Northern Italy Flashcards
(174 cards)
1
Q
When was the DOC system created in Italy?
A
1963
2
Q
When was the DOCG system introduced and when was the first DOCG awarded. To where?
A
Introduced 1963. Awarded (upgraded from DOC status) in 1980 to Brunello di Montalcino, Barolo, Vino Noble di Montepulciano
3
Q
The DOC systems is based on the French AOC system. What is a notable difference of DOCG’s vs the AOC system
A
Most DOCG’s (and many DOC’s) have aging requirements
4
Q
What DOCG upgrade drew criticism for the system?
A
Romagna Albana DOCG (not remarkable wine)
5
Q
What geographical indication can Vino di Tavola carry?
A
Italy (only Italy, nothing further)
6
Q
When Super Tuscans Sassicaia and Tignanello got their start, what designation were there wines labeled as?
A
Vino de Tavola
7
Q
Once a region is a DOC, how long do they have to wait to be considered for DOCG status?
A
5 years
8
Q
What’s an IGT?
A
A stepping stone to DOC, considered protected geographical indications (PGI) by the EU
9
Q
From 2009 - 2011 the DOCG count went from 50 to 73. What was the reason for this?
A
The EU common market organization that has final approval over DOC/DOCG status’ transferred from Rome to Brussels
10
Q
What was the effect of Goria’s Law (1992)
A
IGT created
11
Q
When did the first IGT appear?
A
1994
12
Q
What are the two primary mountain ranges in Italy
A
The Apennines and the Alps
13
Q
What does Piedmont translate to?
A
The foot of the mountain
14
Q
What river flows through Piedmont?
A
Po River
15
Q
What mountains cradle Piedmont?
A
Apeninnes to the east and Alps to the north
16
Q
What three provinces are the majority of Piedmonts vineyards located in?
A
Asti, Alessandria, Cuneo
17
Q
What two hills within Asti, Alessandria and Cuneo are peppered with vineyards?
A
Langhe and Monferrato
18
Q
What mountain range provides a rain shadow effect in Piedmont?
A
The Alps
19
Q
What soils are found in Piedmont?
A
Calcareous marl and sandstone with varying amounts of clay
20
Q
What is a climactic worry in the vineyards of the Langhe hills?
A
Hail in the fall
21
Q
What is Piedmonts climate?
A
Continental
22
Q
What are sori?
A
In the Langhe and Monferrato hills sori are southern exposure vineyards and are highly prized. Home to Nebbiolo
23
Q
What are the three major red grapes of Piedmont?
A
Nebbiolo, Barbera, Dolcetto
24
Q
Are the three major red grapes of Piedmont early or late ripening.
A
Late
25
What is Piedmonts most planted red grape?
Barbera
26
Name three indigenous grapes of Piedmont
Brachetto, Grignolino, Ruchè, Croatina, Vespolina, and Freisa
27
What is a synonym for Moscato Bianco
Muscat a petit grains
28
What is the most planted white grape in Piedmont?
Moscato Bianco
29
What are other white varietals planted in Piedmont?
Cortese, Arneis, Erbaluce and Favorita (Vermentino)
30
What province are Barolo and Barbaresco located in?
Cuneo province
31
What river is Barolo and Barbaresco planted along?
Tanaro River
32
What are classic descriptors of Barolo and Barbaresco
Tar, truffle, rose petal and dried fruit
33
What are the 5 Barolo DOCG communes that demarcate 90% of the DOCG?
La Morra, Barolo, Serralungha d'Alba, Monfrote d'Alba, Castiglione Falletto
34
What soil characterizes the vineyards of La Morra and Barolo?
Tortonian - has a high proportion of calcareous marl
35
What soils are more common in Monforte d’Alba and Serralunga d’Alba?
Serravallian (Helvatian)
36
What are the aging requirements for Barolo?
38 mos total from Nov 1 of harvest, 18 mos in oak
37
What are the aging requirements for Barolo Reserva?
62 mos total from Nov 1 of harvest, 18 mos in oak
38
What producers are examples of "modernist" Barolo makers?
Paolo Scavino, Luciano Sandrone, Elio Altare
39
What producers are examples of "traditionalist" Barolo makers?
Giacomo Conterno, Bartolo Mascarello, Giuseppe Rinaldi
40
What vinifaction processes do "modernist" Barolo makers embrace?
Using barriques, shorter macerations and a rounder style of wine
41
What are the primary differences between Barbaresco and Barolo?
Barbaresco is considered a bit lighter and, perhaps more feminine
42
Where is the production of Barbaresco concentrated?
Barbaresco, Neive, Trieso
43
What are the aging requirements for Barbaresco?
26 mos from Nov 1 of harvest, including 9 mos in cask
44
What are the aging requirements for Barbaresco Riserva?
