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Sardinia vineyards cover 43,331 hectares or 107,070 acres; yearly wine production is 1,062,000 hectoliters or 28,058.
Sicily vies with Puglia as Italy's number one wine production region.
Sicily was second, despite the extremely dry summer, with a production of 6.
March 3 Since we will be tasting wines from Tuscany this weekend, we thought we would present a quick fact about Tuscany’s most famous wine; Chianti.
Soave producers would decide to produce DOCG wine depending on the vintage while commanding a price premium to DOC Soave and offering the consumer an actual guide to quality.
It is only when spraying stops at about four weeks to the harvest that winemakers, enologists and growers will relax for a few minutes.
Warm climate regions will ripen early ripeners as well, but will typically use these for dessert wine production, as the climate will encourage greater sugar levels.
Grown for almost 2,000 years, Malvasia exists in many forms, including the black variety Malvasia Nera - primarily grown in Piedmont for sweet wines and in Puglia for added power.
As you can see there is quite a varied lot for the wine enthusiast to get his hands around.
Late-ripening varieties are both prized and cursed, the extra time on the vine usually results in deeper inflected and ultimately more interesting wines.
If the grapes come from vineyards situated within the territory of the commune of Bolzano, the wine can be labeled Lagrein di Gries (Griser Lagrein or Lagrein aus Gries).
March 31 This weekend's wine tastings feature a slew of wines from Sicily, so some facts about the Mediterranean's largest island are in order.
March 10 The wines from our featured producer Malvirà hail from a region in Piedmont known as the Roero.
March 17 Popcorn!! How can a wine smell like buttered popcorn? Well, it turns out that there is a chemical compound known as diacetyl - created in wines during malolactic fermentation - that is also an ingredient used to create that buttery flavor in microwave popcorn.
These wines are mostly destined for the local market and one keeps hoping that more producers will turn their attention to quality rather then quantity.
March 24 (Slight correction to the fact for clarity's sake concerning pollination) A grape variety present in both the Wine of the Week and on the tasting schedule is the uniquely Italian variety Marzemino.
The white versions (Bianca, del Chianti, del Lazio etc.
And while not specifically wine related, Benedetto Carpano, in his wine shop near the Turin Stock Exchange, first created Vermouth.
However, the reality is that this is one aspect of wine that remains under continued study.
It seems the Southern Italians of the day were good at making wine, but not so good at transcribing names.
I do not necessarily agree, but one thing for certain is that the Italians fight to have their DOC zones separate from every one else's, even if the land overlaps.
Re-stopper the half-bottle and enjoy the wine from the open full bottle.
I think that there are many reasons for this but the primary source of confusion is the lack of drill down labeling in the Italian system coupled with the generally larger areas defined as DOC.
January 13 In response to last week's fact about Italian wine-label lingo some readers wrote in to express dismay at not being able to tell where a particular Italian wine hails from.
The wines of Lombardia come from four distinct areas producing wines from different grapes and in different styles.
Its vineyards cover 18,704 hectares or 46,218 acres; yearly wine production is 1,018,000 hectoliters or 26,895,640 gallons (roughly 2% of Italy's total) with the edge going to white wines.
When over-cropped it produces oceans of boring white wine.
Thus certain wines, most notably New World white wines, obtain levels that can only be described as giving off that characteristic buttery aroma.
One more interesting tidbit about the consorzio, in Italy the phrase 'Gallo Nero' appears on the neck label affixed by consorzio members to their wines, however this phrase is banned in the United States because the consorzio was sued by a US winemaker claiming infringement - Ernest Julio Gallo, the makers of Hearty Burgundy.
East of Milan is the Franciacorta region producing DOCG sparkling wines using the Champagne method of production.
These wines are mostly white (Germany, Alsace) or very light reds.
We often find ourselves telling people that the best way to store unused wine is in a container that matches the quantity of wine to be saved, as contact with oxygen is the ultimate slayer of your wine.
The lower the level the more likely that the wine is no longer sound.
Unlike most Italian regions, Sicily produces white wines in a ratio of about three-to-one over reds.
(Also, checkout the January 28th wine fact on this weeks Regional Tour stop, Emilia-Romagna.
Since there are only seven primary wine zones in France it should be theoretically easier to locate the winery.
April 7 This weekend's wine tasting will be focused on Puglia.
