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Valle d'Aosta Flashcards

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1
Q

How has France has impacted Valle d’Aosta?

A

French influence dates from Frankish domination during the Dark Ages; Gamay and Pinot Noir varieties were introduced by Franks; French language is enshrined in official bilingual status; wine labels often have French terms (can be mixed with Italian)

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2
Q

What is the main influence of the Alps on the Valle d’Aosta’s climate?

A

blocking humid westerly winds

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3
Q

How does elevation affect Valle d’Aosta’s viticultural practices?

A

At the highest elevation, white grapes predominate. At the highest elevation lower pergolas are used for training. Steep vineyards require terracing. South facing slopes are favored to improve ripening.

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4
Q

How is Valle d’Aosta’s valley subdivided?

A

Upper, Central and Lower

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5
Q

Which grape varieties are “traditional” in Valle d’Aosta?

A

Nebbiolo and Petite Arvine

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6
Q

Which grape varieties are native in Valle d’Aosta?

A

more than 10, of which 3 are need to know: Petit Rouge, Fumin, Prié Blanc

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7
Q

What are the hallmark characteristics of Valle d’Aosta wines?

A

due to short summers and high altitude, wines tend to be light and show vibrant fresh fruit and high acidity

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8
Q

What is the difference between late harvest and passito wines?

A

late harvest sweet wine is made from over-ripe grapes and passito sweet wine is made from air-dried [not over -ripe] grapes

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9
Q

How are wines from the Valle d’Aosta DOC labeled?

A

Valle d’Aosta DOC followed by options:

a) Rosso/Bianco/Rosato b) sub-zone name c) varietal (85%[!])

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10
Q

What is the only French speaking region in Italy?

A

Valle d’Aosta

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11
Q

What is the smallest region in Italy?

A

Valle d’Aosta

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12
Q

What is the least populated region in Italy?

A

Valle d’Aosta

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13
Q

What wine region has the lowest wine production in Italy?

A

Valle d’Aosta

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14
Q

What is the significance of Augusta Praetoria?

A

Roman city of present day Aosta founded in 25 BC; strategically important for control of mountain passes

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15
Q

After the fall of the Roman Empire, what political entities held the controlling interest in Valle d’Aosta over the next 1000 years?

A 
Frankish Kingdom (6th cent,) 
House of Savoy (11th cent,) 
Kingdom of Sardegna in 1800's
Kingdom of Italy (1861)
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16
Q

What are the borders of Valle d’Aosta?

A

Switzerland, France, Piemonte [not Lombardy; single Italian region, similar to Friuli]

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17
Q

What is the highest peak in the Alps?

A

Monte Bianco (aka Mont Blanc), altitude 15780 feet

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18
Q

What is the main river of Valle d’Aosta?

A

Dora Baltea

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19
Q

What are the main towns of the Upper Valle d’Aosta?

A

Morgex, La Salle

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20
Q

What are the main towns of the Central Valle d’Aosta?

A

from west to east: Arvier, Aosta, Nus, Chambave

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21
Q

What are the main towns of the Lower Valle d’Aosta?

A

from south to north: Donnas, Arnad, Montjovet

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22
Q

What are the main grapes of the Central Valle d’Aosta?

A

Petit Rouge, Premetta, Fumin

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23
Q

What are the main grapes of the Lower Valle d’Aosta?

A

Nebbiolo

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24
Q

Where are the vineyards in relationship to the river in the Central Valle d’Aosta?

A

Left bank or northern side of the river (which flows east)

