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80 Cards in this Set
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- Back
- 3rd side (hint)
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What is the climate of Northern Italy? |
Moderate - more maritime between Adriatic Sea, River Po & Lake Garda - more continental inland - dry, short summers |
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What are the defining geographical characteristics of Northern Italy? |
- diverse geography! - foothills of Alps & extensive plains of R. Po - Lake Garda - Alps => rain shadow effect - areas closer to sea = higher rainfall -> fungal disease |
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What was the traditional vine training/trellising system of Northern Italy? |
Pergola - high yielding vines planted at low density - protects grapes from sunburn - promotes air circulation, therefore decr. risk of rot - b/c low disease good for wines from dried grapes - good for sparkling as yields high acid low sugar grapes |
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What is the contemporary vine training/trellising system of Northern Italy? |
VSP Higher density planting |
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What is the most northerly grape growing region in Italy? |
Alto Adige |
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What is the main town of Alto Adige? |
Bolzano |
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What are the geographic features of Alto Adige? |
Foothills of the Alps Terraced vineyards on south-east and south-west slopes Along the valley of River Adige |
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What is the climate of Alto Adige? |
Moderate Short, dry summers Low rainfall in growing season Altitude = large diurnal range |
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What styles of wine is Alto Adige known for? |
Whites: aromatic Reds: elegant, light-bodied |
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What is the most planted grape variety in Alto Adige? |
Pinot Gris |
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What are the grape varieties planted in Alto Adige? |
Whites: Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer, Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc Red: Schiava |
4 whites 1 red |
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What are the characteristics of a Pinot Gris from Alto Adige? |
- Dry - Light- to medium-bodied - High acidity - Citrus & Green Fruits |
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What are the characteristics of a Schiava from Alto Adige? |
- Dry - Light & fruity - Low to medium tannins - Raspberries & plums |
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What is the geographical indication of Alto Adige? |
Alto Adige DOC |
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What are the geographic features of Trentino? |
Valley wider than Alto Adige Vines planted on both slopes and valley floor |
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What is the climate of Trentino? |
Moderate Dry summers, low rainfall in growing season Slightly warmer than Alto Adige - lower altitude - mountains to west protect from cooling of Lake Garda |
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What grape varieties are common in Trentino? |
White: Pinot Grigio and Chardonnay Black: Merlot and Teroldego |
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Where are the black grapes of Trentino normally grown (i.e. what part of the slope/valley floor)? |
Mainly mid-slope & valley floor
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What are the characteristics of a white wine from Trentino grown on the valley floor and on at higher altitude? |
Valley floor: - medium body - medium acidity - ripe stone fruit Higher altitude: - more like Alto Adige (high acid, light to medium bodied, citrus & green fruits) |
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What is the geographical indication for Trentino? |
Trentino DOC |
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Friuli-Venezia Giulia has two distinct climates based on its geography. What are they, are what geographical features influence this? |
North: - moderate continental climate - in the foothills of the Alps - cold mountain air South: - Warm maritime climate - flat plain near Adriatic Sea |
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What are the most planted grape varieties?