50 mos from Nov 1 of harvest, including 9 mos in clask
45
Who is Angelo Gaja?
Modernist producer and champion of barbaresco
46
Angelo Gaja, whose Nebbiolo-based wines are often no longer released as Barbaresco DOCG are now released as?
Langhe DOC
47
Who espouses the traditionalist approach in Barbaresco?
Bruno Giacosa
48
Name a "cru" vineyard in Barolo
Cannubi
49
Name a "cru" vineyard in Barbaresco
Rabajà
50
What is Barolo Chianato DOCG?
Aromatized wine flavored with Quinine
51
Who is a go-to producer for Barolo Chianato?
Cappellano
52
Do Barolo and Barbaresco lie on the North or South side of the Tanaro river?
South
53
Gattinarra DOCG and Ghemme DOCG produce what type of wine?
Exclusively Nebbiolo
54
Roero DOCG produces wines from which varietals?
Nebbiolo. Arneis (white)
55
What is a synonym for Spanna?
Nebbiolo
56
In Gattinarra DOCG and Ghemme DOCG what varietals are used for blending with Nebbiolo?
Bonarda and Vespolina
57
Lessona and Sizzano DOC produce?
Nebbiolo based blends
58
Carema DOC produces?
Nebbiolo. ( warmer region, so more fragrant wines)
59
What are the three DOCG's of Barbara?
Barbera d’Asti, Barbera del Monferrato Superiore, Nizza
60
Barbera del Monferrato must be superiore and spends how much time aging?
14 mos total, 6 in cask
61
Ruchè di Castagnole Monferrato DOCG produces what type of wine?
Aromatic red wine from the local Ruche grape
62
What are the three Dolcetto DOCG's?
Dogliani, Dolcetto di Ovada Superiore (Ovada), and Dolcetto di Diano d'Alba (Diano d'Alba)
63
Dolcetto di Diano d'Alba superiore and Dogliani superiore indicates what change from "normale"
Heightened levels of alcohol.
64
What are the minimum aging requirements for Dogliani Superiore, Dolcetto di Ovada Superiore, and Dolcetto di Diano d'Alba Superiore?
1 year aging min
65
What was the first white DOCG in Piedmont?
Gavi DOCG
66
Gavi DOCG produces wines from which grape?
Cortese
67
What style(s) of production are Gavi DOCG wines?
Still, Spumante, or Frizzante
68
Erbaluce di Caluso DOCG produces what type of wines from which grape?
Still, Spumante or Passito from the Erbaluce grape. (Passito style garners most praise)
69
What is the largest DOCG producer in Italy?
Asti DOCG (650,000 hl or more a year)
70
Asti DOCG wines are produced from which grape in which style?
Muscat a petits grains (Moscato Bianco)
| Always Spumante
71
What method is generally used for secondary fermentation in Asti DOCG?
Charmate method
72
Moscato di Asti DOCG is produced using which grapes and in which style?
Moscato Bianco. Frizzante (not fully spumante) Atmosphere's allowed: 2
Low ABV 4.5-6.5%
73
Alta Langha DOCG produces what style of wines from which grapes?
Traditional method sparkling (Spumante) from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay
74
What are the aging requirements for Alta Langha normale and riserva?
```
Normale = 30 mos after harvest
Riserva = 36 mos after harvest
```
75
Brachetto d’Acqui DOCG produces...?
(usually) sweet sparkling red wines
76
What is Italy's smallest and least populous region?
Valle d'Aosta
77
What is the sole DOC zone of Valle d'Aosta
Valle D'Aosta DOC
78
What's the most important region in Lombardy? What do they produce?
Franciacorta DOCG. Traditional method sparkling
79
Still wines by producers of Franciacorta DOCG can be released as...?
Curtefranca DOC or Sebino IGT
80
When did Franciacorta earn it's DOCG?
1995
81
What grapes are permitted in Franciacorta?
Chardonnay, Pinot Nero (Noir), & Pinot Biance (max 50%)
82
What are the aging requirements for non-vintage Franciacorta?
18mos on lees min, may not release until 25 mos after harvest
83
What are the requirements for Franciacorta Satèn?
White grapes only, 5 atmospheres max (so, less than the standard 5-6)
84
What are the requirements for Franciacorta Rose?
25% pinot nero min. Produced by blending rather that saignee method
85
For Vintage Franciacorta, what percentage of grapes need to be harvested in the stated vintage?
85%
86
What are vintage Franciacorta aging requirements?
18 mos on lees min, not to be released until 37 mos after harvest
87
What are the aging requirements for Vintage Riserva Franciacorta?
min 5 years on lees, can be released 67 mos after harvest
88
What sweetness levels can Franciacorta be released at?
