Abruzzo - montelpulciano abruzzo
Aosta Valley - western alps along the french border
Apulia - the heel of the boot
Basilicata - instep
Calabria - toe of the boot
Campania - shin
Emilia -Romagna - north, around Bologna
Friuli - Venezia Giulia - friulano
Latium - surrounding Roma
Liguria - north coast, french side
Lombardy - central alps
Marches - adriatic side
Molise - lower adriatic
Piedmont - asti, barbera, barbaresco. No IGT
Sardinia - island
Sicily - island
Trentino - Alto Adige -eastern alps
Tuscany - where grapes preceeded mankind. Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino
Umbria - central
Veneto - Soave, Valpolicella
Sunday, April 25, 2010
italian wine facts
three ways to label wine in italy
1. grape and region
moscato d'asti, brunello d'montelicino
2. regional name
chianti, soave
3 fantasy name
sassicia
--------------------------------------------------
italy didnt truly have electricity until the mid 1980s!
with it came refrigeration, and temperature controlled fermentation, resulting in more finesse especially in whites. slower fermentation creates more glycerol, adds elegance and ensures all the sugar is consumed but the yeasts.
vineyard management also led to improvements. no trellising, canopy management have improved the quality in the wines.
1. grape and region
moscato d'asti, brunello d'montelicino
2. regional name
chianti, soave
3 fantasy name
sassicia
--------------------------------------------------
italy didnt truly have electricity until the mid 1980s!
with it came refrigeration, and temperature controlled fermentation, resulting in more finesse especially in whites. slower fermentation creates more glycerol, adds elegance and ensures all the sugar is consumed but the yeasts.
vineyard management also led to improvements. no trellising, canopy management have improved the quality in the wines.
prosecco charmant
prosecco is the grape variety and the name of the wine
comes from the Veneto and made with the Charmat process
prosecco used to be trellised overhead, but because of the all the non-grape specific production required of the vine in this format, the wine was less than perfect. All the growing season went towards leaf production, and with the overhead trellis, it was impossible to trim the canopy, and the water and energy were lost in all the extra feet of trunk.
in the mid to late 80's these trellises were ripped up and replanted single guyot. with a much higher quality of wine has resulted
Charmant is also known as tank fermentation.
process is the wine is fermented bone dry, usually letting the resultant gas escape
(although the gas can be kept in the wine, and bottled with the first fermentation)
resulting dry still wine is placed in a tank with a chapeau, or a closed tank, and sugar and yeast are added.
not much is needed,
4g per liter for frizzante
6g per liter for spumante
plus extra for any desired residual sweetness. wine is pumped out of the tank, directly though a filter and bottled directly with gas but no yeast in the bottle.
comes from the Veneto and made with the Charmat process
prosecco used to be trellised overhead, but because of the all the non-grape specific production required of the vine in this format, the wine was less than perfect. All the growing season went towards leaf production, and with the overhead trellis, it was impossible to trim the canopy, and the water and energy were lost in all the extra feet of trunk.
in the mid to late 80's these trellises were ripped up and replanted single guyot. with a much higher quality of wine has resulted
Charmant is also known as tank fermentation.
process is the wine is fermented bone dry, usually letting the resultant gas escape
(although the gas can be kept in the wine, and bottled with the first fermentation)
resulting dry still wine is placed in a tank with a chapeau, or a closed tank, and sugar and yeast are added.
not much is needed,
4g per liter for frizzante
6g per liter for spumante
plus extra for any desired residual sweetness. wine is pumped out of the tank, directly though a filter and bottled directly with gas but no yeast in the bottle.
Monday, April 19, 2010
italian wine
vdt
vino de tavola
table wine. no limits. red white or rose.
igt 1992
indicazione graphica tipica
loose rules, open laws, broad regional styles. 130 IGT none in piedmont
doc 1963
deniminazione de origine controllata - represents 'style of the region'
region
vintage
min abv
varietals
yield
docg 1963
deniminazione de origine controllata garantita
same as doc, but double panel tasting ensures the wine is of proper regional style
all docg must be aged, ex barolo, 3 years and 5 years for riserva
need 5 years at doc before docg
Superiore
.5 to 1% more alcohol that what doc/g allows, is labeled as superiore
Riserva
lower yields and min aging requirements
Classico
refers to the original delimited doc area, the heart of the area and usually the oldest producers
vino de tavola
table wine. no limits. red white or rose.