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White: Pinot Grigio, Friulano Red: Merlot |
2 whites 1 red |
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Describe a Pinot Grigio from Trentino |
Some of richest in Italy - Med- to full-bodied - Juicy peach & tropical fruit |
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Describe a Merlot from Trentino |
(Medium across the board) - Med-bodied - Med acidity - Med tannins - ripe red fruit, hint of spice from oak |
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What is the native white grape grown in Trentino? |
Friulano |
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Describe a Friulano |
Med- to High acidity Med body Pear, red apple, herbs |
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There are several geographical indications in Trentino based on topography. What are they, and does each produce simple or premium wines and do they produce only white or red as well? |
1) Friuli Grave DOC - on the plain - simple, fruity whites 2) Collio DOC - on the hills - premium, concentrated whites 3) Colli Orientali DOC - on the hills - premium, concentrate whites & reds |
3 DOCs |
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What are the regions of the Veneto? |
1) Veneto 2) Prosecco 3) Soave 4) Valpolicella |
4 |
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What is the geography of Veneto? |
- one of Italy's largest regions - Foothills of Alps in North - Plains of R. Po in South |
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What is the climate of Veneto? |
Warm Moderate rainfall |
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What are the moderating influences on the climate in the Veneto? |
North: altitude = cooling, large diurnals West: breezes off Lake Garda cool Plain: moist air & fog from River Po |
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What are the natural risks to crops in the Veneto? What measures are taken to combat the risk? |
Disease/rot on the plains due to the moist air and fog from the river Po. Increased need to spray |
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What is the generic appellation name for the Veneto? |
Veneto IGT |
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What grape varieties are commonly grown in Veneto IGT? As a group, what are their characteristics? |
International: Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Merlot Native: Corvina (black), Garganega (white), Trebbiano (white) Characteristics: inexpensive, large volume, high yield -> simple & fruity |
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Where is Prosecco DOC located? |
Primarily in the Veneto, partially in Friuli-Venezia Giulia |
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What are the soil types in Soave? Do they vary north to south? |
North is foothills, including extinct volcanos Soil = limestone, clay, volcanic rocks. These soils are naturally cool -> slow ripening, full flavour ripeness, high acidity South is plains of River Po Soil = sandy, alluvial. These soils are warmer -> aid ripening, fruitier w/ med acidity, drink young |
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What are the geographical indications in Soave? |
Soave DOC = grapes from whole region Soave Classico DOC = grapes from foothills |
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What is the main grape of Soave? |
Garganega (blended with small amounts of other white grapes) |
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What are the characteristics of a Garganega from Soave? |
Med to high acidity Med body Pear, red apple, stone fruit +/- white pepper No new oak Ageworthy -> almonds & honey |
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What are the geographical indications within Valpolicella? |
Valpolicella DOC: greater region, includes foothills to the north and plains to the south Valpolicella Classico DOC: foothills to the north only, the classic region, considered better sites |
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What grape variety dominates in Valpolicella? |
Corvina |
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What are the characteristics of Corvina? Is it used as a single varietal or blended? |
- thin skin -> moderate colour - low- to med- tannins - high acidity - can be blended with local varieties to incr colour & tannin - Wines: simple, fruity, light tannins, red cherry, rarely oaked. Drink young. |
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Describe the Passito method. What is the purpose of the passito method? |
Grapes picked early to maintain acidity and dried indoors to concentrate sugar & flavours, then fermented in the winter following drying. Purpose: increase structure, flavour concentration, and colour in reds. For red and white winemaking. |
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Name 3 wines made with the passito method in the Veneto. |
1) Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG 2) Recioto della Valpolicella DOCG 3) Recioto di Soave DOCG |
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Describe the characteristics of Amarone della Valpolicella |
- dry to off-dry - full-bodied - high alcohol - med- to high-tannins - intense flavours: red berry, spice - aged in large oak casks. |
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Describe the characteristics of Recioto della Valpolicella |
- grapes so sweet fermentation stops -> sweet wine - intense red fruit - high alcohol - full-bodied - med- to high-tannins |
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What is a Recioto di Soave? |
sweet white wine made by passito method |
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Describe the Ripasso method |
- base of Valpolicella red -add unpressed skins from a fermenting Amarone della Valpolicella (after Amarone drained off) - yeast accompanies skins -> continue to ferment sugar on Amarone skins |
