Title: WSET Level 3 / WSET Level 3 C27 - Northern Italy

Front: Describe the key geographical features of Northern Italy
Back: The vineyard regions are in the foothills of the Alps and on the extensive plain of the River Po

Front: What is the overall climate of Northern Italy?
Back: Moderate, with dry, short summers
Alps form a rain barrier
Moderating influences provided by bodies of water such as local rivers (like the Po) and glacial lakes (such as Garda)

Front: What is the effect of proximity to the sea in Italy
Back: These areas can have higher rainfall and be more at risk of fungal disease

Front: Describe how Northern Italian vineyards were traditionally planted
Back: High yielding vines at low densitiesWith Pergola trellising systems
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Name: Describe how Northern Italian vineyards were traditionally p

Front: Describe a Pergola trellis
Back: The vine canopy is trained high with the fruit hanging down below a horizontal canopy of leaves

Front: What are the principal reasons for Pergola training?
Back: To protect the grapes from sunburnTo allow for better circulation, minimising the risk of rot

Front: For what kinds of wines are Pergolas still used in Northern Italy?
Back: High acidity and low sugar levels (e.g. for sparkling wine grapes)For dried grapes which need to be free from damage and disease
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Name: For what kinds of wines are Pergolas still used in Northern

Front: What is the most common training system in Northern Italy?
Back: High density plantings using VSP

Front: Where is Alto Adige?
Back: Centred around the town of Bolzano in the foothills of the AlpsItaly's most northerly wine region

Front: Describe vineyard plantings in Alto Adige
Back: Planted on terraces on the south-east and south-west facing valley sides of the River Adige

Front: Describe the climate in Alto Adige
Back: Moderate climateShort, dry summersLow rainfall during the growing seasonMost vineyards experience high diurnal range due to altitude

Front: What does the high average vineyard altitude make the vineyards of Alto Adige ideal for?
Back: Production of aromatic whites and elegant, light-bodied reds
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Name: What does the high average vineyard altitude make the vineya

Front: What is the most notable white wine of Alto Adige?
Back: Pinot Grigio

Front: Describe Pinot Grigio wines from Alto Adige
Back: DryLight to medium bodyHigh acidCitrus and green fruit flavours

Front: What are the next most important white grapes of Alto Adige after Pinot Grigio?
Back: Gewurztraminer, Chardonnay and Pinot Blanc
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Name: What are the next most important white grapes of Alto Adige

Front: Which red grape dominates production in Alto Adige?
Back: Schiava

Front: Describe wines of Alto Adige made from Schiava
Back: Light and fruity
Low to medium tannins
Flavours of raspberries and plums

Front: How are almost all wines labelled in Alto Adige?
Back: Alto Adige DOC

Front: Where in Italy is Trentino?
Back: Directly to the south of Alto Adige

Front: Describe the geography of Trentino, particularly in relation to Alto Adige
Back: The valley is wider here than further north
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Name: Describe the geography of Trentino, particularly in relation

Front: Where within the valley, are Trentino's vineyards planted?
Back: On the valley floor as well as on the slopes on both sides of the valley
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Name: Where within the valley, are Trentinos vineyards planted?

Front: What is the climate of Trentino?
Back: Moderate climateDry summer and low rainfall (similar to Alto Adige)Slightly warmer than Alto Adige

Front: Why is Trentino slightly warmer than Alto Adige?
Back: More southerly latitudeVineyards at lower altitudeMountains to the west of the valley which protect from the cooling influence of Lake Garda

Front: What are Trentino's two main varieties?
Back: Chardonnay and Pinot Grigio
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Name: What are Trentinos two main varieties?

