WINES FROM ITALY

INTRODUCTION
Italy's glowing reputation with wine is due not only to the fact that it produces and exports more than any other country but that it offers the greatest variety of types, ranging through nearly every color, avor and style imaginable. Experts increasingly rate Italy's premier wines among the world's nest. Many of the noblest originate in the more than 300 zones ofcially classied as DOC or DOCG-or, more recently, in areas recognized for typical wines under IGT (see Quality Laws & Labels). But a number of special wines carry their own proudly individualistic identities. Wine drinkers abroad, not always aware of the wealth of types (or perhaps overwhelmed by the numbers), have not always taken advantage of this unmatchable variety.

WINE REGIONS
1. Aosta Valley 2. Piedmont 3. Liguria 4. Lombardy 5. Trentino-Aldo Adige 6. Friuli-Venezia Giulia 7. Veneto 8. Emilia-Romagna 9. Tuscany 10. Marche 11. Umbria 12. Lazio 13. Abruzzo 14. Molise 15. Campania 16. Basilicata 17. Apulia 18. Calabria 19. Sicily 20. Sardinia

GRAPE VARIETIES
Arneis Nebbiolo

Pinot Grigio

Sangiovese

Trebbiano

Barbera Malvasia Bianca Dolcetto

Negroamaro

THE WEATHER

THE WEATHER
Important wine-relevant geographic characteristics of Italy include: The fact that Italy is a peninsula with a long shoreline, contributes moderating climate to coastal wine regions The extensive mountains and foothills provide many altitudes for grape growing and a variety of climate and soil conditions.

QUALITY STANDARDS

120 IGT zones 311 DOC 32 DOCG appellations

QUALITY STANDARDS
4 classes of quality standards 2 under QWPSR and 2 under table wine category
Table Wine: Vino da Tavola (VT) - Denotes simply that the wine is made in Italy. The label usually indicates a basic wine, made for local consumption. Indicazione Geograca Tipica (IGT) - Denotes wine from a more specic region within Italy. This appellation was created in 1992 for wines that were considered to be of higher quality than simple table wines, but which did not conform to the strict wine laws for their region. Before the IGT was created, "Super Tuscan" wines such as Tignanello were labeled Vino da Tavola.

QUALITY STANDARDS
QWPSR: Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC) This is the French equivalent of an AOC quality standard. When DOC appears on the label it indicates that wine was made from specied grapes grown in the demarcated area. The DOC system established a method of both recognizing quality product and maintaining the international and national reputation of that product. Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG) The main difference between a DOC and a DOCG is that the latter must pass a blind taste test for quality in addition to conforming to the strict legal requirements to be designated as a wine from the area in question. After1992, transparent rules were made regarding requirements for DOCG entry, imposing new limits regarding the production of grapes per hectare and minimum natural alcohol levels, among others.

THE ITALIAN WINE LABEL

Producer Name of the wine Bottler Information

Wine that has received additional ageing / higher quality wine Quality Standard Province Alcoholic strength & volume Vintage

THE ITALIAN WINE LABEL

Name of the wine Quality Standard Wine that has received additional ageing / higher quality wine Bottler Information Province of Piedmont Volume Alcoholic strength Vintage

POPULAR ITALIAN WINES

Chianti: Is a wine from the Tuscan region of Italy. Used to be marketed earlier in a globular, wicker-covered bottle called a asco (ask). More emphasis today is laid on the quality of the wine. Chianti Classico wines are characterized in their youth by their predominantly oral and cinnamon spicy bouquet. As the wine ages, aromas of tobacco and leather can emerge. Chiantis tend to have mediumhigh acidity and medium tannins. The acidity in the wines make them very exible with food and wine pairings, particularly with Italian cuisines that feature red sauce, as well with as beef, lamb and wild game.

POPULAR ITALIAN WINES

Barbaresco: The wines must have a minimum 12.5% alcohol level. Well-made examples of Barbaresco wines are expected to be aged at least 5 to 10 years after vintage before they are consumed, as they are extremely tannic and tight in their youth, and some continue to drink well even after 20 years. The typical style of a Barbaresco has bouquets of roses or violets with avor notes of cherry, trufes, fennel and licorice. As the wine ages, it can develop smoky notes and more earthy and animal avors like leather and tar.

POPULAR ITALIAN WINES

Barolo: A big, powerful tannic wine, Barolo needs to be matched with foods of similar weight. Paired with light dishes low in protein, such as steamed vegetables, a Barolo will overwhelm the food. Its tannins will react with the proteins on the tongue and sides of the mouthaccentuating the bitterness and drying the palate. In Piedmont, the wines are often paired with meat dishes, heavy pastas and rich risottos. The tannins bind to the food proteins and come across much softer.

POPULAR ITALIAN WINES

Oro, Altalanga: Oro di Altalanga is an amazing sparkling wine that appeals with its warm color. The exquisite reminiscence of honey, tropical owers and fruits, along with a natural softness, are wonderful to the palate. Combines well with foie-gras, trufes, cheese and scallops.

POPULAR ITALIAN WINES

Martini & Rossi, Asti: Asti is a sparkling white Italian wine that is produced throughout southeastern Piedmont but is particularly focused around the towns of Asti and Alba. Since 1993 the wine has been classied as a Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG) and as of 2004 was Italy's largest producing appellation. Made from the Moscato Bianco grape, it is sweet and low in alcohol, and often served with dessert. Unlike Champagne, Asti is not made sparkling through the use of secondary fermentation in the bottle but rather through a single tank fermentation utilizing the Charmat method. It retains its sweetness through a complex ltration process. Another wine called Moscato d'Asti is made in the same region from the same grape, but is only slightly sparkling (frizzante) and tends to have even lower alcohol.

OTHER ITALIAN WINES

Est! Est! Est!: This wine comes from the region, Lazio. Est! Est!! Est!!! di Monteascone is mildly aromatic with apple notes and high acidity. The wines can be produced in dry and sweeter abboccato styles. Locally, the wines are often paired with Roman cuisine such as fritto misto and deepfried artichokes.

OTHER ITALIAN WINES

Frascati: This wine comes from the Lazio region. Frascati is situated in the town that bears the same name andhas anexcellent reputation for producing secco wines from apartnership between Malvasia di Candia, Trebbiano Toscano and Greco that give wines a distinct yet subtle character. According to tradition Frascati should be fermented 'on its skins'. This gives the wine its golden color anda hint ofrusticity and astringency that characterizes this white.

GLOSSARY OF TERMS
Abboccato: Slightly sweet Annata: Vintage Azieda: Estate Bianco: White Casa vinicola: Wine company Chiaretto: Deep rose Nero: Dark red Riserva: Wine receiving additional ageing Rosato: Pink Rosso: Red Secco: Dry Spumante: sparkling Superiore: Wine of superior quality Vecchio: Old Vendemmia: Harvest or vintage Vino Novello: New wine usually made by maceration carbonique.

QUESTIONS?
Presented
by

Ashish M. Dighe