Nebbiolo, Barbera, Corvina Flashcards Preview

WSET ® Level 2 Wine > Nebbiolo, Barbera, Corvina > Flashcards

Flashcards in Nebbiolo, Barbera, Corvina Deck (21)
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1
Q

Which mountain range runs along the northern border of Italy, protecting it from very cold, northerly winds?

A

The Alps

2
Q

Which river crosses all of northern Italy, starting in Piedmont and ending in Veneto?

A

Pò River

3
Q

Which region in Italy is famous for the Nebbiolo grape?

A

Piedmont in northwest Italy.

4
Q

Nebbiolo is the only black grape allowed in the wines from which 2 Piedmont DOCGs?

A
  1. Barolo DOCG
  2. Barbaresco DOCG
5
Q

Describe the profile of Nebbiolo.

A
  • Dry
  • Full body
  • High tannin
  • High acid
  • High alcohol
  • Red fruits (red cherry, plum)
  • Gentle florals (rose, violet)
  • Developing aromas include leather, truffles, tar/tobacco
6
Q

Are Barolo DOCG and Barbaresco DOCG always matured in inert vessels like stainless steel or in new and/or used oak?

A

Oak, new and/or used

7
Q

Why are Barolo and Barbaresco wines always matured in oak, whether it’s new or used?

A

Because Nebbiolo’s structure (high tannin, high acidity) makes it well suited for extended aging in wood.

Oak aging softens the tannins and helps the wine harmonize.

8
Q

Which direction do the vineyards of Barolo face?

A

South

9
Q

Which region in Italy has a high density of Barbera plantings?

A

Piedmont in the northwest.

10
Q

Describe the profile of Barbera.

A
  • Dry
  • Low to medium tannin
  • High acid
  • Plush red fruits (cherries, plums)
  • Occasional black pepper
11
Q

What is Barbera’s most famous DOCG?

A

Barbera d’Asti DOCG

12
Q

Name some reasons why a young Barbera is generally more approachable than young Nebbiolo.

A

Barbera displays:

  • Lower tannin
  • More ample, plush fruit
  • Many are unoaked and less complex

This also makes Barbera generally less age-worthy than Nebbiolo.

13
Q

Corvina is the most important black grape in which Italian region?

A

Veneto in the northeast.

14
Q

Describe the profile of Corvina.

A
  • Dry to off-dry, depending on the DOC or DOCG
  • Light body (Valpolicella DOC) to Full body (Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG)
  • Low to medium tannin (can be high tannin for Amarone)
  • High acid
  • Red fruits (cherries, plums, fresh figs)
  • Gentle florals (Hibiscus)
15
Q

Name 4 important DOC/DOCGs in the Veneto whose wines are dominated by the black grape Corvina.

A
  1. Valpolicella DOC
  2. Valpolicella Classico DOC
  3. Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG
  4. Recioto della Valpolicella DOCG
16
Q

Both Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG and Recioto della Valpolicella DOCG are made with what kind of grapes, and which one is always going to be sweet?

A
  • Partially dried grapes
  • Recioto della Valpolicella will always be sweet.
17
Q

Generally, how are appellations that have “Classico” appended to them different from non-Classico appellations (e.g. Soave/Soave Classico, Valpolicella/Valpolicella Classico)?

A

Classicos generally:

  • Will be from smaller, hilly areas
  • Will have more distinctive character, more body, and more complexity
18
Q

What winemaking technique is widely used in the Veneto region?

A

Appassimento

Harvested grapes are dried on mats to concentrate sugars, acid, aroma and flavor characteristics.

19
Q

Name 3 appellations in the Veneto that use the appassimento technique.

A
  1. Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG (grapes only partially dried; dry to off-dry red)
  2. Recioto della Valpolicella DOCG (sweet red)
  3. Recioto di Soave DOCG (sweet white)
20
Q

Describe the profile of Amarone della Valpolicella.

A
  • Dry to off-dry
  • Full body
  • High alcohol (15%+ abv)
  • High tannin
  • High acid
  • Dried fruits (figs, raisins, prunes)
  • Ripe red fruits (cherries)

Amarone shows both ripe and dried fruits because the grapes are only partially dried, not fully dried, prior to fermentation.

21
Q

In which region of Italy are the following appellations found:

  • Barbera d’Asti DOCG
  • Barolo DOCG
  • Barbaresco DOCG
A

Piedmont