Front: Describe the wines made from the valley floor of Trentino
Back: Medium bodyMedium acidityRipe stone fruit flavours

Front: What are wines like which were made from grapes grown at higher altitudes in Trentino?
Back: More similar to whites made in Alto Adige
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Name: What are wines like which were made from grapes grown at hig

Front: What are the two most planted black grapes of Trentino?
Back: Merlot and Teroldego

Front: Where within Trentino are Merlot and Teroldego usually planted?
Back: Mid-slopes and valley floor
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Name: Where within Trentino are Merlot and Teroldego usually plant

Front: Describe wines made from Teroldego in Trentino
Back: Medium to full bodyDeep colourMedium to high tanninHigh acidityAromas of black fruitUsually matured in oak

Front: How are most wines labelled in Trentino?
Back: Trentino DOC

Front: Where in Italy is Friuli-Venezia Giulia?
Back: In the north's eastern corner

Front: Describe the most northerly vineyards in Friuli-Venezia Giulia
Back: They are located in the foothills of the Alps
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Name: Describe the most northerly vineyards in Friuli-Venezia Giul

Front: What is the climate of Friuli-Venezia Giulia?
Back: Moderate continental
Cooled by cold air from the mountains
On the flat plain near the Adriatic, the climate is warm maritime

Front: Are many grape varieties are planted in Friuli?
Back: Yes

Front: What overall style is produced in Friuli?
Back: Rich, ripe white and red wines

Front: What are the most prevalent varieties in Friuli?
Back: Pinot Grigio and Merlot

Front: Describe Pinot Grigio in Friuli
Back: Some of the richest in ItalyMedium to full-bodied Juicy peach and tropical fruit flavours

Front: What is the most planted black variety in Friuli?
Back: Merlot

Front: Describe wines made from Merlot in Friuli
Back: Medium bodyMedium acidityMedium tanninsRipe red fruit flavoursHint of spice from oak

Front: Give a third widely grown grape from Friuli
How do the wines taste?
Back: Friulano
White grape
Medium body
Wines with medium to high acidity
Aromas of pear, red apples and herbs
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Name: Give a third widely grown grape from FriuliHow do the wines

Front: Describe wines from the plain of FriuliHow are they labelled?
Back: Labelled Friuli Grave DOCWhite and made in a simple fruity style
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Name: Describe wines from the plain of FriuliHow are they labelled

Front: What are the two major sub-regions of Friuli located in the hills? What style do they create?
Back: Collio DOC
Colli Orientali DOC
Premium, more concentrated white wines
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Name: What are the two major sub-regions of Friuli located in the

Front: Of Collio and Colli Orientali, which is also noted for its red wines?
Back: Colli Orientali DOC
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Name: Of Collio and Colli Orientali, which is also noted for its r

Front: Which Northern Italian wine region is also one of its largest?
Back: Veneto
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Name: Which Northern Italian wine region is also one of its larges

Front: Describe the location of Veneto
Back: Extends from the southern end of Lake Garda in the west, to Venice in the eastFrom the foothills of the Alps in the north, to the flat plains of the Po in the south

Front: What is the climate like in Veneto?
Back: WarmModerate rainfallCooling influence from altitude (so high diurnal range) and to the west of the region, from Lake Garda

Front: What other weather phenomena are prevalent in Veneto?
Back: The flat plain is affected by moist air and fog from the Po

Front: What is the viticultural result of the extra humidity brought by the moist air and fog in Veneto?
Back: More spraying is needed to combat disease and rot
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Name: What is the viticultural result of the extra humidity brough

Front: What kind of wines are made from grapes on the flat fertile plain in Veneto?
Back: Inexpensive, high-volume wines
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Name: What kind of wines are made from grapes on the flat fertile

Front: Which grapes are most commonly grown on the flat plains of Veneto?
Back: International: Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay and MerlotLocal: Corvina, Garganega and Trebbiano
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Name: Which grapes are most commonly grown on the flat plains of V

Front: Why are the wines of Veneto's plains usually simple and fruity?
Back: As a result of the high yields
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Name: Why are the wines of Venetos plains usually simple and frui

Front: How are the simple wines of Veneto's plains labelled?
Back: Veneto IGT
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Name: How are the simple wines of Venetos plains labelled?

