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143 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
Biggest Climate factor of Italy |
Mediterranean Sea. Most places not more than 75 miles from it. Still, huge variations exist, esp N vs S. Also mountainous (except for Po river valley and Puglia) |
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Role of the Alps in N. Italy |
Holds back bad weather from the North, provides high elevation vineyard sites with wide diurnal temperature ranges. |
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Top Grape Varieties in Italy (by acreage) |
1. Sangiovese 2. Trebbiano 3. Catarratto 4. Montepulciano 5. Merlot 6. Barbera 7. Negroamaro 8. Malvasia 9. Pinot Grigio 10. Nero d'Avola 11. Chardonnay 12. Lamrusco 13. Cabernet Sauvignon 14. Garganega 15. Moscato |
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History of Italian Wine Laws |
Origins in 1700s in Grand Duchy of Tuscany delineating Chianti. Modern regulations follow EU framework and French appellation controlée. |
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Italian wine law categories |
vino/vino varietali (formerly vino da tavola)- minimal restrictions. 40% of Italy's production IGT- created in 92 to accomodate wine beyond the basic category but that was more non-traditional DOC- one of Italy's PDO categories. Lengthy restrictions. DOCG- controlled and "guaranteed". higher than DOC. 1980 Brunello di Montalcino was the first, followed by Barolo |
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Percent of wine in Italy that is DOC/DOCG |
1/3 |
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Classico |
indicates a central, or historic area within a larger region. Often the historic center and/or superior |
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Superiore |
has a higher level of alcohol by volume that required of the corresponding 'normale' wine |
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Riserva |
applied to wines that have been aged for a longer minimum amount of time that the non riserva counterparts |
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Veneto Geography and climate |
South and East are flat with river sediment (Po forms S border). Other important rivers are the Adige and Piave North and Western Sections are mountainous, and here in the band of foothills most of the wine is grown. Varied climate. Flatlands can get hot and humid, mountain regions remain cool and breezy and are very cold in the winter. Lake Garda moderates the temperatures |
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Main Grape Varieties of Veneto |
Red: Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella, and Molinara. Corvina considered the best quality. White: Garganega (for Soave), Glera (for prosecco) International: Merlot in particular, also Cab Franc/S, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Bianco, Chard |
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Wine styles of Veneto |
Produces slightly more white than red (a lot of it Prosecco). Noted for its dried grape wines. |
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Glera/Prosecco |
Prosecco used to be another name for Glera, the grape used in Prosecco, but as 2010 they tightened regulations of the used of the term Prosecco and Glera is the official name of the grape |
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Appassimento |
Process of drying ripe bunches of grapes, set out to dry until mid January or longer. Grapes lose up to 60% of their water content. Cool, long fermentation follows. To make recioto, fermentation is stopped while there is still sugar, for Amarone it is fermented dry. |
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Recioto |
Sweet wine produced in veneto through the Appasimento process |
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Ripasso |
Process of reusing using the (book says lees, I think it is pomace) from Amarone production, going through a short fermentation with the extra to amp up the alcohol, tannin, and flavor. |
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DOCGs within the Valpolicella DOC |
Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG Recioto della Valoplicella DOCG |
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Amarone DOCG requirements |
-- min 20 months barrel aging --min 14% abv |
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Valpolicella DOC requirements |
--min 11% abv --can blend Corvina, Corvione, Rondinella, and Molinara (usually sm %) --Classico can be used for growers in the heart of the appellation --Superiore is aged at least one year and has min alcohol of 12% |
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chiaretto |
Italian term for rosé |
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Bardoline DOC and Bardolino DOCG
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Similar requirements to Valpolicella.
