WINES OF ITALY

 

WINES OF ITALY

• One vast vineyard.

·        Some of the oldest in Europe.

·        More varieties than any other country.

·        Half the size of France but quantity is almost equal.

·        Vines in all 20 provinces – tremendous variety at moderate price – some extremely fine.

• 60% reds – probably second only to Bordeaux and Burgundy.
• More like Burgundies – robust, full-bodied, deep red.
• Many of them undergo long ageing in cask = mature taste.

WINE LAWS OF ITALY

• Not as well-classified as in France.
• Names may be confusing – named after village or district or both, some neither, some denote dry/sweet/sparkling, etc., some denote all.
• Small growers have co-operatives:   Consorzio / Cantina Sociale

·        The co-operative seal on the label.

·        The co-operatives produce half of Italy’s all wines.

• In mid-1960s the Govt. framed stricter rules.
• Known as DOC (Denominazione di Origine Controllata)
• Specifies and controls:
• Geographical limits, grape varieties, yield, minimum alcohol content, minimum ageing, etc.

 

 

 

GRADATION OF WINES

Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG)

• Controlled and guaranteed naming of origin.

Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG)

• Only a few outstanding wines. Some examples:

            Albana di Romagno (w), Barbaresco (r), Barolo (r), Brunello di Montalcino (r),

            Chianti (r), Vino Nobiile di Montepulciano (r)

Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC)

• Controlled naming of origin.
• Certifies:

- Grapes grown in defined areas

            - Certain quality levels

            - Classico (special zone in an area)

            - Superiore (1% higher alcohol – longer ageing)

Vino Tipico

• Similar to Vin de Table of France.
• Established grape varieties.
• Not up to DOC quality standards.

Vino da Tavola

• 4th category in terms of quality.
• Unapproved grape variety.

 

 

 

WINE REGIONS OF ITALY

• Every province/region in Italy has its own identity – customs, traditions, culture, etc.
• The important regions are:

LOMBARDY

• Major wine-province – centre of very north of Italy (capital Milan).
• Better-known wines are:

Valtellina (hardy red), Franciacorta Pinot (white wine), Franciacorta Rosso (red wine), Lugana (delicate white)

TUSCANY

• Located in central Italy (capital Florence).
• Known for one of the most popular and famous Italian red wines –

            Chianti – from Sangiovese grapes.

            - Marketed in a straw-wrapped flagon-shaped bottle (fiasco).

            - nowadays in Bordeaux-type bottles also.

·        Best is Chianti Classico Reserva – aged longer.

·        Other quality wines are:

            Brunello di Montalcino, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano , Tignanello , Solaia, Galestro

VENETO / VENETIA / VERONA

·        Northeastern Italy (capital Venice).

·        Best-known for reds:  Valpolicella (fresh, light-bodied red), Bardolino (hardy red), Soave (one of the best Italian whites)

PIEDMONT

·        Northeastern Italy (capital Turin).

·        Italy’s best and most varied wines.

 

·        Some better ones are:

             Barolo (r),  Barbaresco (r),  Gattinara (r), Boca (r), Fara (r), Barbera d’Alba (r)

·        Asti Spumante – a delicate, sweet, sparkling white wine from Moscato (Muscat) grapes.

SICILY

·        Large island off the toe of Italy.

·        Famous for the fortified dessert wine Marsala – often used in kitchens.

·        Also famous for Etna (r & w).

ITALIAN SPARKLING WINES

·        Labelled Vino Spumante.

·        Made from aromatic moscato grapes.

·        Most use the Charmat process.

·        Most are sweet.

·        If dry – brut / brut reserva / brut nature

·        Metodo Champenois / Fermentazione Naturale in Bottiglia (bottle-fermented)

·        Crackling wine: Vino Frizzante

·        Asti Spumante is the most popular Italian sparkling wine (delicate and sweet -Charmat process – from Piedmont).

·        Lacrima Christi is another popular one (dry – methodo champenoise – from Campania).

 

SOME OTHER BETTER-KNOWN WINES

·        Est! Est!! Est!!! – white wine from Laticum.

·        Falerno – (red & white) – from Campania.

·        Capri (more white, some red) – from Campania.

 

ITALIAN WINE TERMS

·        Abboccato/Amabile – semi-sweet

·        Seco/Asciutto – dry

·        Dolce – sweet

·        Rosso – red

·        Bianco – white

·        Roasato – rosé

·        Annata – vintage year

·        Vecchio – old

·        Recioto – wine made from partially dried grapes.

·        Reserva/Reserva Speciale – aged for long and specific period.