Front: Which DOC is spread across Veneto and Friuli?
Back: Prosecco DOC

Front: Where is Soave?
Back: East of Verona

Front: Into how many distinct parts is Soave split?
Back: Two

Front: Describe the two distinct parts of Soave
Back: Foothills to the northA flat plain in the south, near the River Po

Front: Describe the soils of Northern Soave
Back: Limestone and clay with some volcanic rocks

Front: Describe the characteristics of grapes from the foothills of Soave
Back: Full flavour ripeness, but high acidity
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Name: Describe the characteristics of grapes from the foothills of

Front: How do northern Soave's grapes achieve full ripeness, but manage to retain their acidity?
Back: The soils are naturally cool - this combined with the influence of altitude slows down ripening, resulting in retention of acidity, as well as good ripeness
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Name: How do northern Soaves grapes achieve full ripeness, but ma

Front: Can Soave wines age well?
Back: Yes; the better example from the foothills in the north

Front: Describe the soils in the plains of Soave
Back: Sandy and alluvial soils that aid ripening

Front: Describe wines from the plains of Soave
Back: Fruitier, with medium acidity
Early drinking

Front: What are the varieties of Soave?
Back: GarganegaSmall amounts of other white varieties can make up the blend

Front: Describe the general profile of wines from Soave
Back: Medium body
Medium to high acidity
Aromas of pears, red apple and stone fruit
Sometimes aromas of white pepper
No typical aromas/flavours of new oak
In age worthy examples; aromas of almonds and honey

Front: How are wines of Soave labelled?
Back: Soave DOCSoave Classico DOC (from the foothills)

Front: Where is Valpolicella?
Back: North-west of Verona

Front: Describe the topography of Valpolicella
Back: Similar to that of Soave

Front: What are the soils like in Valpolicella? What effect does that have on ripening/grapes?
Back: The foothills of the north have limestone, clay and volcanic soils - this slows down ripening, so the grapes have more acidityThe soils in the flatter south are gravel and sand - warmer, so the grapes are fruitier with less acidity
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Name: What are the soils like in Valpolicella? What effect does th

Front: What is the main grape in Valpolicella?
Back: Corvina

Front: To which region in Corvina native?
Back: Veneto

Front: Describe a typical profile of the Corvina grape
Back: Thin skinModerate colourLow to medium tanninsHigh acidity

Front: How do winemakers increase the colour and tannins in Corvina-based wines?
Back: Local grapes can be added to the blends
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Name: How do winemakers increase the colour and tannins in Corvina

Front: How may wines be labelled when grapes are used from the entire region of Valpolicella?
Back: Valpolicella DOC
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Name: How may wines be labelled when grapes are used from the enti

Front: Where must Valpolicella be from when labelled with 'Classico'?
Back: The foothills of the region
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Name: Where must Valpolicella be from when labelled with Classico

Front: Describe wines labelled Valpolicella (Classico) DOC
Back: Simple and fruity
Light tannins
Red cherry flavours
Rarely oaked
Made to drink immediately

Front: What is the purpose of the passito method?
Back: To increase structure, flavour concentration, and in the case of red wines, colour

Front: Briefly describe the passito method
Back: Grapes picked early, while still high in acidity
Dried indoors, concentrating sugars and flavours
Not fermented until winter

Front: What are the two types of Passito wine in Valpolicella?
Back: Amarone della Valpolicella DOCGRecioto della Valpolicella DOCG

Front: Describe wines labelled Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG
Back: Dry or off-dryFull-bodiedHigh alcoholMedium to high tanninsIntensely concentrated red berry and spice flavoursUsually aged in large oak casks

Front: What is the main difference in the way Recioto della Valpolicella wines are made (as opposed to Amarone)
Back: Made from grapes that are so sweet, the fermentation stops naturally
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Name: What is the main difference in the way Recioto della Valpoli

Front: Describe Recioto della Valpolicella wines
Back: Sweet
Full body
High alcohol
Medium to high tannins
Intense red fruit flavours

Front: Which other region of Northern Italy also makes the sweet Recioto wine style? What is it called?
Back: SoaveRecioto di Soave DOCG
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Name: Which other region of Northern Italy also makes the sweet Re