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25
Where are the vineyards in relationship to the river in the Lower Valle d'Aosta?
ripening is possible on both sides of the river (not just one side) as direction of Dora Baltea veers south
26
What are the main climatic effects of the Alps blocking humid westerly winds into the Valle d'Aosta?
results in a rain shadow effect with lower temperatures, lower rainfall (especially in west,) increased hours of sunshine with less clouds, wide diurnal swings [this contrasts to other regions where rainfall increases closer to the mountains, e.g. Veneto]
27
What viticulture technique is used in Valle d'Aosta to improve ripening?
pull leaves in the fall [an adaptation to extreme altitude in viticulture]
28
What is the operative descriptive word for viticulture in Valle d'Aosta?
"heroic," 60% of vineyards are on steep slopes
29
Name a native white grape of Valle d'Aosta?
only one: Prié Blanc or Blanc de Morgex (Prié in Robinson)
30
When was Prié Blanc first mentioned historically?
1691
31
What is the preferred rootstock for Prié Blanc?
ungrafted, altitude too high for phylloxera (in Blanc de Morgex et de la Salle sub zone)
32
Prié Blanc from Valle d'Aosta is genetically linked to which country?
Spain, Robinson states actual origin is unknown. Identical grape is grown in province of Avila (Rueda) under the synonym Legiruela (not IWS info)
33
Peitie Arvine from Valle d'Aosta is genetically linked to which country?
native to Switzerland (Valais)
34
What are the need to know white grapes from Valle d'Aosta?
Prié Blanc (native) and Petite Arvine [!](traditional)
35
What are the need to know red grapes from Valle d'Aosta?
Petit Rouge (native,) Nebbiolo (traditional,) Fumin (native)
36
What is the synonym for Petit Rouge in Valle d'Aosta?
Picciourouzo
37
What red grape from Valle d'Aosta can develop balsalmic notes with barrel aging?
Fumin
38
What is the synonym for Nebbiolo in Valle d'Aosta?
Picotendro
39
What are the 5 most planted grapes in Valle d'Aosta?
Petit Rouge (16%,) Nebbiolo (9%,) Prié Blanc (7%,) Pinot Nero (7%), Fumin (5%) [PNPPnF]
40
What is the traditional training method in Valle d'Aosta?
pergola, 3 foot high on slate stones in Upper Valley, 10 foot high in Lower Valley; shorter method maximizes ground heat and reflected light
41
What are the need to know Valle d’Aosta DOC sub-zones?
of the 7, 4 are critical: Donnas, Chambave, Torrette, Blanc de Morgex et de La Salle
42
What are the predominant grape varieties grown in the Valle d’Aosta DOC Donna sub-zone?
Nebbiolo
43
Name the significant Valle d’Aosta DOC sub-zones in the Upper Valley?
Blanc de Morgex et de La Salle
44
What are the predominant grape varieties grown in the Valle d’Aosta DOC Chambave sub-zone?
Petit Rouge and Moscato Bianco (dry and passito)
45
Name the significant Valle d’Aosta DOC sub-zones in the Lower Valley?
Donnas
46
What is the wine quality pyramid in Valle d'Aosta?
80% DOC/ no [!] IGP/ 20% generic wine [no IGT!, similar to Piemonte]
47
What wine is known as the "mountain brother of Barolo?"
red wine (Nebbiolo) from Donnas sub-zone of Valle d'Aosta DOC
48
What are the predominant grape varieties grown in the Valle d’Aosta DOC Blanc de Morgex et de La Salle sub-zone?
Prié Blanc, mostly dry, also small amount traditional method sparking
49
What is the largest Valle d’Aosta DOC sub-zone?
Torrette [unexpected!]
50
What was the first DOC in Valle d'Aosta?
Donnas DOC in 1971, later became a subzone of Valle d'Aosta DOC
51
Where in Italy is Ice Wine made?
Valle d'Aosta from Prié Blanc (but also in other spots)
52
What is the climate of Valle d’Aosta?
continental with alpine influences
53
Which sub-zone in Valle d'Aosta has the longest aging requirement?
Donnas for the Nebbiolo, at least 10 months in oak, minimum 24 months total [Nebbiolo needs time]
54
What is the capital of the Valle d'Aosta province?
Trick question. There are no provinces as Valle d'Aosta is the only Italian region not divided into provinces.
55
What is the origin of the name Aosta?
Romans after having defeated the Salassi in 25 BCE founded a city and military retirement camp in honor of the first Roman emperor Ottaviano Augusto (Augustus).
56
Name the significant Valle d’Aosta DOC sub-zones in the Central Valley?
Chambave, Torrette
57
What is the major economic driver in Valle d'Aosta?
tourism
58