Lazio vineyards cover 47,884 hectares, or 118,321 acres, and yearly wine production is 2,940,000 hectoliters; 84% white, 16% red with a mere 6.
There are, however, enough quality vineyard sites to make this one of Italy's most exciting region for fairly priced quality wine.
These trends mean that there is good quality wine being produced today, and that the future looks bright for this up-and-coming region.
Albana di Romagna is a bit of a curiosity as this previously obscure wine was mysteriously named Italy’s first white DOCG wine, a decision that was met by surprise by everyone except the local producers who defended it vigorously.
In the most classic example, if you feel like a glass of wine but not a bottle, open the bottle and fill an empty (preferably dark glass and clean) half bottle of wine almost to the top.
This is a system that has been in use since Roman times, known as alberelli a vaso in Italian, and predominates in the southern wine producing regions.
This will keep air away from the wine you are saving and allow it to remain fresh for 3 to 5 days, far better then the overnight slaughter one can expect from a half-filled regular sized bottle.
Spiritually the region is really two, with Emilia producing wines from a variety of grape varieties both native (Bonarda, Barbera) and international (Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon) and Romagna using the classic Sangiovese and the local Albana.
The quote is from an interesting article from The Italian Wine Review, click this link to read his whole report to better understand traditionalist thinking, but come back here when you are done.
The grape is best known for its sweet and fortified wines, however, owing to the high sugar development and the fragrant aromas of apricot, honey and almonds.
Another well-known method is the late harvest wine which when taken to extremes can result in ice wine.
The spiritual home of Vin Santo is Tuscany and it is here that the first DOC for the wine was granted in Chianti Classico.
The wine is made from various different grapes but Trebbiano and Malvasia dominate most blends.
People feel that even in the other old-world countries there is more information (although someone mentioned Germany as being an example of an easy to read wine label, Nein).
Generally speaking these terms apply to viticulture at or near the upper and lower thirds of wine production, which fall between 30 and 50 degrees latitude (north and south).
Of the wine that is bottled, there are over 25 DOC zones ranging in style from the medium bodied spicy wines of the Salento Peninsula to the bolder wines of Manduria and Castel del Monte.
August 18 This week's wine of the week is a dessert wine from Puglia.
Since that time, Sicily has been focusing on its native varieties (Catarrato and Inzolia on the white side and Nero D'Avola and Nerello Mascalese on the red) with increased plantings of International varieties.
The name of this variety is thought to derive from Lagara, colony of the Magna Graecia of the ionic shoreline, famous for the Lagaritanos wine.
Thirt-three grower-producers formed the consorzio on May 14, 1924 to defend and promote the wine of Chianti Classico.
Many Italian 'stickies' are made via the Passito method - drying out the grapes either on mats or on the vine.
Each producer lists the location of the winery on the label.
italian white wine production
Additionally, the winery equipment will be sanitized and any work that needs to be done in the press house will take place now.
Lazio has had to struggle with image problems owing to the undemanding Roman café market, which requires oceans of unassuming white wine that benefits from the local tradition of adding sparkling water.
In order to understand sweet wine production it is important to remember that during fermentation yeast eats sugar to make alcohol, heat and C02.
Vino Italian Wines and Spirits, NYC
However, as far as generalities are concerned, the warm versus cool climate guideline can help you to gauge the style of a particular wine.
The most famous dessert wine made from a stopped fermentation is Port wine from Portugal.
The term ullage is employed to describe the amount of space in a wine bottle not filled with wine.
Dessert wines vary widely in style, country of origin, sweetness levels and production methods, however the most widely used methods for making dessert wine fall into three broad categories: stop the fermentation early, add sugar, and start with very sweet grapes.
As a whole the region is Italy’s fourth largest producer due mainly to the large co-operative cellars producing the areas best known wine, Lambrusco.
This is not to say that either Greco or Fiano are diminished as wines, only that the legal system in place to identify these areas remains flawed and uneven.
In today’s modern wineries, where the winemaker has complete control over the malolactic fermentation, the governo method is seldom practiced.
August 4 A quick wine fact on our favorite plant: the vine.
Of course there are a number of producers, concentrated in the north, focused on limiting yields and producing quality wines.
Armed with the legal tag you can locate the wines origin and general type, this can only be done with a listing of DOCs and IGTs or plenty of advanced knowledge.
Grape varieties for white wine production are mostly Malvasia and Trebbiano.
