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White Grapes Flashcards

(65 cards)

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1
Q

Moscato Bianco

A

Most abundant of all Muscats-progenitor from where all other Muscat’s came from
Aka Muscat di Canelli by a few producers in Piedmont

Asti DOCG

Late ripening, very adaptable, thin skinned, prone to pests
Likes clay/limestone

Most floral of all Muscat’s light straw, low to med acid, grapey
Makes all styles from spk to dessert

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2
Q

Moscato di Alessandria /zibibbo

A

Offspring of moscato Bianco
Highly associated with pantelleria
There is a red skinned mutation black muscat of Alessandria

One of the most heat and drought resistant Muscat’s

Richer than Bianco and giallo, raisin and saline notes, less floral, more jam/caramel, fig notes

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3
Q

Moscato giallo

A

Grown in northeastern regions -FVG, veneto, AA, Trentino
Veneto:
Aka goldenmuskateller

Lower in acidity than other Muscat’s
Early ripening,prefers cooler regions
Herbal and spicy, has higher geraniol and nerol than Bianco

Dry and sweet(lh or passito)

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4
Q

Greco

A

Found in campania
Greco di TuFo doc
Some plantings in puglia and Tuscany
Ripens late, low vigor and productivity sensitive site selection very important for healthy vines

Golden hue, high alcohol, rich palate, oily mouthfeel, with med/high acidity floral/peach/honey
Potential for aging

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5
Q

Greco Bianco

A

Aka Greco di gerace
Is same as Malvasia di lipari, Malvasia di sardegna
Lots of confusion in name

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6
Q

Malvasia Bianca di candia

A

Was most widely planted in Italy
Most plantings found in Lazio
Docg frascati sup, cannellino
Name comes from isle of Crete-ancient name

Closely related to red berried Malvasia di Casorzo

Productive variety not good with humidity
Not often varietal, but shows weak citrus, sharp acidity and thin palate
Mostly blended as still dry wine

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7
Q

Malvasia Bianca lunga

A

Major part of vin santo
Was included in ricasoli’s Chianti recipe
Mostly found in Tuscany : vin santo with trebb toscano
Aka Malvasia del Chianti or mal Bianca lunga toscana

Closely related to mal istriana and di Lipari

Also found in Umbria and le Marche

Large long bunches, thick skinned 
Susceptible to vine diseases 
Delicately aromatic, soft acidity, marked salinity
Mostly still sweet white wine 
Trebbiano Toscano is blending partner
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8
Q

Malvasia del Lazio

A

Once regarded as less desirable due to low yields but now becoming recognized as variety that gives higher quality
Aka mal puntinata (means speckled)
Berries are spotted when ripe

From a natural crossing between schiava grossa and moscato d’alessandria
Can drop acidity quickly poor yielder

Sage and citrus for dry styles, creamy texture, beeswax/resin
Good for noble rot,
Lazio: docg frascati sup
Often blended with Malvasia Bianca di Candia and trebbiano toscano to make frascati

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9
Q

Malvasia istriana

A

Produces some of the best dry Malvasia wines in italy
FVG doc Carso mal, doc Collio mal
Thought to originate from Croatian peninsula istriana doc in region since 13c
Thrives on well drained soils

Genetically related to Malvasia di lipari and Bianca lunga

Mostly found in FVG: 3 regions Carso-most mineral, isonzo-full bodied, Collio-refined and perfumed

some in Puglia, veneto

Distinct from others, has high intervarietal variability, has many biotypes

Thick skin, poor soils, hillsides

Variety of styles, can macerate for fuller body purple flowers, stone fruit, petrol, ginger, white pepper

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10
Q

Malvasia di Candia Aromatica

A

From Emilia where it makes varietal wine
Doc colli piacentini colli di Parma
Also Lazio and Lombardy(blend in Oltrepo Pavese )

Mildly aromatic tropical fruit, spices

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11
Q

Malvasia di Lipari

A

Sicily, the island of Salina
Makes one of Italy’s best dessert wines -Malvasia Delle Lipari DOC-passito 80% production
Sardinia:
Doc mal di Cagliari, mal di bosa

Irregular yielder, vulnerable to disease,

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12
Q

Moscato Bianca

A 
Most abundant
The progenitor for all other Muscat’s 
Aka moscato di Canelli in Piedmont 
In France: blanc a petit grains or frontigan
Spain: moscatel de grano menudo

Majority found in Piedmont
Late ripening, adaptable, thin skinned
Likes chalky limestone best

