Misplaced Pages

#630369

35-837: Asprinio bianco is a white Italian wine grape variety grown primarily in southwest Italy , around the Naples region of Campania . It is currently not believed to be related to the similarly named French wine grape of the Languedoc region, Aspiran . In Naples the grape is used to make lightly sparkling frizzante wine. Among the synonyms Asprinio is known under include Asprinia di Aversa, Asprinio, Asprino, Greco, Lacrima, Olivese, Ragusano, Ragusano Bianco, Uva Asprina and Uva Asprinia. DNA profiling has shown that some plantings in Italy, Greco and Asprinio were genetically identical. Italian wine Italian wine ( Italian : vino italiano )

70-482: A French and two German wine types made from the same grape variety illustrate what the EU wine regulations stipulate, and how the individual countries have applied various stricter regulations than the minimum for these "quality wines". In a sense, the EU wine regulations as such are rather invisible to the wine consumers and the wine trade, since the details of quality classifications and labelling practices are generally part of

105-582: A much longer history than the EU wine regulations, the EU regulations have been designed to accommodate existing regulations of several member states. In particular, the existing regulations concerning French wine , with its detailed appellation laws , formed a basis, while also making room for the very different German wine classification system. In general, the EU wine regulations provide for minimum standards across EU, while making it possible for individual member states to enact stricter standards in certain areas in their national wine laws. An example comparing

140-406: A part of CAP, do not include regulations on age limits for buying or drinking alcohol, regulations on wine advertising or retailing and other aspects of national social or public health policies of the individual EU member states. While a large bulk of the text of the regulations is concerned with winemaking practices and the like, much of the history of the EU wine regulations has been linked to

175-421: A procedure often referred to as " emergency distillation ", although it has remained in force for decades. At about the same time, domestic consumption of inexpensive wine started to drop within the larger wine producing countries of Europe, making it even harder to return to the previous state of market equilibrium. From the 1980s, this has meant a marked reduction in the total demand, in terms of quantity, despite

210-501: A richer wine by eliminating the white grapes from the Chianti blend, and instead, adding Bordeaux varietals (namely, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot). He was inspired by Sassicaia, of which he was given the sale agency by his uncle Mario Incisa della Rocchetta . The result was one of the first Super Tuscans, which he named Tignanello , after the vineyard where the grapes were grown. What was formerly Chianti Classico Riserva Vigneto Tignanello,

245-592: A specification for the method of production of vino cotto . Vincotto , typically from Basilicata and Apulia regions, also starts as a cooked must but is not fermented , resulting in a sweet syrup suitable for the preparation of sweets and soft drinks. In Roman times it was known as sapa in Latin and epsima in Greek, the same names that are often used for it, respectively, in Italy and Cyprus. European Union wine regulations The EU wine regulations, as

280-501: Is a form of wine from the Marche and Abruzzo regions of central Italy . It is typically made by individuals for their own use as it cannot legally be sold as wine. The must, from any of several local varieties of grapes, is heated in a copper vessel where it is reduced in volume by up to a third before fermenting in old wooden barrels. It can be aged for years, barrels being topped up with each harvest. The Marche authorities have set down

315-497: Is a list of the most common and important of Italy's many grape varieties. Other important whites include Carricante, Coda de Volpe, Cortese, Falanghina , Grechetto , Grillo , Inzolia , Picolit , Traminer , Verduzzo , and Vernaccia . Other major red varieties are Cannonau , Ciliegiolo , Gaglioppo , Lagrein , Lambrusco , Monica , Nerello Mascalese , Pignolo , Refosco , Schiava , Schioppettino , Teroldego , and Uva di Troia . The term Super Tuscan (mostly used in

350-506: Is given for authorising deviations in vintages of exceptional climatic conditions. The reason why these regulations exist on the EU level is because of the common market inside the EU, which has led to a need to harmonise regulations for various products which traditionally have been regulated on a national level. The EU wine regulations form a framework for the wine laws of the European Union member states . Since national wine laws have

385-456: Is produced in every region of Italy . Italy is the country with the widest variety of indigenous grapevine in the world, with an area of 702,000 hectares (1.73 million acres) under vineyard cultivation, as well as the world's second largest wine producer and the largest exporter as of 2023 . Contributing 49.8 million hl of wine in 2022, Italy accounted for over 19.3% of global production, ahead of France (17.7%) and Spain (13.8%);

SECTION 10

#1732847550631

420-611: The indicazione geografica tipica category (technically indicating a level of quality between vino da tavola and DOC(G)) in 1992 and the DOC Bolgheri label in 1994 helped bring Super Tuscans "back into the fold" from a regulatory standpoint. Since the pioneering work of the Super Tuscans, there has been a rapid expansion in the production of high-quality wines throughout Italy that do not qualify for DOC or DOCG classification. Many international wine guides and wine publications rate