igt 1992
indicazione graphica tipica
loose rules, open laws, broad regional styles. 130 IGT none in piedmont
doc 1963
deniminazione de origine controllata - represents 'style of the region'
region
vintage
min abv
varietals
yield
docg 1963
deniminazione de origine controllata garantita
same as doc, but double panel tasting ensures the wine is of proper regional style
all docg must be aged, ex barolo, 3 years and 5 years for riserva
need 5 years at doc before docg
Superiore
.5 to 1% more alcohol that what doc/g allows, is labeled as superiore
Riserva
lower yields and min aging requirements
Classico
refers to the original delimited doc area, the heart of the area and usually the oldest producers
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Castilla y Leon
Castilla y Lyon is out of green spain, away from the ocean, protected by the Cantabrian mountains, creating a rain shadow effect.
Rueda
red clay, brings a freshness to verdejo. bright fruit, tropical, guava grapefruit
Toro
Hot and dry sandy soil, resisted phylloxera and as a result there are staggered aged old bush vines
the grape is called Tinto de Toro and is a thick skinned clone of tempranillo
dark fruit, spiced, tobacco, roasted meat, french oak
Ribera del Duero
along the Duero river banks, high altitude, dry chalky red soil, growing Tinto Fino and Tinta del Pais
also clones of Tempranillo growing in bush vines
complex, earthy reds, with smoked meat and spice
Bierzo
furthest east region in Castilla y Leon, higher altitude, more sun, and drier than Ribera Sacra with the rainshadow from the Cantabrian mountains. Mencia is the grape here, and it is richer, and more oak is used.
Rueda
red clay, brings a freshness to verdejo. bright fruit, tropical, guava grapefruit
Toro
Hot and dry sandy soil, resisted phylloxera and as a result there are staggered aged old bush vines
the grape is called Tinto de Toro and is a thick skinned clone of tempranillo
dark fruit, spiced, tobacco, roasted meat, french oak
Ribera del Duero
along the Duero river banks, high altitude, dry chalky red soil, growing Tinto Fino and Tinta del Pais
also clones of Tempranillo growing in bush vines
complex, earthy reds, with smoked meat and spice
Bierzo
furthest east region in Castilla y Leon, higher altitude, more sun, and drier than Ribera Sacra with the rainshadow from the Cantabrian mountains. Mencia is the grape here, and it is richer, and more oak is used.
Galicia DOs
Riberio was made a DO in 1988
Its main grape is Treixadura, a floral yet lean mineral white
aluvial soils with clay and limestone
A lot of wines from Riberio are field blends, mixed with Albarino, and Godello
Valdeorras literally 'valley of gold' DO 1945
Godello is the most important grape. Fatter and fleshy, but still able to maintain acid and minerality
Vina Godeval was a 12th century monastery
Runs along the river Sil with exposed diverse soils
Rias Baixas DO 1988
The most known of the Galician DOs
Albarino is the grape, floral, salty, mineral, grassy
Runs along the Mino river in parts (O Rosal)
5 sub regions
O Rosal, Condado de Tea are the important ones?
Vines are trellised due to moisture, allowing breezes to dry
Vintage variation due to early rains at harvest time
Moneterrei
Monterrei is a small inland DO, wikipedia says it was a DO in 1960 but then suspended until 1994
Local whites make up the grapes, treixadura, dona blanca and godello, with a little bit of mencia and tempranillo
Ribera Sacra 'Sacred Banks'
Was made a DO in 1997 but vines have been planted since the 12th century on terraced hillsides above the Mido and Sil rivers
Menica is the dominant grape, with some albarino and godello
Aluvial over slate subsoil
Its main grape is Treixadura, a floral yet lean mineral white
aluvial soils with clay and limestone
A lot of wines from Riberio are field blends, mixed with Albarino, and Godello
Valdeorras literally 'valley of gold' DO 1945
Godello is the most important grape. Fatter and fleshy, but still able to maintain acid and minerality
Vina Godeval was a 12th century monastery
Runs along the river Sil with exposed diverse soils
Rias Baixas DO 1988
The most known of the Galician DOs
Albarino is the grape, floral, salty, mineral, grassy
Runs along the Mino river in parts (O Rosal)
5 sub regions
O Rosal, Condado de Tea are the important ones?