What is the importance of Valle d'Aosta to Italy’s wine industry as a whole?
high quality wine, but very limited quanity is exported
59
When was viticulture introduced into Valle d'Aosta?
vines cultivated since 400 BC
60
What was the impact of the National Fascist Party in Valle d'Aosta during the 1920's?
Fascists attempted an Italianization program, forced assimilation in the Francophone region of Valle d'Aosta
61
What was Italianization?
Italianization is the spread of Italian culture, people, or language. It refers often to the Fascist effort between 1922 and 1943 to force cultural and ethnic assimilation, primarily, of the native populations living in the former Austro-Hungarian territories that were transferred to Italy after World War I.
62
What is the significance of glaciers in Valle d'Aosta?
region was formed by glaciers - 4% of Valle d'Aosta's total surface is still covered by glaciers
63
What are the viticultural effects of the mountains in Valle d'Aosta?
mountains create rain shadow making it colder and drier; mountains block clouds creating a wide diurnal temperature swing; sun allows grapes to ripen, cool nights preserve acidity
64
Describe seasonal variation in Valle d'Aosta.
Springs: wet, cool, sunny Summers: dry, warm, sunny, short Autumns: wet, cold, arrives early Winters: snowy, cold, harsh, long
65
Describe the topography in Valle d'Aosta and placement of vineyards.
considered completely mountainous topography; 60% on steep slopes (heroic;) 35% on moderately steep slopes; 5% on valley floor
66
Describe the effect of topography on viticulture in Valle d'Aosta.
mountainous regions has led to vineyard holdings which are small and not contiguous; terraces are common; no mechanization
67
Describe the soils in Valle d'Aosta.
slopes: shallow, limestone or schist | valley floor: alluvial with gravel
68
Describe the mix of red and white wine in Valle d'Aosta.
reds account for 80%[!]; however, whites are increasing and some of the best wines
69
What is the most planted white grape in Valle d'Aosta?
Prié Blanc
70
What is Blanc de Morgex?
synonym for Prié Blanc
71
What is the most planted red grape in Valle d'Aosta?
Petit Rouge [not to be confused with Prié Rouge]
72
What are the breakpoints of altitude for the different portions of Valle d'Aosta?
Upper: 2600-3900 ft Central: 1640-2300 ft Lower: 1000-1300 ft
73
What styles of wine are made in Chambave sub-zone?
reds, whites and passitos
74
What is aging requirement for red wine in Valle d'Aosta?
5 months
75
What is aging requirement for white wine in Valle d'Aosta?
none
76
What is the major design advantage of pergola training in Valle d'Aosta?
expose grapes to maximum sunlight
77
What is the etymology of the Valle d'Aosta label term Fletri?
It is from Old French flaistre (“withered”) and from Latin flaccid; referring to shriveled (air dried) grapes used to make passito style
78
What French city lies at same latitude as Aosta?
Lyon, 45.7 degrees N
79
60% of Valle d'Aosta lies about what altitude?
6900 feet [limited vineyard space, least productive wine region of Italy]
80
How long is the Aosta Valley?
50 miles
81
What is role of cooperatives in Valle d'Aosta wine production?
produce 3/4's of all wine, generally high quality
82
Where is the lowest rainfall in the Italian Alps?
Upper Valley of Valle d'Aosta [due to rain shadow; but even lower rainfall in Pantellaria, only 12 inches]
83
Name two Italian wine regions where the rain shadow effect is prominent?
western aspect of Valle d'Aosta and Piemonte
84
What is the most planted red grape in Tourette sub zone of Valle d'Aosta?
Petite Rouge (red wines contain at least 70%)
85
What is the traditional home of Moscato Bianco in Valle d'Aosta?
Chambave, primary white grape [Petite Rouge is primary red grape]
86
What is the most planted red grape in Arnad-Montjovet sub zone of Valle d'Aosta?
Nebbiolo
87
What is the aging requirement for reds in the Valle d’Aosta DOC Donna sub-zone?
minimum 24 months (with at least 10 months in oak); [longest in Valle d'Aosta]
88
In Valle d'Aosta, Malvoise is actually what grape?
Pinot Grigio (can be labeled as Pinot Gris)
89
How many DOCs are in Valle Aosta?
one: Valle d'Aosta DOC
90
What is the focus of Tourette sub-zone in Valle d'Aosta?
red wine from 70% Petite Rouge; largest, most-productive sub-zone

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