by Shannon
Porter, Personal Wine Consultant with The Traveling Vineyard
Like most
of the world, you probably watched some of the Winter Olympics, held
this year in Turin, Italy, capital of Italy’s Piedmont region.
Wasn’t the scenery beautiful? But did you know that in addition
to being a mountainous region famous for skiing, it is also Italy’s
second-largest wine region in terms of sheer size, with some of the
best red wines in Italy being made there.
Situated
between the Alps and the Apennines, Piedmont literally means “the
foot of the mountain.” Over 90% of the area’s vineyards
are planted on the scenic hillsides. Even though the region itself is
Italy’s second-largest wine producing region, most of the vineyards
themselves are small – no more than three acres. Similar to France’s
Burgandy region, the winemakers in Piedmont are passionate about the
quality of their wines and make sure the wines express the true terroir
(or microclimate) in which the grapes are grown.
In Italy,
wines are put through a strict control process, regulated by specific
laws to ensure origin, quality and authenticity. There are four classifications
of Italian wine; ranking from superior quality wine with tight regulations
to the most innovative and leniently regulated wines, such as the new
kid on the block, the Super Tuscan.
There are four major categories of Italian wines. Don’t worry
about remembering the whole name, you can look for the abbreviations
on the bottles!
• Vino Da Tavola
• Vino a Indicazione Geografica (IGT)
• Vino a Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC)
• Vino a Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG)
Vino Da Tavola (VdT, in the wine books) is the lowest class of wine,
commonly know as table wine. There are few rules, the producers make
it as they see fit. A lot of Vino Da Tavola is thin, weak, and acidic.
However, there are also some spectacular VdT wines made by extremely
good producers who have decided to make something that doesn't qualify
for a superior status because of its composition or the way it is made.
Indicazione
Geografica Tipica (IGT) is the next step up. A new classification, it
came about in 1992 as a response to the new “Super Tuscans”
(a blend of Sangiovese and either Cabernet or Merlot) that renegade
winemakers were creating. Blend wines were frowned upon and not allowed
a DOC or DOCG distinction. However, the quality of them was far above
most of the Vino da Tavola table wines, so the new IGT classification
was created. IGT wines offer some of the most exceptional values for
the money.
Vino a Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC) are classified as
“quality wines.” DOC wines are produced in specific well-defined
regions, according to specific rules designed to preserve the traditional
wine-making practices of the individual regions. For example, the rules
for making Chianti Classico differ greatly from those for making Barolo.
The DOC’s were first established in the 1960s and the quality
of Italian wine has improved greatly ever since.
Vino a Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG) is the
highest quality Italian wine. They are similar to the DOCs but the allowable
yields are generally lower and the rules more stringent. DOCG wines
must pass an evaluation of a tasting committee before they can be bottled.
Generally these will be the more expensive Italian wines although there
are values to be had.
The Piedmont region of Italy produces more top-ranked DOC and DOCG wines
than any other region except Tuscany and Veneto. It is affectionately
known as the home of the “Big Reds” – two of the finest
wines in all of Italy: Barolo and Barbaresco, made from the Nebbiolo
grape. Other reds produced in the region are Barbera and Dolcetto.
Barbera is the most widely planted indigenous grape of the region and
is one of the most preferred everyday dinner wines by the Italians.
It is a powerful, rustic wine – juicy, intense and felt-like in
texture. It is a great wine to serve with pastas accompanied by a red
sauce.
Dolcetto is a soft, supple wine that literally means “little sweet
one.” However, in Piedmont, acidity is comparable to sweetness;
not to sugar as in America. Dolcetto is a gentle, fruity wine with flavors
of blackberries, almonds, licorice, chocolate and spices. It is an immediately
accessible wine and should be drunk within three years. Dolcettos are
a wonderful compliment to chicken, pork or mushroom dishes.
The star wines of the region are the reds, Barbaresco and Barolo. Majestic,
powerful and multidimensional, both are produced from the Nebbiolo grape
and are grown on the steep hillsides of southeastern Piedmont. These
wines age extremely well and offer aromas and flavors of licorice, violets,
roses, leather, chocolate, prunes and figs. Barolo is known as the “king
of wines and the wine of kings” due to its popularity in the Middle
Ages and is more intense and “jammy” than Barbaresco. Barbaresco
is a more graceful, sublime and balanced red that often has a hint of
cedar aroma and flavor. Try them with lamb, veal, beef or a traditional
Osso Buco.
Zinfully
yours, Shannon
Shannon
Porter is an Independent Wine Consultant with The Traveling Vineyard
and has conducted over 200 wine tastings. Started in 2002 as a division
of Geerlings and Wade - the largest direct to consumer wine distributor
in the U.S. - The Traveling Vineyard is based on a simple premise: the
best way to buy wine is to taste it first. Modeled after tasting rooms
found at fine wineries the world over, The Traveling Vineyard allows
you to sample and learn about wine in the comfort of your own home.
To learn more about booking a free in-home wine tasting event or for
information on how to become an independent wine consultant; visit:
www.freewinetasting.net.