Front: What is the ripasso method?
Back: Grape skins from a fermenting Amarone are drained off the skins shortly before fermentation finishesSkins remain unpressed and are added to a vat of Valpolicella that has finished fermentationNewly introduced yeasts ferment the remaining sugar on the Amarone grape skinsNew grape skins give more colour, flavour and tannins to the wine they have been added to

Front: How may the Valpolicella wines be labelled which have undergone the ripasso method?
Back: Valpolicella Ripasso DOC
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Name: How may the Valpolicella wines be labelled which have underg

Front: Describe the flavour profile of Valpolicella Ripasso DOC
Back: Medium to full-bodied
Medium to high tannins
Flavours of stewed red cherries and plums

Front: Where is Piemonte in Italy?
Back: In the northwest corner

Front: What is the climate like in Piemonte?
Back: Moderate continentalLong, cold wintersSummers subject to thunderstorms, hail and fogMountains to the north protect the region from rain and windsModerating influences from Po River and Lake Maggiore

Front: What is Piemonte's most notable geographical feature?
Back: Its foothills, ranging from 150 to 600 metres
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Name: What is Piemontes most notable geographical feature?

Front: What do the foothills of Piemonte provide viticulturally?
Back: Different aspects and altitudes

Front: What are Piemonte's most notable grapes? (black and white)
Back: Black: Nebbiolo, Barbera and DolcettoWhite: Cortese and Moscato
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Name: What are Piemontes most notable grapes? (black and white)

Front: Where in Piemonte are its most famous wine making areas?
Back: South of Turin, around the towns of Asti and Alba

Front: What are the most prestigious wine regions of Piemonte?
Back: Barolo DOCG and Barbaresco DOCG

Front: What are Piemonte's IGT/IGP wines?
Back: There are none - all are DOC or DOCG
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Name: What are Piemontes IGT/IGP wines?

Front: Describe Barolo as an area
Back: It's a horseshoe shaped valley, spanning several villagesMade up of steep, south-facing slopes (300m - 500m)

Front: What grapes make up Barolo DOCG?
Back: Only Nebbiolo

Front: What are the key features of the Nebbiolo grape?
Back: Black grapeHigh acidityHigh tanninsLittle colour

Front: Describe Nebbiolo's key viticultural characteristic in Barolo
Back: The grapes ripen slowly at the altitudes in Barolo
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Name: Describe Nebbiolos key viticultural characteristic in Barol

Front: What are the flavours/characteristics of Barolo DOCG?
Back: Full bodyHigh acidityHigh tanninsSour cherries, herbs and sometimes dried flowersAbility to develop in bottle

Front: How are Barolo wines blended?
Back: Often made from grapes sourced from different villages

Front: When may a village name appear on a Barolo label? Give an example
Back: When grapes are sourced from only that villageBarolo Serralunga d'Alba DOCG
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Name: When may a village name appear on a Barolo label? Give an ex

Front: Where do the best Barolo come from? Give an example
Back: Named villages or crusBarolo Cannubi DOCG

Front: Which other grapes are grown within Barolo? How are they labelled?
Back: Dolcetto and BarberaAlba DOC
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Name: Which other grapes are grown within Barolo? How are they lab

Front: How long must Barolo DOCG be aged before release?
Back: Three, of which 18 months must be in oak

Front: Describe the development of the role of oak in Barolo
Back: It was traditionally aged in large oak barrels to soften harsh tanninsToday, improvements in vineyard management and gentler methods of extraction mean that may producers choose to age their wines for less time

Front: How may Barolo be aged?
Back: In small barrels (sometimes new oak) or in larger casks, depending on intended style

Front: What's the role of bottle ageing in Barolo wines?
Back: All Barolo wines benefit from further bottle ageing
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Name: Whats the role of bottle ageing in Barolo wines?

