Veneto Cards Flashcards
(145 cards)
1
Q
Where is the Veneto located geographically?
A
Northeastern Italy, at the top of the Adriatic Sea.
2
Q
What historical event led to the founding of Venice?
A
The Lombard invasions pushed people to take refuge in the Venetian lagoon.
3
Q
What was the name of the powerful Venetian state?
A
The Republic of Venice (La Serenissima).
4
Q
When did the Republic of Venice exist?
A
From the late 7th century through the 18th century.
5
Q
What style of wine did the Venetians promote?
A
Malvasia.
6
Q
What was Malvasia originally associated with?
A
A Greek wine style, likely named after Monemvasia, a port in the Peloponnese controlled by Venice.
7
Q
What techniques were used in Greek-style wines promoted by Venice?
A
Air-drying grapes, cooking musts, and other preservation methods for long sea travel.
8
Q
What modern Italian wine styles were influenced by historical Malvasia trade?
A
Passito, Recioto, and Torcolato.
9
Q
What are Veneto’s most commercially important wines today?
A
Prosecco and Pinot Grigio.
10
Q
What is Veneto’s approximate vineyard area?
A
97,500 hectares (240,800 acres).
11
Q
What is Veneto’s annual wine production?
A
11.9 million hectoliters, or 132 million cases.
12
Q
How does Veneto’s production compare globally?
A
It produces more wine than South Africa, Germany, or Portugal.
13
Q
How many DOCGs, DOCs, and IGPs are in the Veneto?
A
14 DOCGs, 29 DOCs, and 10 IGPs.
14
Q
What percentage of Veneto’s wine is DOC or DOCG level?
A
More than 75%.
15
Q
What are the core grapes allowed in all Valpolicella denominations?
A
45–95% Corvina and/or Corvinone, 5–30% Rondinella, up to 25% other red grapes (max 10% each).
16
Q
What are the traditional blending partners in Valpolicella wines?
A
Molinara, Oseleta, Croatina, Dindarella, Spigamonti, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot.
17
Q
What is the significance of Corvina in Valpolicella wines?
A
Corvina has thick skins ideal for air-drying, provides red cherry flavor, and thrives in dry, hillside sites.
18
Q
How does Corvinone contribute to Valpolicella blends?
A
Adds tannin and structure, performs well in warmer vintages, and is allowed up to 95% in the blend since 2019.
19
Q
Why is Rondinella important in Recioto della Valpolicella?
A
It accumulates sugar easily and contributes an herbal character, making it ideal for sweet wines.
20
Q
What is the historical significance of Recioto della Valpolicella?
A
Traces back to ancient Rhaetian wines and Roman acinaticum, a sweet wine praised by Cassiodorus.
21
Q
What are the drying requirements for grapes used in Amarone and Recioto?
A
Grapes are dried 100–120 days, losing 40–50% of original weight before pressing.
22
Q
What is the minimum potential alcohol for Recioto della Valpolicella DOCG?
A
14% potential alcohol (with 12% acquired), and at least 2.8% must remain as residual sugar.
23
Q
What is the origin and definition of Amarone?
A
Big bitter wine created by accident from Recioto; first intentional bottling in 1950 by Bolla.
24
Q
What are the Amarone DOCG minimum alcohol and sugar requirements?
A
Min. 14% ABV; up to 9 g/L RS at 14% ABV, with a sliding scale allowing more as alcohol increases.
25
What are the aging requirements for Amarone?
Normale: 2 years minimum. Riserva: 4 years minimum.
26
How does botrytis affect Amarone styles?
May reduce acidity and increase glycerol; some producers encourage it, others avoid it.
27
What is Ripasso and how is it made?
A Valpolicella wine refermented with Amarone or Recioto pomace, adding body, alcohol, and richness.
28
What are the requirements for Valpolicella Ripasso DOC?
Pomace must contribute 10–15% of volume, contain at least 0.5% potential alcohol, and be from same producer.
29
What are the aging and alcohol requirements for Valpolicella Ripasso DOC?
Aged min. 1 year; min. 12.5% ABV for Normale, 13% for Superiore.
30
What was the first wine labeled 'ripasso'?
Masi's Campofiorin in 1967; term 'ripasso' registered in 1988.
31
What type of soils characterize the Bardolino region?
Glacial morainic soils.
32
What is the general style of red wines from Bardolino?