Most floral of all Muscat’s rose, fruit salad
Made in all styles

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13
Q

Moscato di Alessandria

Aka Zibibbo

A

Offspring of Moscato bianco
Associated with island of pantellaria

Most heat/drought resistant of the Muscat’s

Richer style of wine , saline, fig, more raisin

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14
Q

Trebbiano abruzzese

A

Often misidentified
Abruzzese is grape treb d’Abruzzo is wine
Lots of mud plantings of treb toscano, bambino bianco and passerina

Grapes remain deep straw green even when ripe
Late ripener, acidity drops fast when ripe

Lemon, peach, white flower, dense texture on palate, bright acidity, mineral savouriness
At best very similar to Chablis

Lesser examples can suffer from oxidation as grape is high in polyphenols

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15
Q

Trebbiano toscano

A

Most widely planted white variety in Italy
Known as Ugni blanc in France

Has parent/offspring with garganega
Also used to create Vidal
Tuscany, veneto, some in Le Marche and Umbria

Late budding, warmth loving, highly adaptable and good producer

High acidity, lends backbone to many blends
Crucial for vin santo (Malvasia Bianca Lunga)
Lemon, camomile and racy acidity

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16
Q

Trebbiano romagnolo

A 
Another widely planted treb 
Concentrated in Emilia romagna 
Province of Ravenna 
Aka Trebbiano fiamma and forli 
Often mixed up in vineyard with toscana 
Higher quality then toscana has riper fruit and denser palate 
Dry and sparkling most common
Varietal bottling rare
Often coplanted and Vinified with toscana
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17
Q

Trebbiano Spoletino

A

Found around towns of Spolato and montefalco in Umbria

Late ripening, resistant to disease
Lack a common identity, range from SB like to heavy/boozy

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18
Q

Vernaccia di SAN gimignano

A 
Takes name from hilltop town in Tuscany 
Vernaccia di SAN gimignano DOCG
Subzones: pancole, Santa Maria 
Same as Ligurian Piccabon 
Unoaked-pale yellow, often green tinges 
Lemon zest, sage, hint of almonds

Still dry
Reserve wines may be oaked, hints of vanilla

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19
Q

Vernaccia di oristano

A

Both a variety and a wine
From Sardinia
Few plantings, but old vines

Styles range from dry/fortified
Most wines are aged in barrel which aren’t completely topped up to encourage sherry like flor development
Hints of bitter almond, dried apricots, hazelnuts, orange rind, herbs

DOC of same name

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20
Q

Albana

A

Descendant of garganaga, related to Catarratto Bianco, mal bianca di candia, trebb toscano and others

Most likely named due to white colour, flowers late, full bodied, tannic, pear and acacia, easy to oxidize
Bertinoro is grand cru
Emilia romagna : Italy’s first white DOCG Albana di Romagna 1987

Rare white tannic grape, thick skinned, long hang time good for dessert wines

Full bodied and structured, honey, exotic tropical fruits and ripe pears can oxidize

Sweet wines are best examples, takes well to noble rot

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21
Q

Ansonica

A

Aka Inzolia in Sicily
Related to grillo, frappato, nerello Mascalese

Tuscany, Sicily

Ripens early, quick acid drop, drought resistant, but hot temp not good

Found on Tuscan island Elba -granite acidic soils doc Elba
Sicily: most docs 
Tuscany Doc Costa dell argentario
Genetic similarities to Greek grapes 
Related to Grillo, Frappato, Nerello Mascalese 
Naturally tannic white, low in acid
Usually blended 
Important in Marsala
Passito styles from Elba
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22
Q

Arneis

A

Nearly extinct half a century ago
Ceretto Blange bottling in 80s
Name evolved from ancient name renesio di Canale where a cru sure of arneis (bric renesio) can be found

Piedmont-mostly Roero region DOCG Arneis 100%
Crus: bric renesio, castellinaldo, canale
DOC Lange doc Terre d’alfrieri

Grows erect like nebb so nicknamed Nebbiolo bianco
Poor yield, disease prone acidity can drop fast
Best on chalk and sandy soils
Low to med acidity, fresh and lively, white peach, pear, sweet almond, white flowers
Oxidizes easily

Historically used to soften high acidity of Nebbiolo and barbera
Rescued by Bruno Giacosa and Alfredo currado

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23
Q

Bombino bianco

A

Puglia -also Lazio abruzzo ER
Often misidentified
Lazio:DOcG frascati, docg frascati cannellino as blender

Late ripener, can have bad weather at harvest

Creamy and fresh, white flowers, peach, anise, almonds and bright acidity

In abruzzo blends dominate
Puglia there are some varietal

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24
Q

Bosco

A

Locals call it a red grape in white grapes clothing
Name from a villa in Genoa

Liguria doc cinque Terre, Colline di Levanto, sciacchetra (sweet)
Blends with: albarola and or vermentino