Vines are trellised due to moisture, allowing breezes to dry
Vintage variation due to early rains at harvest time
Moneterrei
Monterrei is a small inland DO, wikipedia says it was a DO in 1960 but then suspended until 1994
Local whites make up the grapes, treixadura, dona blanca and godello, with a little bit of mencia and tempranillo
Ribera Sacra 'Sacred Banks'
Was made a DO in 1997 but vines have been planted since the 12th century on terraced hillsides above the Mido and Sil rivers
Menica is the dominant grape, with some albarino and godello
Aluvial over slate subsoil
Galicia / Green Spain
Galicia is called green spain due to its atlantic climate, cool temperatures and the fact that it is quite green and lush with vegetation.
Aluvial soils, from the two major rivers Mino and Sil (Xil)
Lots of rain, meaning less sun, meaning lower ABC whites, more humidity ripening
5 D.O.'s in Galicia and their most important grapes
Ribiera - Treixedura
Rias Biaxas - Albarino
Valdeorras - Godello
Ribera Sacra - Bierzo
Monterrei
Aluvial soils, from the two major rivers Mino and Sil (Xil)
Lots of rain, meaning less sun, meaning lower ABC whites, more humidity ripening
5 D.O.'s in Galicia and their most important grapes
Ribiera - Treixedura
Rias Biaxas - Albarino
Valdeorras - Godello
Ribera Sacra - Bierzo
Monterrei
Sunday, April 4, 2010
priorat / montsant / catalunya
along the Mediterranean coast, south of Barcelona is Catalunya and amongst the important Catalunya regions are
Priorat DO 1989 DOQ 2001
Montsant DO 2001
Montsant surrounds Priorat, but Priorat has a special soil, mineral rich slate and quartzite called Llicorela
grapes are
Garnacha
Carinena = Mazuelo
Syrah
Cab Sauv
Merlot
white grapes
Garnacha Blanca
Pedro Ximinez
Priorat DO 1989 DOQ 2001
Montsant DO 2001
Montsant surrounds Priorat, but Priorat has a special soil, mineral rich slate and quartzite called Llicorela
grapes are
Garnacha
Carinena = Mazuelo
Syrah
Cab Sauv
Merlot
white grapes
Garnacha Blanca
Pedro Ximinez
Spanish Old School VS Modern styles
Old School
high acid,
light color,
longer aging
american oak
lower abv
barnyard, musty
whole bunch fermentation
Modern
concentrated
darker tannins
french oak
higher abv
ready to drink
grape selection
high acid,
light color,
longer aging
american oak
lower abv
barnyard, musty
whole bunch fermentation
Modern
concentrated
darker tannins
french oak
higher abv
ready to drink
grape selection
Spanish Aging Rules
In Rioja, Navarra, and Ribera del Duero they have the same aging requirements, everywhere else, the times are 6 months less. All times are MINIMUM
Vino Joven or Roble
less than 6 months in wood. can mean no wood at all.
Crianza 'aged'
1 year in oak, 1 year in a bottle
Reserva
1 year oak, 2 years in the bottle
Grand Reserva
2 year oak, and 3 years bottle
Vino Joven or Roble
less than 6 months in wood. can mean no wood at all.
Crianza 'aged'
1 year in oak, 1 year in a bottle
Reserva
1 year oak, 2 years in the bottle
Grand Reserva
2 year oak, and 3 years bottle
Rioja DOCa
Rioja is the most famous and the first DO in Spain, 1925, and the first DOCa in 1991
Rioja was named from its placement on the Oja river, Rio Oja in spanish
It sits in north central spain, in a nook between the Cantabrian mountians and the Pyrenees, giving it protection as well as letting a variety of weather affect it. Cool from the Bay of Biscane, Warm from the Med. Being between these mountains and on the rivers path provides them with irrigation.
Rioja has three districts
Rioja Alta - western and considered best
Rioja Baja - southern
Rioja Alavesa - Basque, in the Kingdom of Navarra
Grapes:
white
Viura aka Macabeo
Malvasia
Garnacha Blanca
now sauv blanc, chard, torrentes are allowed but must be labeled if single varietal
red
tempranillo queen of them all
garnacha
mazuelo = carignan
graciano
tempranillo is often late ripening in cool rioja, and produces lower sugar so the other grapes are blended for body and strength
Rioja was named from its placement on the Oja river, Rio Oja in spanish
It sits in north central spain, in a nook between the Cantabrian mountians and the Pyrenees, giving it protection as well as letting a variety of weather affect it. Cool from the Bay of Biscane, Warm from the Med. Being between these mountains and on the rivers path provides them with irrigation.