Produced just to the east of Lake Garda
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Soave |
Appellations: Soave DOC, Soave DOCG, Recioto di Soave DOCG Main Grape: Garganega (min 70%), can be blended with Trebbiano di Soave (verdicchio) and/or Chardonnay. |
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Prosecco |
Appellations: Prosecco DOC, Conegliano-Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG, Colli Asolani DOCG Main Grape: Glera (min 85%), rest Verdiso, Perera, Bianchetta, Pinot Nero (as a white0 |
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Lugana DOC |
Straddles border b/n Veneto and Lombardy. White wine. Made from Trebbiano di Lugana (closely related to Verdicchio) |
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Piave DOC |
Makes both traditional and modern wines. Piave Malanotte DOCG only does red wines based on indigenous Raboso grape, but the DOCG occupies same area as the Piave DOC Lison DOCG in same area approved only for whites made with Friuliano |
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IGT output of Veneto |
80%. International varieties are an important element of the region |
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Trentino-Alto Adige |
Northernmost region of Italy, borders Austria, Lake Garda to the S (moderating) Alto Adige: German language/grape influence. Trentine: S half, more Italian speaking. Lake moderates temps. Vineyards tucked in valleys between mountains |
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Primary DOCs of Trentino-Alto Adige |
Adige DOC, Trentino DOC, and the overarching Valadige. Allows a variety of grapes, usually varietally labeled |
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Principal Grapes of Trentino-Alto Adige |
White: Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Bianco, Muller-Thurgau, Traminer (Gewurz) Red: Cab Franc, Cab Sauv, Lagrein, Merlot, Marzemino, Schiava, Teroldego |
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Sparkling Wine appellation of Trentino |
Trento DOC
Made with the traditional Method |
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Friuli-Venezia Giulia grape varieties |
International (main): Cab Sauv, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir/nero, Pinot Grigio, Riesling, Sauv blanc Red: Refosco White: Verduzzo, Fruliano (previously Tocai Fruliano. A Sauv blanc relative), Picolit |
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Friuli Colli Orientalli DOC/DOCG |
DOCG is sweet wine from Picolit grape. The DOC has a long list of allowed grapes, often bottled as varietal wines. Near slovenian border |
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Collio Goriziano DOC |
AKA "Collio" Near Slovenian border. Lots of allowed grape varieties. Collio Bianco= white blends Ribolla Gialla= orange wines |
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Ribolla Gialla |
Type of grape variety Made in Friuli-Venezia Giulia, in Collio DOC near Slovenia. Orange wines...white wines with extended skin contact made in oxidized style. |
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Ramandolo DOCG |
Made in Friuli-Venezia Giulia sweet white wine from Verduzzo (indigenous variety) |
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Rosazzo DOCG |
Made in Friuli-Venezia Giulia dry white wines with min 50% Friulano (with Sauv blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot bianco, and Ribolla Gialla rounding out) |
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Biggest producers of DOC/DOCG wines in Italy |
#1- Veneto #2- Piemonte |
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Piedmont Geogrpahy and Climate |
flat basin of the end of the Po valley surrounded on three sides by the Alps and Alpennines. Flat areas too fertile for good grapes. Diverse topography and soil. Cut off in part from Med influences, winters are cold w/ snow. Summers are warm and dry. Fog in the fall. |
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Grape varieties of Piedmont |
Red: Nebbiolo (high acid/tannin), Barbaera (high acid, low tannin), as well as Dolcetto, Freisa, Grignolino, and Brachetto. White: Moscato, Arneis, Cortese Some Chard and PN for sparkling, but mainly focused on indigenous varieties. |
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Wine styles of Piedmont |
Mostly red, in a range from powerful concentrated to easy drinking. Common thread of notable acidity. Sparkling wine made in both the traditional and tank method, and range of sweetness. Still whites are usually medium bodied with delicate aromatics. |
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Piedmont Appellation spread |
Most DOCG/DOCs of any region (16 DOCGs, 40 DOCS). There are no IGTs. |
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Piemonte DOC |
Covers entire Piedmont region, allows a variety of grapes, and still and sparkling wines |
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Langhe DOC |
Somehwat smaller than general Piemonte DOC, contains several village sized appellations. |
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Main appellations of Piedmont are tied to what grape variety? |
Nebbiolo |
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Barolo DOCG |
100% Nebbiolo Intense, dry, robust but velvety red wine. Usually tannic and high in alcohol. minimum aging of 38 months riserva min aging of 62 months |
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Barbaresco DOCG |
100% Nebbiolo Slightly more elegant than Barolo minimum aging of 26 months (less than Barolo) riserva aging min 50 months |
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Aging requirements of Barolo |
min 38 months |
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Aging requirements of Barolo riserva |
min 62 months |
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Aging requirements of Barbaresco |
min 26 months |
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Aging requirements of Barbaresco riserva |
min 50 months |
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Asti DOCG |
