Wines of Italy

Number of DOCG in Italy

32

First five wine areas granted DOCG classification

Barolo, Barbaresco, Chianti, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Brunello di Montalcino

Two famous IGT wines. Name of the laws under this quality level

Sassicaia and Tignaello. Gloria laws

What does Superiore refer to in Italian wines

Designation of a Slightly higher alcohol content

Four important wine producing areas of Northwest Italy

Piedmont, Lombardi, Liguria, Emilia-Romangna

Important Appellations and towns in Piedmont

Barolo and Barbaresco; Asti, Alba, Roera, Gavi

Seven grapes found in Piedmont (4 red, 3 white)

Red: “BDN” - Barbera, Dolcetto, Nebiolo, (Brachetto)

Whote - Arneis, Cortese, Moscato

Italy region that has the most DOCGs and DOCs

Piemonte

Province and region of Piemonte that includes Alba, Barolo and Barbaresco

Cuneo province contains hLanghe

Towns where Barbera is significant

Alba and Asti

Significant wine made from Brachetto

Frizzante, lightly sparkling red wine found as Brachetto d’Acqui

2 white wines produced in the Piedmont region

Arneis, Cortese (di Gavi)

What are the two categories of Barbaresco and Barolo? Which wine has longer aging requirements?

Rosso and Riserva; Barolo

What are the two levels of Barbaresco and the minimum aging requirements?

Rosso: 26 months aging minimum, nine months in a barrel

Riserva: 50 months aging, nine months in a barrel

What are the two levels of Barolo and the minimum aging requirements?

Rosso: 38 months aging minimum, 18 months in a barrel

Riserva: 62 months aging, 18 months in a barrel

Two important Appellations and wines made from Nebbiolo grape in Piemonte

Barolo and Barbaresco

2 white and 1 red sparkling wines in the Piemonte region

Moscato d’Asti, Asti Spumante, Brachetto d’Acqui

Moscato wines

Moscato d’Asti, Asti Spumante

Traditional Italian cask used in the Veneto and Piedmont regions and wood type

“Botti” from Slovenian Oak, historically large to allow more passage of oxygen and impart subtle flavors and softer tannins

Lombardi, location in Italy and 2 DOCGs, name 1

Franciacorta and Valtellina

Lambrusco - style of wine and region of origin

Red, sparkling wine, usually sweet. Emilia-Romagna (parmesan cheese, cheese, and Parma hams)

Three wine producing areas of north eastern Italy

Veneto, Friuli-Venezia-Giulia, Trentino-Alto-Adige

significant white wine in the Veneto region

Soave

Grapes used to make Soave

Garganega and Trebbiano

Red Grapes indigenous to the Veneto region

Corvina, Rondinella, Molinara (Valpolicella)

Four main red wines from the Veneto

Bardolino, Valpolicella (Classico, Classico Superiore and Ripasso), Amarone Della Valpolicella, Recioto Della Valpolicella

Describe the passimento process

During the grapes up to three months on racks prior to fermentation, to Concentrate the sugars, acids, and flavors too increase the body and mouth feel of the wine

Describe the Ripasso technique and which Italian wine from Veneto is it used for?

Using the leftover skins/lees From Amarone production during a second fermentation of Valpolicella, to add body and structure creating a baby Amarone

Which Italian wines use passimemto?

Amarone (dry) and Recioto (sweet) and Valpolicella Ripasso

Degrees of evanescence for Prosecco

Spumante, frizzante, frizzantino

What is the newer name for the Prosecco grape?

Glee

Rosé Prosecco is made with which red grape

Pinot Nero

Which two regions is Prosecco derived from?

Veneto and Friuli

Name the most notable region in the Veneto for Prosecco

Conegliano-Valdobbidadene

Which wine is referred to as “the great bitter”?

Amarone

Define the dosage levels: Brut Nature, Extra Brut and Brut

• Brut Nature "Bone-Dry" (without dosage) - less than 3 g/l

• Can only be used to which sugar has not been added after the secondary fermentation

• Extra Brut "Very dry" - 0 to 6 g/I

• Brut "Dry" - 0 to 12 g/I

Important white varietals of Trentino-Alto-Adige

Cool weather, white wine grapes: Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Bianco

(Muller Thurgau,Sylvaner, Riesling and Gewurtztraminer)

Important red varietals of Trentino-Alto-Adige

Lagrein, Schiava Merlot

Important white wine grapes of Friuli

Pinot Grigio and Pinot Bianco

What are the main growing areas of Tuscany? Which Grape is the most important?

Chianti, Montalcino, Montepulciano and Tuscan Coast

What grapes make up Chianti and Chianti Classico DOCG?

Sangiovese predominates. Historically blended with

white grapes: Trebbiano and Malvasia, (except Chianti Classico), red grapes: Colorino and Caniolo. Small amount of International grapes like Cab Sauv and Cab Franc

What are the three levels of Chianti Classico DOCG?

Chianti Classico

Chianti Classico Reserva

Chianti Classico Seleziones

Minimum varietal requirement for Chianti Classico and aging requirement

80% Sangiovese, no white grapes, can use International varietals.

1 year aging

Minimum age requirement for Chianti Classico Riserva

24 months

Minimum grape, vineyard and aging requirement for Chianti Classico Seleziones

In 2027 standard minimum 90% Sangiovese

Estate grown

30 months aging minimum

Name two notable wines known as super Tuscan and what classification system level do they Fall under?

Sassicaia (Tuscan Coast) and Tignanello (from Antinori in Chianti)

Describe Vin Santo - grapes and minimum aging

Grape varieties - usu trebbiano and Malvasia

Grapes are dried

Minimum three year, aging and barrel and deliberately and oxidized

How many significant wine regions are in Italy?

20

What does the term classical refer to for Italian wines?

The original classic growing area rather than the expanded zone

How many Sub zones are in Chianti?

Seven

Which varietal is imp from Basilicata in Italy and name 3 DOCGs

Aglianico; Taurasi (tasted this), Taburn and Vulture

Puglia- important grape

Primitivo (Zinfandel)

Sicily - 2 important wines

Nero D’Avola FOC and Etna DOC

What grape is used to make Etna Rosso?

Nerello Macalese