Grows best at low elevation, seaside

Full bodied, high alcohol, yellow fruit and herb

Also sweet styles

Almost always blended with albarola and vermentino

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25
Carricante
``` Sicily-Etna Used to be all over Sicily, but now mostly Etna where it is 95% of white plantings Name ‘load up the donkey’ High productivity Possibly related to nerello mascalese ``` Often planted above 1000m where nerello masc cannot ripen Many producers harvest late to tame acidity Low alcohol, high acid-malic acid so Malo fermentation is needed Lemon, anise, green apple, orange flower, chamomile, salinityand minerality Often described as a dry Riesling esqe can get flint and diesel aromas with age Can age May be blende with small portions of other local whites cataratto bianco and minnella
26
Cataratto bianco comune
Second most common variety Actually a group of similarly named varieties that are considered to be a set of biotypes, often interplanted so difficult to determine if are distinct Currently 2 entries in NR, comune, and cataratto bianco lucido Lucido considered higher quality while comune has higher sugar lower acid DOC Etna Bianco, (Catarratto) Offspring of garganega Cataratto name comes from cataracts-waterfalls-high yielder sunburns, grows well on volcanic, thick skins, high malic acid Better quality grown on hillsides Tropical notes, Pineapple, citrus, herbal Usually dry, but is used in Marsala
27
Cococciola
Thought to have originated in Puglia Abruzzo: chieti, blender with trebb d’abruzzo puglia, molise Early ripening, high yielding, not site sensitive Pale straw green, menthol, lemonbright acidity, saline, herbal Usually blended
28
Coda di Volpe Bianca
Grape bunches have long curled shape of fox tail Ancient variety, known in Roman times Often confused with caprettone or pallagrello bianco Officially primary grape of Vesuvio DOC but caprettone is more often used Campania, DOC Sannio CDV. DOC taburno CDV Blender in Fiano DOCG and Greco di Tufo DOCG Low in acidity, can be steely and mineraly if grown on volcanic soils Tropical fruit and richer if on other soils, high phenolics Most are blends
29
Cortese
doc in 1600’s Piedmont: DOCG Gavi Cru:rovereto , Lombardy, veneto (aka Bianca fernanda) Resistant to cold weather, productive and vigorus, thin skinned Lemon, white flowers, herbal, high acidity ageing ability Ha I
30
Erbaluce
Piedmont DOCG erba luce di caluso Also passito Early bud break=frost danger Canopy training protects from hail but limits sunlight Thick skin, high acidity Pale lemon with green tinges, crisp mineral driven wines, white flowers, apricot, delicate wine
31
Falanghina
One of Campanias oldest varieties Name from falangae-phalanx Roman military formation 2 genetically distinct falanghinas have been id’d Flegrea-firm structure and higher alcohol Beneventana-floral prominent Often combined in vyds may have been in falurnum wine Plantings also found in Molise, Lazio, puglia in several docs as blender Med lemon, high acidity, floralpungent leafy green note Stone fruit, yellow apple full flavour
32
Fiano
Saved from extinction by Mastroberardinos varietal bottling in 1945 Aka Latino Campania, DOCG Fiano puglia, basilicata, Sicily Late ripening, thick skin, affinity for volcanic soil, which can develop smoke or burnt rubber notes ``` Lapio is cru site -heavy clay soil High geraniol and linalool Range of flavours-lean and mineral to rich and full bodied Ageworthy Can be sweet ```
33
Garganega
One of oldest and most important grapes Many biotypes : gar tipica-most common Greciano dorato believed to be a biotypes that adapted to Sicilian terroir Veneto, Docg soave sup, docg reci otto di soave 70% Doc gambellara80% Sicily, Lombardy, ER, Lazio and Umbria Dependable producer, high yields affect quality Ripe fruit, hay, floral, steely, mineral In Soave can be100%, but often blended with Trebbiano di Soave and Chardonnay In Sicily blended with inzolia and Chardonnay
34
Glera
``` Aka serprina in colli euganei 2 mainvareties Glera tondo (biotypes=balbi and cosmo) Glera lungo FVG Veneto Docg Conegliano valdobbiadene85% Docg Asolo 85%-cru cartizze-Fuller, more sugar ```
35
Grechetto
2 unrelated varieties Grchetto di Orvieto Grechetto di todi (pignoletto) but often blended together ER: pig Umbria: g di Orvieto (blend of Grechetto and trebb, bombino) Marche, Lazio: cervaro (antorini blend of Grechetto and chard) Citrusy, white blossom, green apple, pear good acidity Late harvest noble rot styles as well
