Veneto Flashcards
Where in Italy is the Veneto region?
It extends from the southern end of Lake Garda in the west to Venice in the east, and ranges from the foothills in the Alps in the north to the flat plains of the Po Delta in the south.
It is the largest of Italy’s wine growing regions.
In general, describe the climate in Veneto
Warm and moderately continental with moderate rainfall
Name the two main cooling influences in the Veneto region
Altitude - vineyards in the foothills of the mountains are exposed to large diurnal temperature range
Breezes from Lake Garda - cool air helps cool vineyards in the west of the region
What trunk disease has become a threat in the Veneto region?
Esca
Explain how sites on the plain and hillside sites in Veneto might differ
Soils on the plains are generally rich and fertile, contributing to high yields
Hillside sites are better suited to higher quality wines due to a combination of better drainage and poorer soils
What is the most grown white grape in Veneto?
Glera - used for Prosecco
Where is the Soave region located?
East of Verona, in Veneto
Describe the soils found in the foothills to the north of Soave. How does this impact wines from here?
Limestone, clay, and / or volcanic rocks (basalt)
Soils are naturally cool
Altitude and cool soils slows down ripening leading to grapes with fuller flavour intensity and ripeness
Give the key characteristics of the Garganega vine
Vigorous Very productive Late ripening Susceptible to mildew and botrytis Main grape in Soave DOC
Give a typical tasting note for a Garganega wine
Medium intensity flavours Lemon, apple, pear and white pepper High acidity Medium body Good to outstanding quality
Describe how where grapes for top quality Soave might be sourced, and how the final wine would be produced produced
Use Garganega grapes from hillside sites Short, cold maceration period Cool fermentation (16 to 18 degrees) Some lees ageing Some producers may use oak
What is the maximum yield for Soave DOC?
When is the earliest that Soave DOC wines can be sold?
105hl/ha
December following the harvest
Where can grapes be sourced from for Soave DOC?
Where can grapes be sourced from for Soave Classico DOC?
Where can grapes be sourced from for Soave Superiore DOCG?
Soave DOC: Across the whole Soave region, mostly from the flat plains
Classico: Only from the hilly Classico area
Superiore: From a delimited hilly zone. This is the same area as is permitted for Recioto di Soave DOCG
What grapes, and at what percentages, are permitted for Soave DOC?
What percentage of production of wines from the Soave region is labelled Soave DOC?
Minimum 70% Garganega
The remaining 30% can be from Trebbiano di Soave (Verdicchio) or Chardonnay
80%
What grapes, and at what percentages, are permitted for Soave Classico DOC?
What percentage of production of wines from the Soave region is labelled Soave Classico DOC?
Minimum 70% Garganega
The remaining 30% can be from Trebbiano di Soave (Verdicchio) or Chardonnay
20%
What is the maximum yield for Soave Classico DOC?
When is the earliest that Soave Classico DOC wines can be sold?
98hl/ha
February the year after harvest
What grapes, and at what percentages, are permitted for Soave Superiore DOCG?
Minimum 70% Garganega
The remaining 30% can be from Trebbiano di Soave (Verdicchio) or Chardonnay
What is the maximum yield for Soave Superiore DOCG?
When is the earliest that Soave Superiore DOCG wines can be sold?
70hl/ha
September the year following harvest
Where can grapes be sourced from for Recioto di Soave DOCG?
From a delimited hilly zone. This is the same area as is permitted for Soave Superiore DOCG
Give a typical tasting note for a Recioto di Soave DOCG wine
Made from semi dried grapes
Honeyed, rich, floral
Sweet
Balancing high acidity
What is the maximum yield for Recioto di Soave DOCG ?
36hl/ha
What grapes, and at what percentages, are permitted for Recioto di Soave DOCG ?
Minimum 70% Garganega
The remaining 30% can be from Trebbiano di Soave (Verdicchio) or Chardonnay
What size is the average vineyard holding in Soave?
2ha
What percentage of wine is produced by family wineries?
10%
What is the name of the biggest co-operative in Soave?
What percentage of total Soave production is bottle by this co-op
Cantina di Soave
50%
What percentage of Soave wine is exported?
What are the two main export markets?
80%
Germany and the UK
Explain how plantings of Garganega and Pinot Grigio have changed since the 60s and 70s in Soave
Garganega was highly planted in the 60s and 70s when Soave was in fashion, but many low quality plantings are being replaced with Pinot Grigio due to increasing demand
In an effort to reposition Soave as a higher quality wine, what steps are being taken by the Soave Consorzio?
They are classifying single vineyards across the region. The top vineyards are on hilly sites, with most found in the Classico region
Where is the Valpolicella region?
North of Verona, in the wider Veneto region
Describe the growing conditions in the north of the Valpolicella region
Vineyards are in the foothills of the mountains
Limestone and clay, or volcanic soils
Cooler soils slow ripening
Produce wines of greater concentration with higher acidity
Describe the growing conditions in the south of the Valpolicella region
Vineyards are on flat soils
Gravel and sand soils are warm
Fruitier wines with lower acidity and concentration
Give the key characteristics of the Corvina Veronese vine
Thick skins - suitable for drying High yielding and vigorous Mid to late ripening - needs warmth Suited to pergola training Prone to downy mildew Prone to esca Prone to drought
Give a typical tasting note for a Corvina Veronese wine
Violet, red cherry, red plum fruit and herbal aromas
High acidity
Low to medium tannin
Often blended in Valpolicella wines
Give the key characteristics of the Corvinone vine
Big clusters
Un-uniform ripening is a problem
Prone to downy mildew
