WINES & CHEESES from ITALY Sat,

-57 millions inhabitants -20 regions -103 provinces ITALY

VINEYARD SIZE & WINE PRODUCTION

-today, in a world of ever more uniform tastes, Italians retain their customary loyalty to distinctive local foods and wines -(only) in the 60s and 70s, more than 300 wine appellations (316) were identified and protected by DOC (Denominazione di Origine Controllata) and DOCG (the G for garantita) -Another category exists for Vino da Tavola and Indicazione Geografica Tipica (IGT).. like Vin de Pays in France!.. i.e. Super-tuscans WINE IN ITALY

DOC and DOCG appellations dictate rules in the vineyards (viticulture) Type of grapes that can be used, Area of production, Maximum yield in the vineyard (still very generous compared to France).... and at the winery (vinification /wine-making process) Minimum alcohol, total acidity.. Ageing of the wine in wood (or not) as well as in the bottle (as in Spain) APPELLATION SYSTEM

The Italian DOCG wines are distributed in 13 different regions as follows.. 1. Piedmont: Barolo, Barbaresco, Brachetto d'Aqui, Asti, Ghemme, Roero, Dolcetto di Doglianico, Gattinara, Gavi 2. Lombardia: Franciacorta, Sforzato della Valtellina, Valtellina Superiore, Oltrepo' Metodo Classico 3. Veneto: Recioto di Soave, Soave Superiore, Bardolino Superiore 4. Friuli Venezia Giulia: Ramandolo, Picolit 5. Emilia Romagna: Albana di Romagna 6. Tuscany: Brunello, Chianti Classico, Chianti, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Vernaccia di San Gimignano, Morellino Scansano, Carmignano 7. Campania: Fiano, Taurasi, Greco 8. Abruzzo: Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 9. Umbria: Sagrantino di Montefalco, Torgiano Rosso Riserva 10. Marche: Rosso Conero Riserva, Vernaccia di Serra Petrone 11. Sicily: Cerasuolo di Vittoria 12. Sardegna: Vermentino di Gallura DOCG.. WHERE?

"The coexistence of a superficially formal attempt at rigor with a laissez-faire (let go) approach to actual practice was a product of a national political culture whose improvisatory style to a certain extent reflected centuries of foreign domination". Daniel Thomases, American wine writer based in Florence as quoted in "The Oxford Companion to Wine. OUP, 1994.

WINE REGIONS in TODAYS TASTING

1. 08 San Fermo Bellenda Prosecco di Conegliano Valdobbiadene DOC - Veneto grape: 100% Prosecco Paired with BURRATA Mozzarella, California (!) buffle

1. 08 San Fermo Bellenda Prosecco di Conegliano Valdobbiadene DOC Veneto grape: 100% Prosecco

VINEYARDS.. Sandy and rich in calcium SUGAR content.. – Brut Natural or Brut Zéro (less than 3 grams of sugar per liter) – Extra Brut (less than 6 grams of sugar per liter) – Brut (less than 15 grams of sugar per liter) – Extra Sec or Extra Dry (12 to 20 grams of sugar per liter) – Sec (17 to 35 grams of sugar per liter) – Demi-Sec (33 to 50 grams of sugar per liter) – Doux (more than 50 grams of sugar per liter) San Fermo Bellenda Prosecco di Conegliano Valdobbiadene DOC - Veneto grape: 100% Prosecco

TRADITIONAL METHOD

1. 08 San Fermo Bellenda Prosecco di Conegliano Valdobbiadene DOC - Veneto grape: 100% Prosecco CHARMAT/TANK METHOD

PROSECCO GRAPE – used to make still dry white wines (great with seafood).. –.. and to make sparkling wine (spumante ou frizzante) – Tasting notes: easy- drinking, apple aromas.. – Food pairings: everything!.. Like Champagne San Fermo Bellenda Prosecco di Conegliano Valdobbiadene DOC - Veneto grape: 100% Prosecco

2. 08 ColleStefano Verdicchio di Matelica DOC Marches grape: 100% Verdicchio paired with PARMIGIANO REGGIANO Emilia-Romagna Cow

2. 08 ColleStefano Verdicchio di Matelica DOC Marche grape: 100% Verdicchio

VINEYARDS.. -Located in a hilly landscape, 420 m above sea-level, watered by the Esino river and bounded on the east and on the west by the mountain range of the Appennini Umbro-Marchigiani (1479 m above sea-level). -Not being affected by the mitigating influence of the Adriatic Sea, the region is characterized by a cold, dry microclimate with high temperature ranges. - Organic farming ColleStefano Verdicchio di Matelica DOC Marches grape: 100% Verdicchio

VERDICCHIO GRAPE – has been grown in this district since ancient times – ripens from the second half of October – Tasting notes: no malo-lactic fermentation keeps this wine fresh, acid and bright. Herbal and apple aromas, food friendly! This grape has the same herbal aromas and flavors as Sauvignon Blanc! – Food pairings: great aperitif, with olives and toasted almonds, with all seafood dishes! ColleStefano Verdicchio di Matelica DOC Marches grape: 100% Verdicchio

paired with PECCORINO ROMANO Latium sheep Elena Walch Alto Adige DOC grape: Pinot Bianco

VINEYARDS -Alto-Adige = South Tyrol -Alpine climate favors grapes for perfumed white wine (reds still accounts for 50% of the production) Elena Walch Alto Adige DOC grape: Pinot Bianco PINOT BIANCO GRAPE -also called Pinot Blanc, mostly found in Italy (7,000 ha) -also cultivated in France (1,400 ha.. Burgundy, Alsace for Cremants), Germany, Austria, California..

3. 07 Elena Walch Alto Adige DOC grape: Pinot Bianco PINOT BIANCO GRAPE -maturation in stainless steel here, can also be vinified like Chardonnay and be oaked -Tasting notes: fruit aromas on the nose, nice acidity, minerality.. Apple- like fruit and tangy acidity on the finish.. Melon aromas ? Should not be kept long! Drink it NOW!

paired with UBRIACO DEL PIAVE Veneto cow Montezovo Valpolicella Ripasso DOC, Veneto grape: 70% Corvina, 20% Rondinella, 10% Molinara

4. 07 Montezovo Valpolicella Ripasso DOC Veneto grape: 70% Corvina, 20% Rondinella, 10% Molinara

VALPOLICELLA VINEYARDS.. by the city of Verona

4. 07 Montezovo Valpolicella Ripasso DOC, Veneto grape: 70% Corvina, 20% Rondinella, 10% Molinara

VINEYARDS – Sand – Limestone – Marl Montezovo Valpolicella Ripasso DOC, Veneto grape: 70% Corvina, 20% Rondinella, 10% Molinara THE BLEND -Corvina: brings acidity and color, sour cherry and herb notes, silky tannins -Rondinella: high yields, resistant, neutral flavors -Molinara: brings acidity as well, light and delicate aromas

4. 07 Montezovo Valpolicella Ripasso DOC, Veneto grape: 70% Corvina, 20% Rondinella, 10% Molinara

paired with TALEGGIO Emilia-Romagna/Lombardy Cow Ferrero Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Tuscany grape: 100% Sangiovese

VINEYARDS -property is in Montalcino's southwest -Their wines reflect the warmth and soft hills of this micro region -Clay and sandy soils SANGIOVESE GRAPE -full of luxuriant textures, chocolaty, plummy flavors that fill your mouth -this vintage has more of a California-like lushness, both powerful and rich -Full bodied wine for long ageing Ferrero Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Tuscany grape: 100% Sangiovese

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