36
Grillo
Considered one of Sicilies highest quality varieties Comes from Sicilian word for pips Natural crossing of cataratto bianco lucido and moscato di Alessandria Possibly same grape as Greece’s malagouzia but not proven Cultivation limited to western Sicily 2 biotypes Grillo Vecchio Grillo Nuovo-most planted as less suseptible to millerandage DOC Alcamo 50% doc monreale, doc Delia nivolelli Sicily with small plantings in Puglia Heat and drought tolerant , but sensitive to sunburn Aromatic molecules oxidize easily so more reductive winemaking needed Lemon, herbal, sometimes resemble SB Still dry wines but also used in Marsala
37
Nascetta
The only white native to langhe Historically from Novello Aka Anascetta or Nas-cetta Championed by Elvis Congo and le strette *wines labelled Anas-cetta del comune di Novello are from original Novello production zone Difficult to grow, vigourus canopy, but irregular low yield, tight bunches, doesn’t like too much sun but needs warmth and diurnal range Semi aromatic wines, herbal pungency and balsamic minty character, saline edge and savoury Develops honey and vanilla notes with age
38
Nosiola
Linked to Trentino since 15th cen Doc Trentino nosiola, doc Trentino vin santo Isolated to mountain top vyds Name from hazelnut, colour of stalk and grape as well as aroma of wine Most likely offspring of reze (ancient valais variety) Resilient in bad weather, buds early and irregular producer In Valle dei laghi area it’s best as there is a drying wind that helps quality High acid and subtle hazelnut notes, dry, crisp, white flowers citrus and saline Trentino vin santo sweet version
39
Nuragus
Sardinia Doc nuraghe di Cagliari Cru: sibiola, selegas , abbondanza Name from Phoenician nur =fire or prehistoric stone structure called nuragus Drought resistant Uneven ripener- productive Lightly aromatic, low alcohol with potential for bitterness High polyphenols, vigorous Dry is typical, but also sweet/frizzante
40
Pecorino
Marche also Lazio Tuscany, Umbria Low productivity, prefers cool microclimates and clay rich soil, retains acidity High acid, herbal, pear, apple, green melon Low yields=high alcohol In Marche extended skin contact while in Abruzzo not macerated so wines are lighter and fresher Marche docs/Gs DOCG offida pecorino 85%-best pure example Abruzzo-several as blender IGTs Was almost extinct, but now very popular, planted where it shouldn’t be, so bland or not variety correct
41
Picolit
FVG : Colli Orientali del Friuli Picolit DOCG, Colli DOC Friuli Colli Orientali DOC One of most ancient docin 12th c 1682 served at wedding banquet, fav of European courts, competed with tokaji World class sweet wines Mark/sandy soils called Ponca locally DOCG colli orientali del friuli picolit-sweet passito Best sites: rosazzo, Rocco bernarda Delicate, downy mildew, low yields, poor fruit set Rescued by Gaetano Perusini-Rocco bernarda estate Honey, mango, pineapple, candies ginger, nectarine Doesn’t develop with age Appasimento used but can make too jammy Also used in blends to give texture and sweetness
42
Prie
``` v dAosta Prie blanc Named from use at Sunday mass Oldest documented grape in V dAosta DOC valle dAosta ``` Parent to mayolet, Withstands alpine cold, ungrafted Delicate, floral, steely, bright acidity Blanc de morgex, le salle-crus Still dry is usual, but spk and sweet also made
43
Ribolla Gialla
Aka rabola, rebolla, ribuele Doc in 1299 Was generic name for quality wine FVG: Friuli CO DOC Collio DOC Top site Rosazzo sub zone of FCO DOC and Oslavia in Collio DOC Best in hillside vyds as it can overproduce High acidity and hint of white pepper, citrus, flowers and mineral Dry light, fresh, also used to make orange wines
44
Timorasso
Once piedmont’s most common white, but abandoned due to viti issues Walter Massa resurrected in 80s DOC Colli tortonesi Best in n part Late ripening, berries different sizes and ripen unevenly, coulure, thin skin Intense herbal and mineral, high acid, med to full body, and tend to high alcohol , can take in petroleum notes
45
Tocai friulano
