Piedmont

Question 1

what are the most important wine producing provinces of Piedmont and where are they located?

Answer 1

Cuneo, Asti and Alessandria, south of the river PO

Question 2

what are the hills in the Cuneo, Asti and Alessandria provinces?

Answer 2

Monferrato and Langhe hills

Question 3

what are the primary soil types of Piedmont?

Answer 3

thin, calcareous marl and sandstone with clay and sand

Question 4

What does “sorì” refer to?

Answer 4

in the Piemontese dialect, a prized southern facing hillside

Question 5

what is the most planted grape in Piedmont?

Answer 5

Barbera

Question 6

what is Piedmont’s most planted white grape?

Answer 6

Moscato Bianco (Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains)

Question 7

what is the Piedmontese synonym for Vermentino?

Answer 7

Favorita

Question 8

how many DOCGs are there in Piedmont?

Answer 8

16

Question 9

Barolo may be produced in 11 communes. What are the five most important, ?

Answer 9

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

Question 10

what soil type dominates the vineyards of La Morra and Barolo?

Answer 10

Tortonian soils, which have a higher proportion of calcareous marl, yielding softer, more aromatic wines

Question 11

what soil type dominates the vineyards of Monforte d’Alba, Castiglione Falletto and Serralunga d’Alba?

Answer 11

Serravallian (Helvetian) sandstone soils, yielding more structured wines

Question 12

what is a “Vigna” wine in Barolo?

Answer 12

a single vineyard wine, the vines must be at least 7 years old and 100% of the grapes must come from that vineyard

Question 13

what are the aging requirements of Barolo?

Answer 13

38 months from November 1 of the harvest year, including 18 months in wood

Question 14

What are the aging requirements of Barolo Riserva?

Answer 14

62 months from November 1 of the harvest year, including 18 months in wood.

Question 15

what are Menzioni Geografiche Aggiuntive?

Answer 15

Geographic Designations, or crus, legally defined for collective use in 2010 under DOCG regulations

Question 16

name some “traditionalist” Barolo producers

Answer 16

Giacomo Conterno, Bartolo Mascarello, Giuseppe Rinaldi

Question 17

name some “modernist” Barolo producers

Answer 17

Paolo Scavino, Luciano Sandrone, Elio Altare

Question 18

youngest to oldest, what are the primary soils of Barolo?

Answer 18

Tortonian
Serravallian
Langhien

Question 19

what are some key Crus of the commune of Barolo?

Answer 19

Sarmassa, Cannubi, Brunate (shared with La Morra)

Question 20

what are the remaining 6 communes of Barolo production?

Answer 20

Grinzane Cavour
Verduno
Novello
Diano d'Alba
Cherasco
Roddi

Question 21

important crus of La Morra?

Answer 21

Brunate (shared with Barolo), Cerequio, Le Rocche

Question 22

important crus of Serralunga d’Alba?

Answer 22

Lazzarito (Vietti and others)
Cerretta (Elio Altare, Ca’Rome, Giacomo Conterno) Falletto (high altitude monopole of Bruno Giacosa)
Vigna Rionda (famous S facing cru- Massolino, Oddero, etc.)

Question 23

important crus of Monforte d’Alba?

Answer 23

Bussia, Ginestra, Santo Stefano

Question 24

important crus of Castiglione Falletto?

Answer 24

Rocche (1 ha, home to Ceretto’s Bricco Rocche estate, but several producers here)

Monprivato (monopole of Giuseppe Mascarello)

Villero (22 ha cru with many producers- Vietti, Giuseppe Mascarello, Brovia, etc.)

Bricco Fiasco (a small 8ha cru made famous by its producers- Paolo Scavino and Azelia)

Question 25

what are the communes of production of Barbaresco?

Answer 25

Barbaresco, Neive, Treiso and part of Alba

Question 26

name three important Crus of Barbaresco?

Answer 26

Asili Roncagliette (including Gaja owned subzones of Costa Russi and Sori Tildin) Martinenga (subzones include Camp Gros and Gaiun)Rabajà

Question 27

name three important Crus of Neive?

Answer 27

Serraboella (Viettei Barbaresco Masseria and others) Gallina (great soils and exposures, Oddero and others) Basarin (large cru with steep s facing sites, Moccagatta and others)

Question 28

name three important Crus of Treiso?

Answer 28

Pajorè (mostly owned by Gaja, although he doesn't use the name on labels Bricco di Treiso (Pio Cesare, high altitude, s facing slopes) Marcarini

Question 29

aging req'ts for Barabaresco?

Answer 29

Minimum 26 months from November 1 of the harvest year (minimum 9 months in wood), may be released after January 1 of the third year following the harvest

Question 30

what is the min ABV for Barbaresco?

Answer 30

12.5%

Question 31

what is the min ABV for Barolo?

Answer 31

13%

Question 32

aging req'ts for Barabaresco Riserva?

Answer 32

Minimum 50 months from November 1 of the harvest year (minimum 9 months in wood), may be released after January 1 of the fifth year following the harvest

Question 33

grapes of Roero DOCG?

Answer 33

White: 95% Arneis, up to 5% non aromatic white grapes red: 95% nebbiolo, up to 5% non aromatic red grapes

Question 34

location of Roero DOCG?

Answer 34

NW bank of the Tanaro, opposite Barolo and Barbaresco

Question 35

soil types of Roero DOCG?

Answer 35

sandy soils, providing lighter style nebbiolo

Question 36

aging for Gattinara DOCG?

Answer 36

minimum 35 months, including 24 months in wood, from November 1 of the harvest year

Question 37

grapes of Gattinara DOCG?

Answer 37

minimum 90% Spanna, maximum 10% in total of Bonarda di Gattinara and Vespolina (Vespolina cannot exceed 4%)

Question 38

aging for Gattinara Riserva DOCG?