All sweetness levels, dependent on dosage amount used
89
What sweetness level is Saten produced at?
Brut
90
Oltrepò Pavese Metodo Classico DOCG produces what type of wine from which grapes?
Traditional method sparkling wine from primarily pinot nero (noir) grapes.
91
What is the minimum pinot nero grapes allowed in Oltrepò Pavese Metodo Classico DOCG?
70% If 85% or higher, can be labeled varietally
92
What is a synonym for Chiavennasca? Where?
Nebbiolo. Valtellina
93
What does Stagafassli indicate?
Valtellina Superiore wines bottled in the neighboring Switzerland
94
What are Valtellina Superiore DOCG's 5 sub zones?
Valgella, Inferno, Grumello, Sassella, and Maroggia
95
What are the aging requirements for Valtellina Superiore DOCG? Riserva?
24 mos, 12 in cask
| 36 mos, 12 in cask
96
What style of wine does Sforzato di Valtellina DOCG produce?
Recioto
97
What are the requirements for Sforzato di Valtellina DOCG?
2 years afed, 14% min ABV
98
What type of wine does Moscato di Scanzo DOCg produce?
sweet passito wines from red Muscato grape
99
What type of bottle is used for Moscato di Scanzo DOCG wines?
500 mL futura—a bottle shape familiar to fans of Inniskillin icewine
100
What type of climate does Valtellina Superiore DOCG have?
Continental, high altitude, lot's of sunshine
(lake Como to the east)
Highest latitude for Nebbiolo grapes
101
What lake is directly to the north of Franciacota DOCG?
Lago d'Iseo
102
Cinque Terre DOC in Liguria produces white wines from which grape?
Bosco
103
Colli di Luni DOC and Riviera Ligure di Ponente DOC are part of which region and what types of grapes do they us?
Liguria. Pigato (Vermentino)
104
What are Emilia-Romagna two DOCG's?
Albana DOCG (highly ridiculed) and Colli Bolognesi Pignoletto DOCG
105
What type of wine is Emilia-Romagna most known for?
Lambrusco (dry to sweet, frizzante, red)
106
Is Lambrusco only produced in Emilia Romagna?
No. It's also produced right across the border in Lombrardy: Lambrusco Mantovano DOC
107
What is Suditrol a synonym for?
Alto-Adige
108
Where is Bolzano (Bozen) located?
In the north part of Trento Alto Adige
109
What DOC encapsulates Trentino-Alto Adige and Verona in Veneto
Valdadige DOC
110
What 2 DOCs are the majority of Trentino Alto Adige wines released under?
Trentino DOC and Alto Adige DOC
111
What are some primary white varietals in Trentino DOC and Alto Adige DOC?
Pinot Grigio, Pinot Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Muller Thurgau, Chardonnay
112
What white varietal do you see heavily in the Alto Adige DOC that you don't in Trentino DOC?
Gewurztraminer
113
In Alto Adige, the Valle Isarco (Eisacktaler in German) is becoming known for which varietals?
German and Austrian: Silvaner, Veltliner and Kerner (a modern Schiava Grossa x Riesling crossing)
114
Does TAA produce more white or red wine?
Red
115
What is the primary red varietal of TAA?
Schiava
116
What is the premier geographical sub zone in TAA for Schiava wine?
Santa Maddalena
117
The Casteller DOC in Trentino allows Schiava to be blended with which varietals?
Lambrusco and Merlot
118
Does TAA contain any DOCG zones? If so, how many?
0
119
What is produced in Teroldego Rotaliano DOC?
Teroldego still wine (red varietal, deeply colored)
120
What region produces the most wine in Italy/
Veneto
121
Valpolicella DOC primarily uses which grapes?
Corvina (45-95% of blends) with Rodinella.
| Molinara, Negrara and Oseleta, may not exceed a total 15% of the blend
122
The Valpolicella Classico region is close to which lake?
Lake Garda
123
The Valpolicella Classico region is close to which lake?
Fumane, Marano, Negrar, Sant'Ambrogio, and San Pietro in Cariano
124
The eastern Valpolicella DOC valleys of Valpantena and Illasi are home to which famous producer?
Romano Del Forno
125
What's the difference between Recioto della Valpolicella and Amarone wines?
Recioto is dried for an extra month (Amarone 3 months). Amarone is fermented dry or near dry and recitoto is a sweet or semi-sweet wine.
126
When were Recioto della Valpolicella and Amarone della Valpolicella approved for DOCG status?
2010
127
Recioto della Valpolicella and Amarone della Valpolicella are both made using which method?
Appassimento
128
What is the name of the lofts used to dry grapes for Recioto della Valpolicella and Amarone della Valpolicella?
Fruttai
129
What are Amarone's aging requirements?
normale: 2 years
riserva: 4 years
130
Recioto della Valpolicella and Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG can be labeled by origin if originated from which two DOCGs?