FVG: Collio DOC FCO DOC and others Veneto:Piave DOC Lison-Pramaggiore DOC Garda DOC Wine is called friulano since 2008 2 major biotypes Aka: Sauvignon vert, sauvginonasse, tocai italico FVG Resistant, but can be damaged or rot at harvest Green apple, green mango, citrus, white flowers Mostly varietal
46
Verdicchio
Named after colour verde Aka verdone, Verzana, verdetto, verzello ``` Marche, jesI- 85%-cooler than matelica-Fuller body, inland can be included in Soave blend max 30% Lugana 90% Lombardy and many other regions ``` Adaptable, slow even ripening maintains acidity Green tinge, lemon zest, sweet almond and white flowers, med plus to high acidity, can develop flintiness Can take oak aging as well All styles exist, but dry most important Marche =varietal is norm Lugana: glacial soils, aka Turbiana, flat clay near lake Garda, more gravel in hills(fuller style) Sometimes oak aged but 90% unoaked Has SB like pungency and acidity and has mineral note
47
Vermentino
Aka favorita, pigato , rolle, carbesso, malvoisie a gros grains Sicily, Tuscany, Piedmont, Liguria, tuscany Wide range of aromas and flavours, musky, herbal, saline, peach, apricot Pigato tends to be richer ``` Dry, spk, LH, passito Lee’s stirring, oak aging SardiniaDOCG vermentino di Gallura-granite NE of island Liguria- doc riviera di ponente (pigato) East side Vermentino Piedmont:favorita ``` In more than 50 wines 1docg 22doc
48
Verduzzo Friulano
Tannic white gives many styles of wine 2 biotypes giallo (hillsides for sweet) and verde (flat land) Giallo is considered better quality FVG Verde: Light bodied citrus floral Giallo: more tannic, tropical apricot honey Sweet almond is typical for all Ramandolo DOCG for sweet airdried Veneto: igt verduzzo-both biotypes
49
Durella
Takes name from tough skin Veneto, also Tuscany and Lombardy Lessini durello DOC min85% High acid, delicate Sparkling, both methods
50
Asprinio Bianco
Campania DOC asprinio dAversa -grand cru Also Puglia and Basilicata Behaves like a wild vine Training system is alberate- Extremely vigorous! Light high acid wine average alcohol is 10% Also makes spk spumante DOC
51
Bellone
Lazio Castelli Romani vyds-up to 10% in Frascati Also around seaside Anzio and Nettuno and Cori Best are IGT Cori Complex, lucious texture, juicy aciditycitrus, tropical fruit High acidity makes good spkling
52
Biancolella
Aka Jancolella Campania Mainly on islands off coast of Naples and almandine coast 100% are DOC ischia Biancolella DOC ischia Bianco usually blend of forastera Frassitelli is islands one grand cru Golden tinged white flower, thyme, saline
53
Caprettone
Campania near Vesuvius DOC Lacryma Christi- small part of blend IGT for varietals Lemon white flowers Indios apricot, mineral notes
54
Forestera
Campania Island of Ischia doc ischia bianco with biancollella Herbal and saline apple, dried apricot rich mouthfeel
55
Lumassina
Aka acerbina-high acidity LIGURIA always been blended with other local varieties to make everyday wines Gives light alcohol floral pear, green apple, thyme
56
Marzemina Bianca
Aka Sciampagna Veneto-native Lombardy DOC Colli Euganei Prosecco Good acidity, delicate floral, white flowers, herbs
57
Minutolo
Puglia IGTs DOC blends Locorotondo Often used to spice up more neutral whites Fresh light bodied, white flowers, ginger, yellow fruit
58
Nasco
Aka Nusco, Nascu, Resu ``` Sardinia East of Cagliari and around Oristano on the plains Possibly Sardinia’s oldest variety One of oldest grapes in Sardinia 15 IGTs DOC Nasco di Cagliari Sweet, dry, fortified, ``` Always characterized by strong herbal note and muskiness naturally high acid
59
Passerina
Collection of several grapes Share features in common but very different Lazio, Marche, abruzzo All styles
60
Ortrugo
ER Lombardy Aka altruga-other grape Considered less important than other grapes in blend
61
Pignoletto
Aka Grechetto di Todi Umbria: doc Orvieto Emilia romagna :rebola-same Light lemony, white flowers, herb, apple, high acidity, late harvest gives wine of depth
62
Scimiscia
Liguria Doc golfing del tigulio-portofino Ripe pear, banana, saline tang with acidity
63
Verdeca
Green colour of grapes Puglia: used in blends to make Locorotondo and others Campania: Blends in with Lacryma Fresh and crisp
64
Verdea
Lombardy ER Toscana Dry or sweet
65
Vitovska
Slovenian origin for name FVG Friuli Carso DOC Carso Ferrous rich red rocks, produce mineral wines high acid

Italian varietals (6 decks)

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