A Tour of Italy
• Background and History • Italian Culture, Wine Laws and Varietals • Classic Regions • Northern Italy: Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Liguria, Trentino-Alto Adige, Piedmont • Central Italy: Tuscany • Southern Italy: Sicily
Background and History • Ancient Greeks named it “Oenotria” • End of 3rd century BC: vines throughout peninsula • 1st century BC – 7th century AD: Roman Empire • Italy “unified” in 1861 • 1963: DOC system introduced • 1992: Goria’s Law and new IGTs • 2008-2011: Huge increase in DOCGs pre-EU switch • Today: Largest exporter of wine to U.S.
All class outlines are copyright of Corkbuzz Wine Studio. Materials may be used for personal and non-commercial use only. Please do not reproduce or redistribute for any commercial purposes without express written consent.
Italian Culture and Style • Disparate regions, cultures, languages, climate, terrain • Strong pride in local heritage/culture • Love for food and wine and traditions to enjoy them • Wine and food go together (and grow together)
Italian Quality System • Denominazione di Origine Controllata à Denominazione di Origine Protetta • Modeled after French AOC system • DOCG: “guaranteed” • Indicazione Geografica Tipica à Indicazione Geografica Protetta • Vino da Tavola • Credibility and the current perspective on the system…
Northern Italy: Friuli-Venezia Giulia • Bordering Slovenia • Modern winemaking techniques • Experimental; some super old-school producers • Picolit, Ribolla Gialla, Friulano, Verduzzo; Sauvignon, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay • Refosco, Pignolo, Schiopettino; Merlot, Cabernet Sauvigon, Cabernet Franc Tasting component
Northern Italy: Liguria • Coastal mountains • Mediterranean climate • Steep, terraced vineyards • Pigato, Vermentino, Bosco • Ormeasco, Sangiovese, Rossese Tasting component
Northern Italy: Trentino-Alto Adige • Northeastern Italy • Cooler, mountainous • Grouped together but two different regions: Italian/German • Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Bianco, Müller-Thurgau, Sauvignon Blanc • Schiava, Lagrein, Teroldego, Refosco, Marzemino + international varietals Tasting component
All class outlines are copyright of Corkbuzz Wine Studio. Materials may be used for personal and non-commercial use only. Please do not reproduce or redistribute for any commercial purposes without express written consent.
Northern Italy: Piedmont • Northwestern Italy, bordering France (to the West) • “Foot of the mountain” – surrounded by Apennines and Alps • Nebbiolo grape • Also Barbera and Dolcetto (red) • Cortese, Arneis, Muscat (white) and many others • Gavi and Asti • Barolo v. Barbaresco • Other “value” Nebbiolo: Langhe, Roero, Gattinara, Ghemme, Carema • Recent vintages… Tasting component
Central Italy: Tuscany • Hills between sea and Apennine Mountains • Diverse soil and climate • Legislation delimiting Chianti zone dates to 1716 • Downfall of Chianti and rise of the “Super Tuscan” IGT • Chianti Classico • Brunello di Montalcino • Sangiovese grape reigns • Also Colorino and Canaiolo • Trebbiano Toscano, Vernaccia, Vermentino Tasting component
Big “B”… Barolo v. Barbaresco v. Brunello Barolo and Barbaresco: both 100% Nebbiolo from hills around Alba, Piedmont Barolo: • Five communes south and west of Alba broken into many individual crus • Slightly warmer climate, more masculine versions • Three years minimum aging (two in barrel) Barbaresco: • Three communes north and east of Alba • Slightly cooler climate, slightly finer versions • Two years minimum aging (one in barrel) Other Piedmont Nebbiolo: Langhe, Roero, Carema, Gattinara, Ghemme, Bramaterra
All class outlines are copyright of Corkbuzz Wine Studio. Materials may be used for personal and non-commercial use only. Please do not reproduce or redistribute for any commercial purposes without express written consent.
Brunello: 100% Brunello strain of Sangiovese from hills of Montalcino, Tuscany • South of Chianti, south of Siena • Hotter climate, more limestone soil, more powerful Sangiovese • Four years minimum aging (two in barrel)
Other Tuscan Sangiovese: Chianti, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Morellino di Scansano Super Tuscans: • Unofficial category of Tuscan wine that doesn’t follow DOC(G) requirements • IGT / Vino da Tavola / new DOCs • Usually involves a blend of international varietals
Southern Italy: Tuscany • Traditionally, quantity over quality • Quality surge of late • Better vineyards at altitude • Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG • Volcanic soil in Etna • Fortified: Marsala • Catarratto, Inzolia, Grillo, Grecanico, Carricante, Zibbibo, Malvasia (white) • Nero d’Avola, Frappato, Perricone, Nerello Mascalese, Nerello Cappuccio (red) Tasting component
All class outlines are copyright of Corkbuzz Wine Studio. Materials may be used for personal and non-commercial use only. Please do not reproduce or redistribute for any commercial purposes without express written consent.