Lighter and fruitier than Valpolicella.
33
What are the key permitted styles in Bardolino DOC?
Red, novello (carbonic maceration), spumante, and rosato (chiaretto).
34
What does the term 'chiaretto' mean in Bardolino?
“The little light one”; used for rosato wines.
35
What are the grape requirements for Bardolino DOC?
40–95% Corvina and/or Corvinone (max 20% Corvinone), 5–40% Rondinella, up to 20% other grapes.
36
What is the maximum percentage of Molinara allowed in Bardolino DOC?
15%.
37
What are the Bardolino DOC subzones approved in 2021?
La Rocca, Montebaldo, and Sommacampagna.
38
What is the aging requirement for Bardolino DOC subzone wines?
Minimum of 1 year.
39
What is the Bardolino Superiore DOCG?
A separate DOCG with 1 year minimum aging, now rarely used.
40
What is the main white wine denomination south of Bardolino?
Custoza DOC (formerly Bianco di Custoza).
41
What styles of wine are allowed under Custoza DOC?
Still, spumante, and passito white wines.
42
What grapes are required in Custoza DOC?
Minimum 70% combined Cortese, Friulano, Garganega, and/or Trebbiano Toscano.
43
What is the maximum percentage of any single variety in Custoza DOC?
No single variety may exceed 45%.
44
What other grapes can be used in the remaining 30% of Custoza DOC blends?
Pinot Bianco, Chardonnay, Riesling, Riesling Italico, Malvasia, or Manzoni Bianco.
45
What is the general market and reputation of Custoza wines?
Pleasant, approachable white wines mainly consumed by Lake Garda tourists and exported in Europe.
46
What grape is the primary variety in Soave, and what percentage of plantings does it represent?
Garganega, representing 88% of plantings.
47
What are the blending rules for Soave DOC?
Minimum 70% Garganega, up to 30% combined Trebbiano di Soave and Chardonnay, and up to 5% other white grapes.
48
What are the two subzones of Soave DOC?
Classico and Colli Scaligeri.
49
Which Soave DOC subzone is most important for quality wines?
Soave Classico.
50
What was the purpose of creating Soave Superiore DOCG and why is it rarely used?
To improve quality with higher minimum alcohol and lower yields, but it does not require Classico fruit and is largely ignored.
51
What training system is traditional for Garganega in Soave?
Pergola veronese.
52
What are the main soil types in the Soave Classico subzone?
Calcareous marls (Soave commune) and volcanic basalt/tuff (Monteforte d’Alpone commune).
53
What are the stylistic differences between wines from Soave and Monteforte d’Alpone?
Soave: refined, floral; Monteforte d’Alpone: powerful, structured, spicy.
54
What producer helped restore Soave’s reputation with a single-vineyard wine and what was it called?
Pieropan; the wine was Calvarino, released in 1971.
55
What change was instituted with the 2019 vintage in Soave DOC to emphasize terroir?
Introduction of 33 unità geografiche aggiuntive (UGAs).
56
What are typical flavor characteristics of high-quality Soave?
Steely, ageworthy with notes of cherry blossoms, almonds, ripe fruit, and hay.
57
What is Recioto di Soave DOCG?
A DOCG for sweet passito wines from the Soave area.
58
What are the requirements for Recioto di Soave DOCG?
Same blend as Soave; grapes dried to at least 14% potential alcohol; minimum 70 g/L residual sugar.
59
What is unique about botrytis in Recioto di Soave DOCG?
Grapes often show noble rot.
60
What styles of wine are authorized under Recioto di Soave DOCG?
Still and sparkling sweet wines.
61
What is the primary grape of Gambellara DOC, and what percentage is required?
Minimum 80% Garganega.
62
What grapes are allowed for blending in Gambellara DOC?
Up to 20% Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco, and/or Trebbiano di Soave.
63
What kind of soils are most Garganega vines planted on in Gambellara?
Volcanic hillsides.
64
What is notable about the Classico subzone in Gambellara DOC?
It covers nearly the entire DOC and has slightly lower yields and higher minimum alcohol.
65
Name the subzones of Gambellara Classico.
Faldeo, Taibane, Monti di Mezzo, San Marco, Creari, Selva.
66
What are the styles of wine authorized in Gambellara DOC?
Still white, spumante (sparkling), and vin santo.
67
What grape is authorized in the sparkling wines of Gambellara but not in the still wines?
Durella.