Spumante (full sparkling) based on Moscato (Muscat) grapes fermentating is stopped later than with Moscato d'Asti, at around 7-9% abv, resulting in more carbonation and 5atm bottle pressure. *trad method bottle ferment also allowed under DOCG rules |
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Moscato d'Asti DOCG |
Frizzante (fizzy, not as carbonated as Spumante) based on Moscato grapes fermenting wine is chilled and stopped at around 5% abv, resulting in a low alc slightly carbonated wine |
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Spumante vs. Frizzante |
Fully sparkling vs. lightly carbonated Asti DOCG vs Moscato d'Asti DOCG |
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Moscato and Moscato d'Asti are made using what method |
Partial Fermentation (fermented in a tank, halted part way by colder temps leaving residual sugar) |
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Barbera d'Asti DOCG |
Large region of over 11,000 acres surrounding town of Asti. Approved in 2008 as a DOCG for the Barbera variety. As of 2014 Nizza subregion entered final approval process as separate barbera-based DOCG (will be Piedmont's 17th DOCG) |
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Roero DOCG |
Red and white wines Red: less concentrated Nebbiolo based wine from region across the Ranaro river from Barbaresco White: Roero Arneis- from fragrent Arneis variety |
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Gattinara and Ghemme DOCGS |
Nebbiolo based from northern part of Piedmont. Here the name for Nebbiolo is Spanna. |
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Gavi DOCG |
AKA Cortese di Gavi or Gavi di Gavi Crisp floral white made from Cortese grape SE corner of Piedmont |
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Acqui DOCG |
AKA Brachetto d'Acqui sweet sparkling red made in same manner of Moscato d'Asti but from the BRACHETTO grape. Floral, berry aromas |
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Varietal named DOC/Gs in Piedmont |
EX: Barbera d'Alba DOC, Dolcetto di Dogliani Superiore DOCG, Grignolingo d'Asti DOC Typically 100% from the named variety |
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Vermouth- What and Where |
fortified wine with herbs, spices and other aromatics. Italian vermouth is usually red and sweet. Made in Piedmont. |
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Lombardy geographic location |
center of the section of the Alps that forms Italy's N border. Between Piedmonte and Veneto/Trentino-Alto adige. |
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Wines of Lombardy |
Franciacorta DOCG (sparkling traditional method) Valtellina appellations: one of the few places outside Piedmont doing Nebbiolo successfully. |
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Franciacorta DOCG wine and regulations |
--Tradtional Method sparkling --Using Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco, and Pinot Nero --Can be white or rosé --NV aged for min 18 months on lees, starting Feb 1 after harvest --Vintage min 30 months aging -- Riserva require 60 months min --Saten: blanc de blancs style and only 5 atm pressure only needs 24 months |
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Valtellina Wine |
from Valtellina, a narrow east/west valley in the Alp foothills. Makes wine using nebbiolo.
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Valtellina Rosso DOC and Valtellina Superiore DOCG |
Lombardy, in Valtellina valley. Both require minimum 90% nebbiolo |
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Sfortzo di Valtellina DOCG |
Lombardy. High alcohol, dry wine made with min 90% nebbiolo, which are partially dried before fermentation. |
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Subzones of Valtellina
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Grumello Inferno Maroggia Sassella Stagafassli Valgella
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Chiavennasca |
Lombady local name for Nebbiolo |
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Tuscany's signature grape variety |
Sangiovese |
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Tuscany Geography and Climate |
West coast of the peninsula, north of Rome. Emilia Romagna to the NE and Umbria and Lazio to the SE. Mediterranean climate, with extremes of temperatures in the inland valleys, where summers are very hot. |
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Tuscany Grape varieties |
Red: Sangiovese (with hundreds of clones, with different color, aromaics, tannin) Red: Blending grapes: Canaiolo Nero, Colorino (color and tannin) International: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Pinot Noir. White: Trebbiano, Malvasia, Vernaccia. Intl- Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc |
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Tuscany wine styles |
Very red wine focused (85% of production) Traditional reds all Sangiovese based. Light colored, high acid, moderate tannin. Cherry and red berry flavors. |
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Governo |
Technique revived in Chianti. Ovverripe grapes crushed and added to new wine that is finishing fermentation. Different phemolics, richer softer wine with higher alcohol. |
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White wines of Tuscany |
Mostly simply, made for local consumption. Exception is Vernaccia made in San Gimignano with pear and almond aromas |
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Vin Santo |
Specialty of Tuscany, though it is made all over Italy. Desert wine. Grapes harvested and then dried. Then crushed and placed in barrels with lees from previous vintage, initiating fermentation. Barrels are sealed and kept for minimum of 3 years and exposed to temp extremes. Mainly made from Trebbiano and Malvasia grpaes. Usually sweet but can be dry. |
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Super-Tuscans |