455-547: The Vitis genus . Thus, uncrossed so-called American vines, such as Vitis labrusca , may not be used for wine and are not allowed in EU vineyards. Many winemaking practices depend on the classification of the wine – TW or QWpsr. Some practices also depend on where within EU the grapes are grown, since typical challenges to winemakers in colder or hotter climates are somewhat different. The defined European Union wine growing zones are used to regulate these practices, but some leeway

490-1207: The English-speaking world and less known in Italy) describes any wine (mostly red, but sometimes also white) produced in Tuscany that generally does not adhere to the traditional local DOC or DOCG regulations. As a result, Super Tuscans are usually Toscana IGT wines, while others are Bolgheri DOC , a designation of origin rather open to international grape varieties. Traditional Tuscan DOC(G)s require that wines are made from native grapes and mostly Sangiovese . While sometimes Super Tuscans are actually produced by Sangiovese alone, they are also often obtained by (1) blending Sangiovese with international grapes (such as Cabernet Sauvignon , Merlot , Cabernet Franc , and Syrah ) to produce red wines, (2) blending international grapes alone (especially classic Bordeaux grapes for reds; Chardonnay and Sauvignon blanc for whites), or (3) using one single international variety. Although an extraordinary amount of wines claim to be "the first Super Tuscan", most would agree that this credit belongs to Sassicaia ,

525-621: The Commission regulations are written by the European Commission in collaboration with the Wine Management Committee , where the member states are represented. The aspects regulated by EU fall mainly into the categories winemaking practices, classification and labelling, wine-production potential, documentation of wine industry activities, imports from non-EU countries, and duties of enforcement agencies. The wines produced in

560-559: The EU are divided into the two quality categories of table wines (TW) and quality wines produced in specified regions (QWpsr), of which QWpsr is the higher category. Rules for winemaking practices and labelling are different for TW and QWpsr. Similar categories also exist for sparkling wine . The TW and QWpsr categories are applied to different national wine classifications in each EU member state. Thus, some member states may have more than two levels of classification, but all national levels correspond to either TW or QWpsr and are subject to

595-542: The Romans planted their own vineyards . The Romans greatly increased Italy's viticultural area using efficient viticultural and winemaking methods. Vines have been cultivated from the wild Vitis vinifera grape for millennia in Italy. It was previously believed that viticulture had been introduced into Sicily and southern Italy by the Mycenaeans , as winemaking traditions are known to have already been established in Italy by

630-525: The brainchild of marchese Mario Incisa della Rocchetta , who planted Cabernet Sauvignon at his Tenuta San Guido estate in Bolgheri back in 1944. It was for many years the marchese's personal wine, until, starting with the 1968 vintage, it was released commercially in 1971. In 1968 Azienda Agricola San Felice produced a Super Tuscan called Vigorello, and in the 1970s Piero Antinori , whose family had been making wine for more than 600 years, also decided to make

665-827: The common minimum standards set out in the EU wine regulations. As an example, France uses four levels of classification. vin de table and vin de pays are both EU table wines, while vin délimité de qualité supérieure (VDQS) and appellation d'origine contrôlée (AOC) wines are QWpsr. Perhaps most importantly, the regulations define wine as "the product obtained exclusively from the total or partial alcoholic fermentation of fresh grapes, whether or not crushed, or of grape must". Furthermore, wine can only be made from grape varieties listed as allowed, and only those vine varieties may be planted for commercial purposes. Each EU member state draws up such lists of varieties, which may only contain purebred Vitis vinifera varieties, and certain crosses between V. vinifera and other species of

700-445: The demand stayed constant. This resulted in a surplus of wine. The answer from EEC was to intervene in the market to make some guarantee as to sales, while still keeping the freedom to plant new vineyards, which aggravated rather than solved the problem of overproduction. While looking like a very illogical policy in hindsight, this was in keeping with the view that what the EEC was aiming to do

735-455: The fact that the wine-importing countries of northern Europe have increased their consumption. Increasing wine exports from the New World , often in a style arrived at by market research rather than long tradition, also meant increased competition and changing tastes among wine consumers. As a result, the reduced total demand also included a shift in the demand towards higher quality level. Since it

SECTION 20

#1732847550631

770-436: The first official Italian system of classification of wines was launched. Since then, several modifications and additions to the legislation have been made, including a major modification in 1992. The last modification, which occurred in 2010, established four basic categories which are consistent with the latest European Union wine regulations (2008–09). The Italian Ministry of Agriculture (MIPAAF) regularly publishes updates to

805-517: The following year, production decreased by 11.5 million hl, and Italy was surpassed by France. Italian wine is also popular domestically among Italians, who consume a yearly average of 46.8 litres per capita, ranking third in world wine consumption. The origins of vine-growing and winemaking in Italy has been illuminated by recent research, stretching back even before the Phoenician , Etruscans and Greek settlers, who produced wine in Italy before

