Veneto Flashcards
(55 cards)
Veneto, with its capital at Venice, is the most significant of what?
the three regions that comprise the Tre Venezie
The Veneto produces more wine than any other region in Italy yet much of it what?
falls at a lower level—an ocean of neutral PG
The expansion of what DOC zones into markedly inferior areas fuels criticism of the DOC system and lends credence to lesser wines?
Soave and Valpolicella
What represent the height of complexity for the Valpolicella region?
The raisinated styles of Amarone della Valpolicella and Recioto della Valpolicella
What is the cepage for Valpolicella DOC wines?
45-95% Corvina, blended with Rondinella. Other non-aromatic grapes of the region, such as Molinara, Negrara and Oseleta, may not exceed a total 15% of the blend
Valpolicella DOC wines labeled superiore show what?
Wines labeled superiore show a rounder character, a higher min alcohol and a min of one year of aging
The Valpolicella Classico region is located where?
at the western end of the Valpolicella DOC, near the shores of Lake Garda
Valpolicella Classico consists of the several “fingers,” or valleys, surrounding the communes of what?
Fumane, Marano, Negrar, Sant’Ambrogio, and San Pietro in Cariano
Although the Valpolicella Classico wines tend to be more ambitious in scope, what wines can be equally compelling?
wines from the eastern Valpolicella DOC valleys of Valpantena and Illasi
What producer in the eastern Valpolicella valleys is unparalleled?
the Venetian modernist Romano Dal Forno
What is becoming more common throughout the hierarchy of Valpolicella styles?
Single vineyard (vigna) bottlings
The recioto style did not develop as an extension of the simpler Valpolicella wines; rather it was what?
the modern Valpolicella’s precursor and a historical specialty of the region
Recioto della Valpolicella and Amarone wines are produced through what?
the expensive appassimento process
What is the appassimento process?
grapes are dried for over 3 months in special lofts (fruttai) before fermentation, effectively concentrating sugar and extract
Grapes destined for Recioto della Valpolicella are typically dried for what?
an additional month, and the resulting wine is semi-sweet to sweet, whereas Amarone is fermented to dryness or near-dryness
What does the appassimento process add?
complex dried fruit tones, additional alcoholic warmth and a round, glycolic mouthfeel to the final wines
Amarone spends an additional ___ years aging prior to release
two
What producers in Amarone are utilizing new barriques to add spice and density to the wines?
Dal Forno, Allegrini
In Amarone, who remains traditional, aging the wine in large, neutral Slavonian botti?
Giuseppe Quintarelli
Amarone may be labeled riserva if aged for what?
a minimum 4 years
Both Recioto della Valpolicella and Amarone della Valpolicella were finally approved for DOCG status when?
In early 2010
Both Recioto della Valpolicella and Amarone della Valpolicella may labeled as Classico or Valpantena if what?
they originate in the respective areas
Recioto della Valpolicella wines may also be in what style?
spumante
Valpolicella Ripasso was finally granted its own DOC when?
in 2010