Answer 38

47 months, including 36 months in wood, from November 1 of the harvest year

Question 39

Ghemme and Gattinara straddle what river?

Answer 39

Sesia, a tributary of the PO

Question 40

grapes of Ghemme DOCG?

Answer 40

minimum 85% Spanna, combined maximum 15% Vespolina and Uva Rara (Bonarda Novarese)

Question 41

what are the DOCGs of Piedmont?

Answer 41

* Barolo * Barbaresco * Ghemme * Gattinara * Roero * Barbera del Monferrato Superiore * Barbera d'Asti * Dogliani * Dolcetto di Ovada Superiore * Dolcetto di Diano d'Alba * Brachetto d'Acqui * Ruchè di Castagnole Monferrato * Gavi/Cortese di Gavi * Erbaluce di Caluso * Asti/Moscato d'Asti * Alta Langa

Question 42

what is the difference between Barbera d'Asti DOCG and Barbera del Monferrato Superiore DOCG?

Answer 42

Barbera d'Asti may be released after 4 mos aging Barbera del Monferrato Superiore DOCG must be aged minimum 14 months from November 1 of the harvest year, including at least 6 months in oak

Question 43

what is the varietal makeup of Barbera d'Asti DOCG and Barbera del Monferrato Superiore DOCG?

Answer 43

must be at least 85% barbera (combined max 15% Freisa, Grignolino, Dolcetto)

Question 44

what is the difference between Barbera d'Asti and Barbera d'Asti Superiore Colli Astiani?

Answer 44

Barbera d'Asti requires min 85% barbera and Barbera d'Asti Superiore Colli Astiani requires min 90%%

Question 45

what is roncet?

Answer 45

a GFLV transmitted by nematodes causing chlorosis and reducing fruit quality; common in Piedmont

Question 46

what are the grapes of Ruchè di Castagnole Monferrato DOCG?

Answer 46

90% Ruchè, plus max. 10% combined Barbera and Brachetto

Question 47

what are Piedmont's 3 DOCGs for 100% Dolcetto?

Answer 47

* Dogliani (normale or superiore) * Dolcetto di Ovada Superiore * Dolcetto di Diano d'Alba (normale or superiore)

Question 48

which of the Dolcetto DOCGs requires the highest minimum alcohol?

Answer 48

Dolcetto di Ovada Superiore 12.5%

Question 49

what is the minimum aging for the superiore styles of the Dolcetto DOCGs?

Answer 49

1 year

Question 50

what grapes varieties are permitted in Gavi?

Answer 50

100% Cortese

Question 51

what wine styles are permitted in Gavi?

Answer 51

dry, still whites and spumante metodo classico

Question 52

what is the aging for the sparkling wines of Gavi?

Answer 52

min. 2 years (including at least 18 months on the lees) from October 15 of the year of harvest

Question 53

soil types of Gavi?

Answer 53

limestone-rich clays

Question 54

grapes of Erbaluce di Caluso/Caluso DOCG?

Answer 54

Erbaluce

Question 55

wine styles of Erbaluce?

Answer 55

still, sparkling and passito

Question 56

aging for Erbaluce passito?

Answer 56

36 months from November 1 of the harvest year

Question 57

as of 2011, what is the max pressure allowed for Moscato d'Asti DOCG?

Answer 57

2 atm

Question 58

what is the typical range of ABV for Moscato d'Asti DOCG?

Answer 58

4.5%-6.5%

Question 59

What are the subzones of Asti DOCG?

Answer 59

Canelli, Strevi, Santa Vittoria d'Alba

Question 60

in what provinces is Asti located?

Answer 60

Asti (principally), Cuneo, Alessandria

Question 61

what are the aging req'ts for Moscato d'Asti "Vendemmia Tardiva"

Answer 61

must be aged at least one year from the date of harvest, unless it is from the subzone Santa Vittoria d'Alba, in which case it must be aged 2 years from Jan 1 of the year following the harvest and grapes must be partially dried prior to vinification

Question 62

when was Asti promoted to DOCG?

Answer 62

1993

Question 63

what are the wine styles of Alta Langhe DOCG?

Answer 63

◦Alta Langa Spumante ◦Alta Langa Spumante Riserva ◦Alta Langa Spumante Rosato ◦Alta Langa Spumante Rosato Riserva

Question 64

what are the grape varieties of Alta Langhe DOCG?

Answer 64

min 90% PN and/or CH, up to 10% non aromatic varietals suitable for cultivation in Piedmont

Question 65

what is the min aging for Alta Langhe DOCG spumante?

Answer 65

30 months

Question 66

what is the min aging for Alta Langhe DOCG spumante riserva?

Answer 66

36 months

Question 67

name a producer in Alta Langa DOCG

Answer 67

Fontanafredda | Enrico Serafino

Question 68

what varieties are permitted in Brachetto d'Acqui (Acqui) DOCG?

Answer 68

min 97% Brachetto, max 3% other varieties suitable for cultivation in Piedmont

Question 69

how many Menzioni Aggiuntivi are there in Dolcetto di Diano d'Alba?

Answer 69

77

Question 70

name two Menzioni Aggiuntivi for Dolcetto di Diano d'Alba and a producer for each

Answer 70

Costafiore/Alario Claudio | Sori del Ricchino/ Rizieri

Question 71

of the following Baroli from Vietti, which would be the most expensive and in which commune is each located? Brunate Lazzarito Villero Rocche di Castiglione

Answer 71

the most expensive is the Villero, bottled as a Riserva Villero- Castiglione Falleto Rocche di Castiglione- Castiglione Falleto Lazzarito- Serralunga d'Alba Brunate- Barolo