Classico (valleys surrounding communes: Fumane, Marano, Negrar, Sant'Ambrogio, and San Pietro in Cariano) or Valpantenta
131
Recioto de Valpolicella wines can be made in which two styles?
Dry and Spumante
132
Valpolicella Ripasso DOC was created in which year?
2010
133
What is Valpoicella Ripasso?
A wine “re-passed” over and re-fermented with the unpressed skins of grapes previously fermented for Amarone or Recioto wine
134
What are the ABV requirements for Valpoicella Ripasso?
normale: 12.5% ABV
Superiore: 13%
135
What is Bardolino Chiaretto?
Rose produced in the Bardolino DOC with Corvina and Rondinella grapes
136
Bardolino DOC lies between Valpolicella Classico and which lake?
Lake Garda
137
What grapes are used in Soave DOC?
70% Garganega minimum, Trevviano di Soave and Chardonnay
138
What are Soave's two DOCG zones?
Soave Superiore DOCG and Recioto di Soave DOCG
139
What are the two sub regions of Soave Superiore DOCG?
Classico or Colli Scalligeri
140
How is Soave Superiore DOCG typically vilified?
Stainless steel
141
What are the aging requirements for Soave Superiore DOCG?
Normale: at least 1 year with min 3 mos in bottle
Riserva: 2 years of aging, 3 mos min in bottle
142
Recioto de Soave is dried for how many months?
4-6 months
143
Is there botrytis on Recioto de Soave
It is encouraged
144
Can Soave Superiore DOCG wines by Spumante?
No, just still
| Soave DOC and Recioto di Soave DOCG can be Spumante
145
Where is Gambellara DOC located
Immediately east of Soave
146
What grapes are used in Gambellara?
80% min Garganega
147
What percentage of Garganega must be in Recioto de Gmbellara wines? Are they still or Spumante?
100% Garganega
| Sweet wines - Still and Spumante
148
In Prosecco, what are the atmospheres required for Spumante? For frizzante?
Spumante: min 3.5 atmospheres
Frizzante: 1-2.5 atmospheres
149
What are Prosecc's two DOCG zones?
Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco DOCG and Asolo Prosecco DOCG (formerly known as Prosecco Montello e Colli Asolani)
150
What sweetness levels can Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco DOCG and Asolo Prosecco DOCG produce in Spumante superiore wines?
Brut to demi-sec
151
What type of wines can Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco DOCG and Asolo Prosecco DOCG produce?
Still, Frizzante, Spumante
152
What is the significance of the label "Valdobbiadene Superiore di Cartizze"
Prosecco coming from the cru vineyard Cartizze
153
To be labeled as a Vintage in Prosecco, what percentage of grapes must come from that year?
85%
154
What are the primary cultural influences in Friuli-Venezia Giulia?
Slavic, German, Italian
155
Which Friuli producer is credited with ushering in a new age of winemaking in the 1960's of a clean style?
Mario Schiopetto
156
What is standard vilification in Friuli?
Stainless steel, controlled cold fermentation
157
Can Friuli wines be blended?
Yes
158
What international varieties are produced varietally in Friuli?
Sauv Blanc (known in Friuli as Sauvignon), Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay
159
Who spearheaded making "orange" wine in Friuli? Inspired by?
Josko Gravner. Slovenia
160
What's a synonym for Verduzzo Gialla?
Ramandolo
161
What two DOCG zones produce sweet passito wines?
Ramandolo DOCG and Colli Orientali del Friuli-Picolit DOCG
162
Ronchi di Cialla estate is a monopole of which region?
Cialla within the Colli Orientali del Friuli-Picolit DOCG
163
What is Ronchi di Cialla known for?
Sheparding the indigenous varietal Schioppettino
164
Name 2 well-known Orange wine producers in Friuli
Gravner and Radikon
165
Venica e Venica and Ronco del Gnemiz are known for which varietal in Friuli?
Sauvignon Blanc
166
Where do producers Miani and Livio Felluga produce wine?
Friuli
167
What native grape does Gravner use in their orange wines?
Ribolla Gialla
168
What are synonyms for the Friulano grape?
Tocai Friulano, Tai
169
What varietal does the Lison DOCG release as a single varietal?
Friulano
170
What is the most planted grape in Friuli?
merlot
171
In Friuli, which red varietals can be blended with Merlot?
Cab Sauv, Cab Franc
172
Name two indigenous red varietals in Friuli
Refosco, Schioppettino, Terrano, and Pignolo
173
Out of Friuli's 10 DOC zones which are considered the top two?
Collio DOC (Collio Goriziano) and Colli Orientali del Friuli DOC
174
Which Venetian DOC extends in to Friuli?
Prosecco DOC
