
Castiglione Falletto

Question 19

What are the two main soils in Barolo DOCG and how do they differ?

Answer 19

Tortonian: Softer, fruitier, earlier maturation (La Morra, Barolo)
Helvetian: more structured, longer maturation (Monforte, Serralunga)

Castigliano has elements of both as it sits between the divide.

Question 20

List the three communes/villages of Barbaresco.

Answer 20

Neive
Treiso
Barbaresco

Question 21

What are the aging requirements for Barbaresco? Riserva?

Answer 21

26 months (9 in oak) - Normale
50 months (9 in oak) - Riserva

Question 22

Which producer of Barbaresco fame, has started to label his wines Langhe DOC due to the expansion of prized vineyards?

Answer 22

Angelo Gaja

Question 23

What is the main soil type of Roero DOCG?

Answer 23

Sandy

Question 24

What are common flavor characteristics of Barbera?

Answer 24

Sour cherry, savory notes in development.

Question 25

In what type of soils does Barbera do best?

Answer 25

Clay Soils (Barbera d'Asti)

Question 26

Describe Dolcetto.

Answer 26

``` High Tannin Low Acid Best in Youth Rich, Ripe, Plum/Damson Best in Limestone Soil ```

Question 27

What is the varietal for Gavi?

Answer 27

Cortese

Question 28

Describe Gavi.

Answer 28

Light, Fresh, Candied Fruit

Question 29

What are the centers for Vermouth in Piemonte?

Answer 29

Turin, Canelli, and Asti

Question 30

Where is Lombardy located?

Answer 30

East of Northern Piemonte, base of the Alps

Question 31

What are the most well known DOC/Gs in Lombardy?

Answer 31

Valtellina DOC Valtellina Superiore DOCG (less ABV, more acid than Barolo) Sforzato - Amarone style wine Franciacorta DOCG

Question 32

Where is Liguria located?

Answer 32

Below Piemonte, on the coast from the French border to Tuscany.

Question 33

What are the most well known DOC in Liguria and the predominant style of each.

Answer 33

Rossese di Dolceaqua DOC - light red Cinqueterre DOC - white; oldest (Roman) Sciacchetrà - passito

Question 34

Where is Trentino-Alto Adige?

Answer 34

Most northerly region in Italy.

Question 35

What are the predominant red and white varietals for Trentino?

Answer 35

Pinot Grigio | Teroldego

Question 36

What are the main white and red varietals in Alto Adige?

Answer 36

W: P.G., Gewürztraminer, Pinot Bianco, Riesling R: Schiava, Lagrein

Question 37

Where is Friuli Venezia-Giulia?

Answer 37

NE Italy, Austria to the N, Slovenia to the E

Question 38

What are the important Red and White varietals of Friuli?

Answer 38

W: Tocai Friulano, Pinot Gris R: Refosco, Merlot, Cab. Franc, Cab. Sauvignon.

Question 39

What style of wine is Collio known for?

Answer 39

White; high acid and ABV, conc. fruit, oak is freq. used

Question 40

What are the Grapes of Collio?

Answer 40

Rocai Friulano, P. Gris, Malvasia, Ribolla Gialla

Question 41

What is the DOCG for sweet wine in Friuli Venezia-Giulia?

Answer 41

``` Picolit Ramandolo (Verduzzo) ```

Question 42

Near which city are the most dense plantings in Veneto?

Answer 42

Verona

Question 43

What is Italy's largest wine producing region?

Answer 43

Veneto

Question 44

What is the soil of Valpolicella/Superiore?

Answer 44

Limestone and Granite slopes

Question 45

What are the principle grapes of the Veneto?

Answer 45

Corvina (sappy/herbal + black fruit) | Rondinella, Molinara

Question 46

What are the most characteristic flavors of Amarone?

Answer 46

Chocolate, Dark rum, leather, dried fruit

Question 47

What does the recioto process add to the wines?

Answer 47

Alcohol, tannin, complexity

Question 48

What style of wines is Bardolino Chiaretto DOC known for?

Answer 48

Rosés

Question 49

What is the main soil type for Bardolino?

Answer 49

Glacial Moraine

Question 50

What is the main varietal for Soave DOC?

Answer 50

Garganega

Question 51

What is the soil for Soave?

Answer 51

Volcanic (hills) | Basalt (subsoil) adds pronounce Chamomile/Iris flavors