Chianti DOC required blending of Sangiovese with indigenous grapes including white. In late 60s, winemakers deviated from this and had to label it table wine. Chianti and Chianti classico have since changed their rules allowing 100% sangiovese Now use the IGT Toscana designation |
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Examples of the original Super Tuscans |
Tenuta San Guido's Sassicaia (Cab sauv/cab franc blend released starting in 1968) Antinori's Tignanello (Sang/Cab sauv blend) and Solaia (cab sauv and cab franc) |
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Chianti Classico DOCG |
Historic heart of Chianti, in the hills and valleys between Florence and Siena. --min 80%, (can be up to 100%) Sangiovese --as of 2006, white grapes excluded --min 12% abv --cannot be released until a year after harvest --Riserva requires two years of aging |
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Chianti Classico Gran Selezione (grand selection) |
Withing Chianti Classico DOCG. --Exclusively from estate grown grapes --30 month min aging |
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Chianti DOC subzones (7) |
Colli Aretini Colli Fiorentini Colli Senesi Colline Pisane Montalbano Montespertoli Rufina |
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Requirements to name Chianti subzone on label |
Must meet stricter standards for vineyard density/ yield, min alcohol level, and aging |
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Chianti Superiore |
little used designation. Can come from anywhere in the Chianti zone, but with standards equal or higher to those in the subzones. |
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Chianti Riserva |
To quality as a riserva, a Chianti must: --age for a min of two years before release -- have at least .5 abv more than the regular Chianti |
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Brunello di Montalcino DOCG |
From hill town of Montalcino --Made with 100% Sangiovese (locally called Brunello) --one of the more powerful expressions of Sangiovese -- Min four years aging (five for riserva) --min two years in wood --at least four months in bottle (6 for riserva) |
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Rosso di Montalcino DOC |
Appellation available to growers in Montalcino to use with ligher, shorter aged wines compared to Brunello di Montalcino |
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Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG |
NOT MADE FROM MONTEPULCIANO! Montepulciano is the name of the village --min 70% sangiovese --Aged min two years (one in oak). 3 for riserva --Rosso di Montepulciano DOC exists for lighter less aged wines. |
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Local Tuscan synonyms for Sangiovese |
Brunello Prugnolo Gentile Morellino |
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Carmignano DOCG |
--In tiny zone west of Florence --Introduced Cab S and Cab F over a century ago (before the super Tuscans) --Requires 10-20% of either Cabernet in blend |
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Maremma |
Coastal area of Tuscany. Med breezes keeps the temp moderated. Originating region of the Super-Tuscan movement. |
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Appellations created in response to the Super Tuscans |
Bolgheri DOC Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC Maremma Toscana DOC |
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Bolgheri DOC |
Created in response to super Tuscans. Red and white blends. Vin Santo also made |
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Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC |
Created in 2013 for red wines with minimum 80% Cabernet Sauvignon |
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Maremma Toscana DOC |
Elevated from IGT status in 2011 |
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Vernaccia di San Gimignano DOCG |
Tuscany's best known white wine. --made from Vernaccia --almond, mineral, earth. --can bottle age Grape variety is ancient, Mentioned in Divine Comedy. Fell out of favor in WWII, revived. Promoted to DOCG in 1993 |
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Tuscan Vin santo Appellations |
Vin Santo del Chianti DOC Santo del Chianti Classico DOC Vin Santo di Montepulciano DOC Also can be made in Pomino, Elba, and Vin Santo di Carmignano DOC |
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Emilia-Romagna Geography |
Triangular region diagonal across the top of the peninsula. Much of it in the Po Valley. Ample sun and moderate temperature. |
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Romagna Albana DOCG |
First white to get DOCG status. Made with Albana grape. DOCG covers a range of styles and abv levels. |
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DOCs dedicated to Lambrusco |
Lambrusco Salamino di Santa Croce DOC Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro DOC Lambrusco di Sorbara DOC |
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Lambrusco |
Usually frizzante and slighlty sweet. But can be dry or sweet. Rosé versions also exist. |
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Lambrusco Moantovano DOC is within which region? |
Lombardy (not Emilia-Romagna) |
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Marches (Le Marche) Grapes |
White: Verdicchio (main), Pecorino, Passerina Red: Montepulciano and Sangiovese |
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Castelli di Jesi Verdicchio Riserva DOCG |
In Le Marches. Crisp but neutral white wine made with the Verdicchio grape. |
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Verdicchio di Matelica Riserva DOCG |
In Le Marches. Crisp but neutral white wine made with the Verdicchio grape. |
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Conero DOCG and Rosso Conero DOC |
Red wines blending Montepulicano Grape with Sangiovese. --min 80% Montepulciano --up to 15% Sangiovese --higher agining and alcohol levels for DOCG |
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Rosse Piceno DOC |
In Le Marches. Red blend of 35-85% Montepulciano and 15-20% Sangiovese |