68
What is Recioto di Gambellara DOCG?
A DOCG for sweet passito wines made from 100% Garganega.
69
What does 'classico' mean on a Recioto di Gambellara label?
It refers to the classic style, not a subzone.
70
What is Torcolato, and what grape is it made from?
A sweet passito wine made from 100% Vespaiola.
71
What characteristics does Vespaiola contribute to Torcolato?
High acidity, floral notes, honey, and ripe tropical fruit flavors.
72
What is the origin of the word 'Torcolato'?
From 'torcolare,' meaning to twist, referencing the drying method of the grapes.
73
Who is the key producer of Torcolato?
Maculan.
74
What styles of wine are allowed under Breganze DOC?
Red, white, sparkling, and sweet wines from both native and international varieties.
75
What grape is used in Lessini Durello DOC, and what is its minimum percentage?
Minimum 85% Durella.
76
What styles of wine are allowed in Lessini Durello DOC?
Sparkling wines, either tank or traditional method (Riserva).
77
What styles of wine are allowed in Monti Lessini DOC?
Varietal Durella (dry or passito), white blends with at least 50% Chardonnay, and varietal Pinot Nero.
78
What is the difference between Durella and Durello?
Durella is the grape, Durello is the wine.
79
What are the key DOCGs for Raboso-based wines?
Piave Malanotte DOCG and Friularo di Bagnoli DOCG.
80
What are the blending rules for Raboso wines in these DOCGs?
Majority Raboso Piave (aka Friularo) with Raboso Veronese.
81
What are the characteristics of Raboso Piave?
High acidity, aggressive tannins, and black fruit flavors.
82
What is the drying requirement for Piave Malanotte DOCG wines?
Must include 15–30% dried grapes.
83
What additional styles are allowed in Friularo di Bagnoli DOCG?
Vendemmia tardiva and passito.
84
What grape is the focus of Colli Euganei Fior d’Arancio DOCG?
Moscato Giallo.
85
What styles are allowed under Colli Euganei Fior d’Arancio DOCG?
Dry, sweet, sparkling, and passito.
86
What is the difference between Moscato wines from Colli Euganei DOC and Fior d’Arancio DOCG?
Fior d’Arancio uses Moscato Giallo; Colli Euganei DOC uses Moscato Bianco.
87
What was the historical influence that increased international grape plantings in Veneto?
Veneto was under Austrian Habsburg rule in the 19th century and at a crossroads of trade and European cultures.
88
When were Bordeaux varieties first planted in Veneto?
In the 1830s.
89
What grape is the top-planted red variety in Veneto?
Merlot.
90
What share of Italy’s Merlot plantings are in Veneto?
Over one-third.
91
What red international varieties are common in Veneto?
Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot.
92
What red international varieties are common in Veneto?
Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec, Carmenère, Pinot Nero.
93
What white international varieties are common in Veneto?
Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio.
94
What share of Italy’s Pinot Grigio is in Veneto?
38%.
95
What was the former IGT designation for much of Veneto’s Pinot Grigio production?
delle Venezie IGT.
96
What DOC replaced delle Venezie IGT in 2017?
delle Venezie DOC.
97
What is Italy’s second largest DOC by volume?
delle Venezie DOC.
98
What are the main wine styles produced under delle Venezie DOC?
Varietal Pinot Grigio (almost exclusively).
99
What areas are included in the delle Venezie DOC?
All of Veneto and Friuli-Venezia Giulia, plus Trentino.
100
What DOCs in Veneto focus on international varieties?
Colli Berici DOC, Colli Euganei DOC, and Montello Asolo DOC.
101
What is typically in a wine labeled 'Cabernet' from Veneto?
A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, possibly with Carmenère.
102
What is Montello Rosso DOCG?
A DOCG for Bordeaux blends in the Montello area, created in 2011.
103
What is the required blend for Montello Rosso DOCG?
40–70% Cabernet Sauvignon; 30–60% Cabernet Franc, Carmenère, and/or Merlot; up to 15% other red grapes.
104
What is the current scale of Montello Rosso DOCG production?
Only ~210 hL annually from 6 hectares.
105
Why do some Veneto producers label high-end international wines as IGT?
To allow for more flexibility in grape composition and winemaking than DOC laws allow.
106
Name three notable 'Super Venetians' bottled as IGT.
Quintarelli’s Alzero; Maculan’s Palazzotto and Crosara; Allegrini’s La Poja.