Front: What does bottle ageing achieve with Barolo wines?
Back: Continues to soften tannins Adds further complexity, giving aromas of truffles, tar and leather

Front: For which grape is Barbaresco renowned?
Back: Nebbiolo

Front: Describe the geography of Barbaresco
Back: It has south-facing slopes at lower altitudes than those of Barolo (200 to 400 metres)
A river flows nearby

Front: What is the result of the lower altitudes and nearby river in Barbaresco?
Back: Nebbiolo ripens earlier than BaroloWines are fruitier and less perfumed
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Name: What is the result of the lower altitudes and nearby river i

Front: What are the characteristics of Barbaresco DOCG?
Back: Similar tannin and acidity to Barolo
Fruitier and less aromatic than Barolo
Ageworthy

Front: What is the role of ageing in Barbaresco DOCG?
Back: Must be aged for two years before release, with nine months in oak

Front: Why are there fewer mentions of villages on the labels of Barbaresco?
Back: Because it's a smaller area than Barolo
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Name: Why are there fewer mentions of villages on the labels of Ba

Front: How can one identify a higher quality of Barbaresco DOCG?
Back: It will be from a single named vineyard or cru

Front: How are the majority of appellations named in the wider region of Asti and Alba?
Back: After a grape variety, followed by their nearest town
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Name: How are the majority of appellations named in the wider regi

Front: What is the most widely planted variety in Asti and Alba?
Back: Barbera

Front: What are the two main wines produced by Barbera?
Back: Barbera d'Alba DOCBarbera d'Asti DOCG

Front: Of Asti/Alba's popular Barbera wines, which is considered to be the higher quality?
Back: Barbera d'Asti DOCG
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Name: Of Asti/Albas popular Barbera wines, which is considered to

Front: Describe Barbera wines of Asti/Alba
Back: Late ripening
Medium to deep colour
Low to medium tannins
High acidity
Aromas of red cherries, plums and sometimes black pepper

Front: What two styles is Barbera usually made into?
Back: Youthful and fruity, with no oak influence
Barrel-aged with spicy flavours

Front: What is arguably the second most widely planted variety of the Asti/Alba area of Piemonte?
Back: Dolcetto
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Name: What is arguably the second most widely planted variety of t

Front: What is a key viticultural characteristic of Dolcetto in Piemonte? What does it mean?
Back: It's earlier ripening than Nebbiolo and Barbera
It can be planted in cooler sites
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Name: What is a key viticultural characteristic of Dolcetto in Pie

Front: Which Dolcetto wine tends to produce many of the finest wines?
Back: Dolcetto d'Alba DOC
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Name: Which Dolcetto wine tends to produce many of the finest wine

Front: Describe wines of Dolcetto d'Alba DOC
Back: Deep, often purple colour
Medium to high tannins
Medium acidity
Aromas of black plums, red cherries and dried herbs
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Name: Describe wines of Dolcetto dAlba DOC

Front: How are Barbera and Dolcetto suited to ageing?
Back: They can both be drunk young, but the best examples can age for several years

Front: Besides Barbera and Dolcetto, which red grape is also planted in the Asti and Alba areas of Piemonte?
Back: Nebbiolo
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Name: Besides Barbera and Dolcetto, which red grape is also plante

Front: Besides Dolcetto and Barbera, what else is Asti known for?
Back: Sparkling wines made from Moscato

Front: Where is the region of Gavi?
Back: In south-eastern Piemonte

Front: Describe the terrain where Gavi's wine grapes are grown and what effect this has on the resultant wines
Back: In hillsThe altitude combined with sea breezes, results in long, slow ripening of the grapes
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Name: Describe the terrain where Gavis wine grapes are grown and

Front: What is the grape used for Gavi wines?
Back: Cortese

Front: How may Gavi wines be labelled?
Back: Gavi DOCGCortese di Gavi DOCGGavi di Gavi DOCG (if grapes are from the town of Gavi itself)

Front: Describe the wines of Gavi
Back: PaleLight-bodiedHigh acidityAromas/flavours of citrus, green apples and pears

Front: How are Gavi wines usually vinified?
Back: Protectively, with cool fermentation in stainless steel

Front: How do some producers add complexity to their Gavi wines?
Back: Fermentation in old oakLees stirring

Front: Describe age worthiness for Gavi wines
Back: Usually ready to drink on releaseWines from best producers can age well in bottle