Rioja has three districts
Rioja Alta - western and considered best
Rioja Baja - southern
Rioja Alavesa - Basque, in the Kingdom of Navarra
Grapes:
white
Viura aka Macabeo
Malvasia
Garnacha Blanca
now sauv blanc, chard, torrentes are allowed but must be labeled if single varietal
red
tempranillo queen of them all
garnacha
mazuelo = carignan
graciano
tempranillo is often late ripening in cool rioja, and produces lower sugar so the other grapes are blended for body and strength
Txakolina
In the Pais Vasco, the Basque Country, Green Spain or North Central Spain is Txakolina
Three subregions
Txakolina de Getaria (smallest)
Txakolina de Arrabako
Txakolina de Bizakia
Trellised indigenous grapes,
Hondurrabi -Zuri
Hondurrabi - Beltza
Three subregions
Txakolina de Getaria (smallest)
Txakolina de Arrabako
Txakolina de Bizakia
Trellised indigenous grapes,
Hondurrabi -Zuri
Hondurrabi - Beltza
Cava
Cava is a DO that can be produced in a variety of non congruous locations, but the majority is made in Penedes in Catalunya
It is a sparkling wine that by law requires it to be made using the méthode champenoise.
The grapes are
Macabeo aka Viura
Xarello
Paralleda
Chardonnay is also permitted, as is Pinot Noir in rose cava
Reserva or Vintage gets 9 months before disgorgement,
Grand Reserva gets 30 months
It is a sparkling wine that by law requires it to be made using the méthode champenoise.
The grapes are
Macabeo aka Viura
Xarello
Paralleda
Chardonnay is also permitted, as is Pinot Noir in rose cava
Reserva or Vintage gets 9 months before disgorgement,
Grand Reserva gets 30 months
Spain Classifications
Vino De La Mesa
Table wine, doesn't need vintage, or classification. No limits on grapes or styles
Vino de Calidad Producido en Región Determinada
Vinos de la Tierra
large classified area, Catalunya, Levant, North-Central Spain are examples.
regions must produce VDLT for 5 years before they can apply for DO status
Denominacion de Origin
DO means more rigorous testing on quality. more rules.
DO often have stamps or logos used to mark their wines.
newest DO is zamora in castilla y leon
Denominacion de Origin Calificada
Top level , shortened to DOCa and in the case of Priorat, DOQ (qualificada)
There are two top level
Rioja, Spains first DO in 1925 and first DOCa in 1991
Priorat, DO 1989 and DOQ 2001
(jerez was the second DO in Spain, malaga the third)
Denominacion de Pago
Pago's are single vineyard sites with DO status, due more to their individual production than their general area. There are few (9?) and the first and important ones are in La Mancha
Table wine, doesn't need vintage, or classification. No limits on grapes or styles
Vino de Calidad Producido en Región Determinada
Vinos de la Tierra
large classified area, Catalunya, Levant, North-Central Spain are examples.
regions must produce VDLT for 5 years before they can apply for DO status
Denominacion de Origin
DO means more rigorous testing on quality. more rules.
DO often have stamps or logos used to mark their wines.
newest DO is zamora in castilla y leon
Denominacion de Origin Calificada
Top level , shortened to DOCa and in the case of Priorat, DOQ (qualificada)
There are two top level
Rioja, Spains first DO in 1925 and first DOCa in 1991
Priorat, DO 1989 and DOQ 2001
(jerez was the second DO in Spain, malaga the third)
Denominacion de Pago
Pago's are single vineyard sites with DO status, due more to their individual production than their general area. There are few (9?) and the first and important ones are in La Mancha
Spain facts
Spain has the most land under vine in the world but produces the third most wine after France and Italy
Reasons include, lower yields per hectare, low rainfall, and the distillation of wine for brandy and spirits
La Mancha, where a lot of distillate bound wine is made, is the largest DO in the world.
The Institute Nacional de Denominacions de Origine or INDO sets the Denominacions de Origine, but the DO's themselves are ruled by their own Consejo Regulador, a single person who sees over the DO production, rules, and quality
Garnacha is the most widely planted red grape
Tempranillo is second
Cabernet Sauvignon is third
Airen is the most widely planted white grape in spain
Reasons include, lower yields per hectare, low rainfall, and the distillation of wine for brandy and spirits
La Mancha, where a lot of distillate bound wine is made, is the largest DO in the world.
The Institute Nacional de Denominacions de Origine or INDO sets the Denominacions de Origine, but the DO's themselves are ruled by their own Consejo Regulador, a single person who sees over the DO production, rules, and quality
Garnacha is the most widely planted red grape
Tempranillo is second
Cabernet Sauvignon is third
Airen is the most widely planted white grape in spain
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