Piemonte / Alba / Other Appellations of Langhe Hills

Question 1

What are the other 3 important appellations in the Langhe Hills?

Answer 1

Barbera d’Alba DOC
Langhe DOC
Alta Langa DOCG

Question 2

Which DOC is based on the Barbara grape?

Answer 2

Barbera d’Alba DOC

Question 3

How has the production of Barbera changed in the past few decades?

Answer 3

• vineyard improvements (lower yields and harvest at peak ripeness)
• winery improvements (careful vinification and use of oak ageing)

Question 4

Where is the Barbera d’Alba DOC located?

Answer 4

• both sides of Tanaro River
• right bank: corresponds to Lower Langhe (including Barolo and Barbaresco)
• left bank: covers Roero hills

Question 5

Where is Barbera planted in the Barbera d’Alba DOC?

Answer 5

hillside sites where Nebbiolo not capable of ripening

Question 6

What are Barbera d’Alba DOC wines made from?

Answer 6

• minimum 85% Barbera; up to 15% Nebbiolo

- in practice, most wines 100% Barbera

Question 7

What are the requirements for Superiore Barbera d’Alba DOC?

Answer 7

minimum 12 months ageing (including 4 months in oak)

Question 8

What is Barbera d’Alba DOC usually aged in?

Answer 8

small, new oak barrels

Question 9

Why is it useful to age Barbera in small, new oak barrels?

Answer 9

add complexity and tame high acidity

Question 10

What is Barbera d’Alba profile?

Answer 10

• deep ruby-purple color

- red fruit with spice

Question 11

How do left and right bank Barbera d’Alba DOC differ?

Answer 11

left bank = more approachable and refined

right bank = bigger, richer, more structured and more suitable for oak ageing

Question 12

Which wine is the longest lived out of the Barbera DOCs?

Answer 12

Barbera d’Alba

Question 13

What does Barbera d’Alba baroleggia mean?

Answer 13

Barbera d’Alba wines with bottle age develop a similar profile to aged Barolos (leather, tobacco, earth)

Question 14

Who often produces the best Barbera d’Alba wines?

Answer 14

Barolo and Barbaresco producers

Question 15

What is Alba’s broad appellations?

Answer 15

Langhe DOC

Question 16

What does the Langhe DOC include?

Answer 16

Langhe and Roero districts and more than 90 communes in Cuneo province

Question 17

Why was the Langhe DOC introduced?

Answer 17

• allow for blending of grapes from different areas of Langhe and Roero
• allow native and international grapes
• provide less stringent production requirements

Question 18

What doe producers use the Langhe DOC for?

Answer 18

fallback appellation for wines produced outside the strict rules of various DOC/Gs

Question 19

Prior to the creation of the Langhe DOC, how were wines de-classified?

Answer 19

Vino da Tavola (table wine) since there are no IGTs in Piemonte

Question 20

Why is Langhe DOC one of Langhe’s most dynamic appellations?

Answer 20

flexible regulation

Question 21

What are common native grapes in Langhe DOC?

Answer 21

Nebbiolo, Barbera, Dolcetto and Arneis

Question 22

What are less common native grapes in Langhe DOC?

Answer 22

Favorite, Freisa and Nascetta

Question 23

What are common international grapes in Langhe DOC?

Answer 23

Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Nero and Merlot

Question 24

What are the varietal wine requirements for Langhe DOC?

Answer 24

minimum 85% of state variety

Question 25

Why is the Langhe Nebbiolo DOC designation important for Barolo and Barbaresco producers?

Answer 25

- use the DOC to release more approachable expressions of Nebbiolo earlier than Barolo/Barbaresco DOCG ageing requirements - used by Barolo/Barbaresco producers who want to make Nebbiolo wines under less restrictive rules

Question 26

How is the Langhe Nebbiolo DOC more flexible that Barolo DOCG?

Answer 26

- can blend up to 15% Barbera or Cabernet Sauvignon with Nebbiolo - can mature wines in new oak for only 12 months (Barolo's minimum is 18 months)

Question 27

What styles does Langhe DOC allow?

Answer 27

- varietal, rosso, bianco, rosato, passito | red and white blends can be labeled without a rosso or bianco mention on label - just Langhe DOC is ok

Question 28

What is the only sub-zone in Langhe DOC?

Answer 28

Nascetta del Commune di Novello

Question 29

What type of wines does the Langhe DOC Nascetta del Commune di Novello sub-zone produce?

Answer 29

wines from native white variety Nascetta in dry and passito versions

Question 30

What is the profile of wines from the Nascetta del Commune di Novello sub-zone in Langhe DOC?

Answer 30

- citrus, tropical fruit, herbs (sage, rosemary) - honey and balsamic notes with age - refreshing and well-structured

Question 31

What type of wines does the Alta Langa DOCG produce?

Answer 31

metodo classico (traditional method) sparkling wines

Question 32

Where is the Alta Langa DOCG located?

Answer 32

- covers almost all of Langhe | - extends east into Asti and Alessandria provinces

Question 33

What is the area under vine in Alta Langa DOCG?

Answer 33

100ha (large appellation geographically)

Question 34

What are the Alta Langa DOCG wines made from?

Answer 34

90-100% Pinot Nero and/or Chardonnay; Pinot Nero usually plays dominant role

Question 35

What styles does Alta Langa DOCG produce?

Answer 35

sparkling bianco and rosato

Question 36

Do Alta Langa DOCG sparkling wines vintage-dated?

Answer 36

yes

Question 37

What is the minimum ageing on lees for Alta Langa DOCG sparkling wines?

Answer 37

30 months on lees

Question 38

What is the minimum ageing on lees for Riserva Alta Langa DOCG sparkling wines?

Answer 38

36 months