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Montepulciano d'Abruzzo DOC |
Abruzzo wine region --min 85% Montepulciano --Sangiovese allowed as blending grape |
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Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Colline Teramane DOCG |
Abruzzo wine region Like Montepulciano d'Abruzzo DOC, but requires higher % of Montepulciano. |
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Leading white wine of Abruzzo Region |
Trebbiano d'Abruzzo, made from Trebbiano grapes. |
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Orvieto DOC |
In Umbria wine region --white --Grechetto and Trebbiano grapes --dry (secco) or semidry (abbocatto or amabile) |
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Montefalco Sagrantino DOCG |
In Umbria wine region --red -- 100% Sagrantino grapes |
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Torgiano Rosso Riserva DOCG |
In Umbria wine region --red --minimum 70% Sangiovese |
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Well known appellations of Lazio and grape varieties |
Frascati DOC Cannelliono di Frascati DOCG Frascati Superiore DOCG Est! Est!! Est!! di Montefiascone DOC (lol) All based on Trebbiano and Malvasia |
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Southern Italy wine history and reputation |
Wine grapes cultivated for 3000 years. In modernity largely regarded as place for bulk wine production, though quality has increased and there are DOC and DOCG wines there. |
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Taurasi DOCG |
In Campania wine region --red wine --from Aglianico grape (bold variety with good aging potential |
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Vesuvio DOC |
In Campania wine region. Known for Lacryma Christi del Vesuvio (tears of Christ) produced in red, white, rosato, sparkling, and fortified verision |
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White wine DOCGs of Campania produced on volcanic soil |
Fiano di Avellino DOCG Greco di Tufo DOCG |
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Ciro DOCG |
Most prominent appellation of Calabria --Red uses Gaglioppo grape --white (only a little made) uses Greco Bianco --Riservas have long aging potential |
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Greco di Bianco DOC |
Calabria Dessert wine made using partially dried grapes around the town of Bianco, using Greco Bianco grapes. |
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Important grapes of Apulia (Puglia) |
Negroamaro, Montepulciano, Sangiovese, Barbera, Aleatico, and Primitvo (close relative of Zinfandel) |
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Salice Salentino DOC |
From Puglia, based on Negroamaro |
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Primitivo di Manduria Dolce Naturle DOCG |
Puglia's first DOCG. Sweet, late harvest wine. |
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Sicily wine production |
Normally rivals Veneto for production stats. Previously more than 2/3 of production was basic wine, and less than 5% was PDO level. However, as of 2012, IGT Sicilia was replaced by Sicilia DOC. |
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Main red grape of Siciliy |
Nero d'Avola |
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Sicily has how many DOCGs? |
One: Cerasuolo di Vittoria --blend of Nero d'Avola and Frappato (aromatic low tannin grape) |
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Marsala DOC |
In Sicily. Fortified wine Grapes: Catarratto, Grillo, Inzolia, etc. Three Types: oro (golden), ambra (amber), and rubino (ruby) Each can made dry to sweet. |
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Marsala DOC sweetness levels |
Secco: Dry, max 4% RS semisecco: semidry 4-10% RS dolce: sweet, 10%+ RS |
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Marsala Aging lengths |
Fine- min one year Superiore- min two years Superiore Riserva- 4+ years Vergine- solera system min 5 yrs Solera- solera system min 5 yrs Vergine Stravecchio Riserva- min 10 yrs in cask |
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Sardina Production |
Higher percentage of DOC and DOCG wines compared to rest of south, since there are several DOCs that cover all of most of the island
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Cannonau di Sardegna DOC |
Sardinia Red wine made from min 80% Cannonau (90% for Riserva) Grapes can be grown anywhere in Sardinia |
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Vermentino di Gallura DOCG |
Most prized Vermentino appellation of Sardinia. Aromatic white wine made with Vermentino |
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Key grape varieties of Friuli-Venezia Giulia |
Friulano, Refosco, Picolit, Int'l
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Key grapes of Umbria |
Grechetto Trebbiano Sargrantino Sangiovese |
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Key Grapes of Marche |
Verdicchio Montepulciano Sangiovese |
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Key Grapes of Lazio |
Malvasia Trebbiano |
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Key Grapes of Abruzzo |
Montepulciano Trebbiano |
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Key Grapes of Campania |
Aglianico Greco Fiano |
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Key grape of Calabria |
Gaglioppo |
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Key grapes of Sicilia |
Inzolia Catarratto Grillo Nero d'Avola Frappato |
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Key grapes of Sardegna (Sardinia) |
Cannonau (Grenache) Vermentino |
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Key grapes of Trentino-Alto Adige |
Pinto Grigio Pinot Bianco Lagrein Teroldego International varieties |
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Key grapes of Piemonte |
Nebbiolo Moscato Brachetto Barbera Dolcetto Cortese |
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Key grapes of Veneto |
Corvina Molinara Rondinella Garganega Glera Pinot Grigio Int'l varieties |