Charles' Weekly Wine Fact The Archives In order to receive the wine fact, and other interesting Italian wine information, sign-up for our weekly email.
DOC production is still small at less then 5%, but the increased focus on quality has meant a plethora of choices for the wine consumer.
These dried grapes are later pressed, and their unfermented juice is added to wine that has already undergone normal alcoholic fermentation.
Wine-making techniques have changed in recent years, as younger producers have shortened maceration times and used barrique to achieve rounder, less aggressive flavors.
Most of their wines are based on Montepulciano and Sangiovese, but there is also a healthy dose of Southern varieties in play.
Current membership exceeds 600 grower-producers, 250 of which bottle wine under their own labels.
Next week we will discuss a few tips to help both the novice and the experienced Italian wine drinker find their way around.
Altogether, the members produce more than 80% of wine qualifying for the Chianti Classico appellation.
Puglia can produce as much wine as it does due to its relative flat geography - I fact Italy's flattest region.
Over 80% of the region's production is red wine and the important varieties are home grown - Negroamaro, Primitivo and Malvasia Nera.
The best news of all from the 2003 vintage was the continuation of the trend in bottled wine for export exceeding that of bulk wine for export.
July 28 This week's wine fact is only a fact to some people, and actually it is really a quote from Bartolo Mascarello: sinks its roots in the hills, and not in Franco-Californian techniques that may be valid, but that I won't use.
June 23 One of the least understood concepts of viticulture for wine lovers is the old axiom that the best wines come from the poorest soils.
2004 September 1 Two terms that can guide you in your future wine selections are Cool climate and Warm climate wines.
To a lesser extent, the region also cultivates Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Voigner among the white and Cabernet Sauvignon and Franc, Merlot, Cesanese, Syrah, Petit Verdot, Sangiovese and Montepulciano for red wine.
Pieemonte vineyards cover 57,487 hectares or 142,050 acres; yearly wine production is 3,405,000 hectoliters or 89,960,369 gallons; which breaks down to about 70/30 red over white.
Alas, watching the Italian Government elevate Greco di Tufo and Fiano di Avellino to DOCG status (as of the 2003 vintage) without a correlative increase in production restrictions seems to un-herald that moment.
February 11 One of Italy's more widely known (if not understood) dessert wines is Vin Santo - the wine of Saints, or holy wine.
July 7 This week we have a quick technical wine fact on the correlated terms residual sugar and potential alcohol.
The DOC was granted in 1985, but winemaking in the region goes back much longer.
For more information on this grape variety please see the wine fact from June 16, but the name Malvasia comes from the Italian corruption for the name of a Greek port - Monemvasia.
So you do not see a wine labeled Piemonte, Langhe, Barolo, you just see Barolo (an example of a small DOC zone, see Chianti for huge).
When the Italian government elevated Soave to DOCG status there was an audible sigh among Italian wine lovers.
There is a local cadre of quality minded producers, however, and the availability of prime vineyard sites has attracted winemakers from other parts of the world.
Not even remotely exhaustive, but at least you'll be more then likely to properly locate the producer on the label, always the most important piece of information when dealing with Italian wine.
Now, we call this an Italian variety because it grows almost exclusively in Northern Italy in the provinces of Trentino, eastern Lombardia and the western Veneto.
When carefully cultivated the wines tend to be aromatically intense and almost rich on the palate.
Sicily represents a microcosm of the overall Italian wine scene, with traditional and modern wines being produced at ever-greater quality levels.
Fertile soil, on the other hand, produces huge quantities of indifferent grapes, resulting in mediocre wine.
August 25 Warning: short and general wine fact ahead.
A full understanding of dessert wine production is beyond our humble scope, but now you have your overview.
We are on the record as opposing techniques that impart flavors and aromas in wines that are not, well, wine like, and were slightly horrified to learn that the Daily News reports that certain factory workers exposed to large quantities of diacetyl have become ill.
August 11 This week's wine tasting is a bit whimsical in nature - a tasting of Italian wines derived from grapes that have migrated through Greece (the Olympics, people, the Olympics).
Because of the record-setting heat wave and lack of rainfall, the Italian harvest was the smallest in 20 years, producing just 44 million hectoliters of wine and must (-1% compared to 2002).
) are grown all around the Mediterranean and produce dry, sweet, fortified and sparkling wines.
April 28 Here is a short Italian-wine fact that came up the other day in conversation.