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The addition of Amarone skins to dry Valpolicella contributes what characteristics to a Valpolicella Ripasso? |
- increase colour - increase flavour - increase tannin |
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What is the classification of a Valpolicella Ripasso? |
Valpolicella Ripasso DOC |
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What are the characteristics of a Valpolicella Ripasso? |
- med- to full-bodied - med- to high tannins - flavours: stewed red cherries, plums |
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What is the climate of Piemonte? |
Moderate continental - long, cold winters |
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What are the climatic risk factors for grape ripening in Piemonte? |
Summer: thunderstorms, hail, fog |
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What moderating geographic influences are present in Piemonte? |
- mountains to north -> rain shadow - River Po in south - Lake Maggiore in north - altitude in the foothills (150 - 600m) |
4 |
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What grape varieties are most prevalent in Piemonte? |
Black grapes: Nebbiolo, Barbera, Dolcetto
White grapes: Cortese, Moscato (Muscat) |
3 black, 2 white
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What is the IGT/IGP for the Piemonte region? |
- there is no generic appellation for the region. All wines either DOC or DOCG. |
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Describe the geography of Barolo |
- steep south-facing slopes in horseshoe-shaped valley - altitude 300 - 500m |
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What grape variety is used in Barolo? |
Nebbiolo |
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What is the effect of the altitude in Barolo on grape ripening? |
Slows ripening -> perfumed aromas (full physiological ripeness) |
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What are the characteristics of Barolo? |
- Little colour, drops out quickly - High acidity - High tannins - Sour cherries, herbs, +/- dried flowers - ageworthy |
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Barolo Serralunga d'Alba DOCG is an example of what type of grape sourcing? |
Single village |
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Barolo Cannubi DOCG is an example of what type of grape sourcing? |
Single vineyard (best wines) |
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What are the aging requirements for Barolo? |
at least 18 months in oak at least 3 years total ageing pre-release |
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Describe the differences between traditional and modern winemaking in Barolo |
Traditional: harsh tannins; aged for several years in large oak botti to soften tannins. Modern: - Vineyard management and gentler extraction -> smoother, riper tannins. - Less time in oak, small barrels or large casks, some new oak. - Bottle ageing -> cont soften tannins, add complexity |
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What flavours develop in aged Barolo? |
Tar, truffles, leather |
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What grapes are grown in Alba DOC? |
Dolcetto and Barbera |
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What is the grape of Barbaresco? |
Nebbiolo |
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Describe the geography of Barbaresco |
- South-facing slopes, lower altitude than Barolo (200 - 400m) - local river |
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What are the characteristics of Barbaresco? |
- ripens earlier than Barolo -> fruitier/less perfumed - high acidity - high tannin => ageworthy |
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What are the ageing requirements for Barbaresco? |
- min. 9 months in oak - min. 2 year total ageing |
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How are the best wines of Asti & Alba labelled? |
Grape variety + region - eg: Barbera d'Asti DOCG (higher quality) - eg: Barbera d'Alba DOC |
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What are the grape varieties of Asti & Alba? |
Barbera Dolcetto Nebbiolo Moscato (Asti) - sparkling |
3 black 1 white |
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What are the characteristics of Barbera? |
- late ripening - med to deep colour - low to med tannins - high acidity - red cherries, plums +/- black pepper |
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Describe the two styles of Barbera |
1) light, fruity, unoaked - early drinking 2) barrel aged -> spicy flavours; can be drunk young, but ageworthy |
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What are the characteristics of Dolcetto? |
- ripens earlier than Barbera and Nebbiolo, suitable for cooler sites - deep, often purple colour - med to high tannins - med acidity - black plum, red cherries, dried herbs - can drink young, but ageworthy - finest: Dolcetto d'Alba DOC |
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Describe the geography of Gavi |
Hills -> altitude & sea breezes => long, slow ripening (physiological ripeness) |
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What is the principal grape of Gavi? |
Cortese (white) |
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Describe the characteristics of the Cortese grape |
- high acidity - pale colour - light-bodied - citrus, green apple, pear, floral - most drink young, some have potential for ageing |
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What are the top classifications in Gavi? |
Gavi DOCG Cortese di Gavi DOCG Gavi di Gavi DOCG (from town of Gavi) |
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What type of winemaking is typical for Gavi wines? |
protective winemaking (SO2) in stainless. some producers ferment in old oak, stir lees for complexity |
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