Lombardy

Question 1

What country is the northern border of Lombardy?

Answer 1

Switzerland

Question 2

What is the climate of Lombardy?

Answer 2

Cool Continental

Question 3

What are the 2 geographical features that help define Lombardy?

Answer 3

1. Mountains: Foothills of the Alps
2. Bodies of Water: Many lakes influence the region

Question 4

Lombardy is best known for producing this sparkling wine DOCG.

Answer 4

Franciacorta DOCG

Question 5

In addition to Franciacorta, Lombardy is also known for making this style of wine.

Answer 5

Passito wines made from dried grapes.

Question 6

What are the 3 allowed grape varieties that go into Franciacorta DOCG?

Answer 6

1. Chardonnay
2. Pinot Bianco
3. Pinot Nero

Question 7

What are the aging requirements for Franciacorta DOCG?

Answer 7

• Min. 18 months aging on the lees.
• 25 months total aging from the date of harvest.

Question 8

What 5 terms might you see on a Franciacorta DOCG bottle?

Answer 8

1. Metodo Classico
2. Spumante
3. Millesimato
4. Frizzante
5. Satèn

Question 9

Name 2 prominent Franciacorta producers.

Answer 9

1. Bellavista
2. Ca’ del Bosco

Question 10

When you see the term ‘Metodo Classico’ on a bottle of Franciacorta, what does that indicate?

Answer 10

The wine was made using traditional method, or méthode champenoise.

Question 11

When you see the term ‘Spumante’ on a bottle of Franciacorta, what does that indicate?

Answer 11

The wine is fully sparkling.

Question 12

When you see the term ‘Millesimato’ on a bottle of Franciacorta, what does that indicate?

Answer 12

Vintage dated.

Question 13

When you see the term ‘Frizzante’ on a bottle of Franciacorta, what does that indicate?

Answer 13

Lightly sparkling.

Question 14

When you see the term ‘Satèn’ on a bottle of Franciacorta, what does that indicate?

Answer 14

• Brut only.
• Max. pressure of 5 atmospheres.
• Chardonnay with a max. of up to 50% Pinot Bianco (no Pinot Nero).

Question 15

What is the local name for Nebbiolo in Lombardy?

Answer 15

Chiavennasca

Question 16

Chiavennasca (the local name for Nebbiolo in Lombardy) goes into this red wine DOCG.

Answer 16

Valtellina Superiore DOCG

Question 17

Valtellina Superiore DOCG makes what style of wine made from what grape?

Answer 17

Dry red wines from Nebbiolo locally known as Chiavennasca.

Question 18

Sforzato di Valtellina DOCG makes what style of wine made from what grapes?

Answer 18

Red wines made with passito-dried Chiavennasca.

Question 19

What food would you serve with Valtellina Superiore DOCG?

Answer 19

Meat or fat, but a classic pairing is the dish pizzoccheri, a hearty pasta dish made with buckwheat pasta, gooey Casera cheese, potatoes and chicory.

Get a recipe for pizzoccheri here.

Question 20

How flexible or inflexible is Franciacorta when it comes to pairing it with food?

Answer 20

Very flexible with food pairings, like Champagne.