Nebbiolo, Barbera, Corvina

Question 1

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

Answer 1

The Alps

Question 2

Which region in Italy is famous for the Nebbiolo grape?

Answer 2

Piedmont* in the northwest Italy.

*also spelled Piemonte

Question 3

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

Answer 3

1. Barolo DOCG
2. Barbaresco DOCG

Question 4

Describe the profile of Nebbiolo.

Answer 4

• 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

Question 5

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

Answer 5

Oak, new and/or used

Question 6

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

Answer 6

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.

Question 7

Which direction do the vineyards of Barolo face?

Answer 7

South

Question 8

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

Answer 8

Piedmont in the northwest.

Question 9

Describe the profile of Barbera.

Answer 9

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

Question 10

What is Barbera’s most famous DOCG?

Answer 10

Barbera d’Asti DOCG

Question 11

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

Answer 11

Barbera displays:

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

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

Question 12

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

Answer 12

Veneto in the northeast.

Question 13

Describe the profile of Corvina.

Answer 13

• 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)
• Gentle florals

Question 14

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

Answer 14

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

Question 15

Both Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG and Recioto della Valpolicella DOCG are made with grapes in this condition.

Which wine above is always going to be sweet?

Answer 15

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

Question 16

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

Answer 16

Classicos generally:

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

Question 17

What winemaking technique is widely used in the Veneto region?

Answer 17

Appassimento

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

Question 18

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

Answer 18

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)

Question 19

Describe the profile of Amarone della Valpolicella.

Answer 19

• 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.

Question 20

In which region of Italy are the following appellations found:

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

Answer 20

Piedmont