840-549: The issue of market imbalances and overproduction of wine. In the early days of the CAP, the wine sector of the then- European Economic Community (EEC) was in reasonable equilibrium for a rather short period of time. During this time, there were no regulations as to plantations and few interventions into the market, as this was not needed. However, the early post-World War II saw the introduction of many technological innovations within viticulture, which soon led to increased production, while

875-428: The legislation was simplified. A major revision was done in 1999, and it has been stated several times since then that the ambition is to phase out interventions such as emergency distillation, since they are "artificial outlets" for wine. However, this aim has proven difficult to achieve. The latest round of reforms was announced in 2006 and led to agreed legal documents in 2008. Some of the key points were: Many of

910-633: The most popular Italian wines. Among the Italian publications, Gambero Rosso is probably the most influential. In particular, the wines that are annually given the highest rating of "three glasses" ( Tre Bicchieri ) attract much attention. Recently, other guides, such as Slow Wine, published by Slow Food Italia, and Bibenda, compiled by the Fondazione Italiana Sommelier, have also gained attention both among professionals and amateurs. Vino cotto ( lit.   ' cooked wine ' )

945-603: The official classification. The categories, from the bottom to the top level, are: Important wine-relevant geographic characteristics of Italy include: The main wine production areas in Italy, with the wine-growing areas, the main vines (the native ones in italics) and the main wines produced: Italy is the country with the widest variety of indigenous grapevine in the world. Italy's Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MIPAAF), has documented over 350 grapes and granted them "authorized" status. There are more than 500 other documented varieties in circulation as well. The following

980-556: The reforms were less sweeping than what had initially been proposed, and the implementation of several items delayed. The central document of the EU wine regulations is entitled Council Regulation on the common organisation of the market in wine and it is supplemented by several Commission regulations. The former document has been adopted by the Council of the European Union through the member states' ministers of agriculture , while

1015-713: The time the Phoenician and Greek colonists arrived on Italy's shores around 1000–800 BC. However, archeological discoveries on Monte Kronio in 2017 revealed that viticulture in Sicily flourished at least as far back as 4000 BC — some 3,000 years earlier than previously thought. Also on the peninsula, traces of Bronze Age and even Neolithic grapevine management and small-scale winemaking might suggest earlier origins than previously thought. Under ancient Rome large-scale, slave-run plantations sprang up in many coastal areas of Italy and spread to such an extent that, in AD 92, Emperor Domitian

1050-409: The vintage, modern Italy is the world's largest or second-largest wine producer. In 2005, production was about 20% of the global total, second only to France, which produced 26%. In the same year, Italy's share in dollar value of table wine imports into the U.S. was 32%, Australia's was 24%, and France's was 20%. Along with Australia, Italy's market share has rapidly increased in recent years. In 1963,

1085-532: Was customary, at the time, for young people to drink wine mixed with a good proportion of water. As the laws on provincial viticulture were relaxed, vast vineyards began to flourish in the rest of Europe, especially Gaul (present-day France) and Hispania . This coincided with the cultivation of new vines, such as biturica, an ancestor of the Cabernets . These vineyards became so successful that Italy ultimately became an import centre for provincial wines. Depending on

Asprinio bianco - Misplaced Pages Continue

1120-453: Was forced to destroy a great number of vineyards in order to free up fertile land for food production. During this time, viticulture outside of Italy was prohibited under Roman law. Exports to the provinces were reciprocated in exchange for more slaves, especially from Gaul . Trade was intense with Gaul, according to Pliny , because the inhabitants tended to drink Italian wine unmixed and without restraint. Although unpalatable to adults, it

1155-613: Was pulled from the DOC in 1971, first eliminating the white grapes (then compulsory in Chianti DOC) and gradually adding French varieties. By 1975, Tignanello was made with 85% Sangiovese, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Cabernet Franc, and it remains so today. Because these wines did not conform to strict DOC(G) classifications, they were initially labelled as vino da tavola ( lit.   ' table wine ' ), an old official category ordinarily reserved for lower quality wines. The creation of

1190-404: Was realised that the vineyards in some locations would be unlikely to yield wines of the necessary quality, increased financial incentives for giving up vineyards, so-called grubbing-up schemes or vine pull schemes , were introduced in the late 1980s. This led to reduced overproduction, but a complete balance has so far never been achieved. In the mid to late 1990s, much of CAP was overhauled and

1225-454: Was to balance variations in production from year to year. After the realisation that the surplus was a structural one rather than a temporary variation, the wine regulations were changed to be more interventionist in 1978, with a ban on additional vineyard plantations, which means that a system of planting rights was introduced to regulate replantations. Also, requirements to distill the surplus wine into industrial alcohol were introduced,

#630369