The first key to Italian wines’ origin is the legal designation.
Sardinia is also home to one of only four DOCG white wines, the aromatic and intense Vermentino di Gallura.
The classic American martini cocktail takes its name from the best-known Italian producer of dry vermouth, Martini Rossi.
The Veneto region though, stood out as the production leader.
June 16 In the coming weeks, Vino will be featuring some native grape varieties in our Weekend Wine Tastings.
The final wine, however, may only achieve 15% alcohol by volume.
Until about ten years ago, however, most of that production was destined for Marsala or sent northward to pose as other producers' wines.
January 6 Understanding Italian wine labels has never been a task for the faint of heart, here are a few of the more common terms used to indicate the producer, each loosely meaning estate: Azienda Agricola (uses their own grapes); Azienda Vinicola (buys in grapes); Azienda vitivinicola (grows and buys grapes); Cantina Sociale (Co-operative producer), Casa, Cascina (farmhouse); Podere and Tenuta.
The sugar that remains is known as residual sugar and is the sole measure of wines 'dryness'.
The grapes are dried on straw mats kept in the rafters of the winery (traditionally) and then aged in 'caratelli' - or very small barrels - for periods of up to 10 years.
While there is no danger from diacetyl to the wine drinker (those affected were working with enormous quantities of the substance) it should be read as a cautionary tale.
The foremost white wine produced in this region is the Tocai Friulano (See the wine fact from September 30th, 2003 for more details on this wine) but the area is known for the plethora of different grapes grown, both red and white.
February 4 A quick wine fact on storing that left over bottle.
As a result, the alcoholic strength of the wine will usually increase and malolactic fermentation will be encouraged.
The Greeks of so many thousands of years ago were key players in the spread of vine growing and wine making through trade and invasion.
May 12 Wine facts this week on the often-overlooked wine region of Lazio.
White grapes include Chardonnay, Müller-Thurgau, Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio, Ribolla Gialla, Riesling Italiaco and Riesling Renano, Sauvignon Blanc, Traminer Aromatico, Verduzzo and Malvasia Istriana.
Puglia is one of Italy's largest producing regions - if it was a separate country it would place on the top-ten list of production - but much of its wine is not bottled.
Wines labeled Roero Arneis are made from 100% of the white Arneis variety.
Adding sugar is fairly rare but can be seen in Germany where unfermented grape juice is stabilized (filter out the yeast) and added back to wine after fermentation.
The harder time a vine has seeking nutrients, the theory goes, the better quality and more complex the final wine should be.
This will change as a wine ages depending on the quality of the seal and storage conditions.
That is, the wine is sold in bulk for various purposes.
Wines labeled Roero are made from Nebbiolo with the possible addition of Arneis (2 to 5%) and grapes of varieties recommended for the province of Cuneo up to a maximum of 3%.
Sauternes, the famous French dessert wine, is made from grapes attacked by the fungus Botrytis (Noble Rot) that concentrates the sugar content of the grape.
The barrels are left to age without 'topping up', and as the wine evaporates from the barrel it slowly oxidizes, giving the wine its nutty nose.
Potential alcohol is not, as some wag pointed out, the amount of wine one can drink in an evening.
Additionally, in the bad old days, producers over relied on the method to strengthen and soften their wines and as such the method acquired a poor reputation.
No longer would DOCG status be granted wholesale to a chunk of land regardless of quality or production techniques.
January 21 Still trying to get around the Italian wine label.
As with most wines in Italy you need to know the producer as sweetness levels, length of aging and quality can vary widely.
The wine can and is mass-produced, but most Vin Santo's are the work of individual vineyards, partially owing to the history of the wine as an extension of friendship to guests and travelers.
As with anything in the world of wine caution must be heeded, Napa is considered a warm climate region while nearby Carneros is considered cool due to microclimatic conditions.
This latter practice has almost all but been eradicated, but follow this link to read up on the continued nature of Italian's to flaunt the law.
Since the wine maker can increase the levels of diacetyl, that buttery aroma seems to be a effect.
Lagrein can be slightly bitter on the finish and its presence, valued both for tannins and for color, can at times be detected as an element in other wines of the zone, particularly Pinot Nero and Schiava.
On top of that the individual DOCs may pertain to several different wines.
June 30 This is less of a wine fact then a mini rant on the DOC system in Italy.
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ITALIAN WINE
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