107
What grapes are used in Quintarelli’s Alzero?
Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot.
108
What is Allegrini’s La Poja made from?
100% Corvina.
109
What is the top-selling sparkling wine in the world by volume?
Prosecco.
110
When did Prosecco surpass Champagne in global volume sales?
2013.
111
What is the primary grape of Prosecco and what was it formerly called?
Glera; formerly called Prosecco.
112
Why was the grape name changed from Prosecco to Glera in 2009?
To comply with EU rules protecting geographic names.
113
Who produced the first modern sparkling Prosecco and when?
Antonio Carpenè in 1873.
114
What sparkling method is most commonly used for Prosecco production?
Martinotti/Charmat method.
115
How does the Martinotti method differ from traditional method sparkling?
Less lees contact; preserves fruit/floral notes; lower cost; tank fermented.
116
What is the required grape composition for Prosecco DOC?
Minimum 85% Glera; up to 15% other approved varieties.
117
What are two notable blending grapes in Prosecco for acidity and aroma?
Verdiso (acidity), Perera (pear aroma).
118
What are the three carbonation levels of Prosecco?
Tranquillo (still), Frizzante, Spumante.
119
What bottle-fermented rustic Prosecco style keeps the lees in bottle?
Col fondo / sui lieviti.
120
What term describes lees haze remaining in bottle-fermented Prosecco?
Velatura.
121
When was rosé Prosecco authorized?
2020.
122
What is the composition requirement for rosé Prosecco?
85% Glera + 10–15% Pinot Nero (vinified red).
123
What is the vintage requirement for rosé Prosecco?
Must be vintage-dated.
124
What percentage of 2022 Prosecco DOC production was rosé?
11%.
125
What are the two labeled subzones of Prosecco DOC?
Trieste and Treviso.
126
What are the two DOCGs for Prosecco?
Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco DOCG, Asolo Prosecco DOCG.
127
What is the most important quality denomination for Prosecco?
Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco DOCG.
128
What geographical features define this area?
Steep hills (50–550 m), hogback ridges, Piave River, Dolomites, and Venice lagoon.
129
What are the main climatic and airflow factors affecting vineyards?
Inversion layers, warm southern breezes, cold air drainage, wind-thickened grape skins.
130
What are the key soil differences between Valdobbiadene and Conegliano?
Valdobbiadene: marls and conglomerates; Conegliano: morainic and clay soils.
131
Which side of the DOCG tends to produce more floral wines?
Valdobbiadene (cooler, higher altitudes).
132
Which side produces fuller-bodied wines?
Conegliano (warmer, lower elevation).
133
What was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2019?
The hills between Conegliano and Valdobbiadene.
134
What are rive and how many are there?
Geographic vineyard designations; 43 total (12 communes + 31 frazioni).
135
What are the production requirements for rive wines?
Hand-harvested, vintage-dated, 13 t/ha max yield, 11.5% ABV min.
136
Name several highly regarded rive.
Col San Martino, Colbertaldo di Vidor, Farra di Soligo, Ogliano, Pieve di Soligo, Soligo.
137
Veneto (Cartizze) - What is Cartizze?
The most famous and steepest vineyard in Prosecco near Valdobbiadene. (Largest owner is Bisol)
138
Veneto (Cartizze) - How large is Cartizze?
107 ha (265 acres).
139
Veneto (Cartizze) - What are the three unofficial subzones of Cartizze?
Cartizze Alto, Cartizze Est, Cartizze Ovest.
140
Veneto (Cartizze) - What is unique about Cartizze Alto?
Steepest slopes (up to 60%), highest elevation (230–320 m), warmest, wind-exposed.
141
Veneto (Cartizze) - How are grapes in Cartizze typically harvested?
Two weeks later than rest of appellation to enhance ripeness and perfume.
142
Veneto (Cartizze) - What are the typical wine characteristics of Cartizze?
Powerful, full-bodied, 17–32 g/L RS (dry), high acidity.
143
Veneto (Cartizze) - What is the labeling term required for Cartizze wines?
Superiore di Cartizze.
144
Veneto (Cartizze) - Who are key producers of Cartizze?
Bisol (largest share), Adami, Col Vetoraz, Le Colture, Villa Sandi.
145
Veneto (Cartizze) - What share of 2020 DOCG production was Superiore di Cartizze?
1.4%.
