Italian Wine Classification Guide
Modern Italy has built a strong reputation for producing
very fine wines. Italy grows and exports the widest array
of wines and is the home of some of the oldest wine
producing regions in the world. Italian producers have
improved wine making techniques and created stringent
quality and production standards such as:
1. Denomination of Origin Controlled and Guaranteed (DOCG)
This is the highest classification for Italian wines
and very few Italian wines meet the standards needed
to qualify in this category. The DOCG must pass a blind
taste test for quality in addition to conforming to strict legal
requirements. There are 33 DOCG’s in Italy, each has its
own rules and regulations that a producer must meet in
order to get the coveted pink and green labels proclaiming
its own authenticity. Pink labels for red wines, and green
for white. The rules include specifications on origin of
the grapes, the soil it’s grown in and a limitation on the
yield of production. There are also rules covering aging,
bottling, and the wine making process. Some of the wines
in the DOCG category are: Barbareso, Barolo, Brunello di
Montalcino, Chiante and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and
Valtellina Superiore.
2. Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC) There
are over 300 DOC’s throughout Italy. The rules are about
the same as DOCG except slightly more relaxed, usually
the aging process is just a bit shorter and the price a
little lower. Good examples of this group are Aglianico
del Vulture, Bolgheri Sassicaia, DOC wines by the words
Denominazione di Origine Controllata written directly on
the bottle’s label.
3. Indicazione Geografica Tipica (IGT) denotes wine from
a specific region within Italy. Italian authorities provided
a way for producers to obtain official recognition of their
wines. This category was introduced in 1997 as a way of
giving importance to wines that weren’t traditional Italian
wines. The famous Super Tuscans are now IGT’s, this has
promoted the innovation and creation of new interesting
wines, using international grapes that aren’t allowed in the
DOCG, and DOC categories.
Some of the most expensive wines in Italy such as the
famous Tignanello and Sassicaia from the Bolgheri region
of Tuscany. An IGT wine will have IGT printed on the label.
4. Vin da Tavola (VDT) means table wine. These are
the wines produced for everyday needs of Italian wine
drinkers. The bottle’s label includes the region where it
was bottled, the amount of alcohol, and the amount of
wine in the bottle. No vintage necessary. Due to stringent
regulations on grapes and or wine making practices you
may occasionally find some of Italy’s top wines included in
this category possible you may stumble upon something
spectacular.
Another house specialty is our stuffed breads, spinach,
meat and pepperoni and fresh pizza dough. Other
specialties are pepper frisseli and tarralli.
Vinturi Red Wine Aerator
Aerate red wine in seconds for better taste
The Vinturi Aerator is clearly on the
cutting edge of wine aerating. When
wine is poured
in the Vinturi, it mixes just the right
amount of air with your wine at the
precise moments, see-through aerators
help your wine to breathe instantly.
The Vinturi Red Wine Aerator results in a
better bouquet, enhanced flavor, and
a smoother finish.
The aerator comes with a no-drip base and
a travel pouch. Acrylic. Aerators and bases
are dishwasher safe. The travel pouch is machine washable.
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Learning to Enjoy Wine
Essentials of Tasting and Enjoying Wine
There’s a difference between Tasting and Drinking wine.
• To taste wine is to distinguish flavors on your pallet.
Distinguishing the four elements of taste: Sweet, Sour,
Salty and Bitter.
• To drink wine is to take into the mouth and swallow.
Five Basic steps in Tasting Wine
Color:
White Wine:
The color ranges between pale yellow green to brown.
Older whites color tends toward brown. Brown color is a
caution sign that the wine could be oxidized (bad). Varietals
are different colors. I.E.: chardonnay is usually a color of
yellow gold or a Pinot Grigio being a straw color.
Red Wine:
The color ranges between a purple to brown. Purple being
a sign of very young and fresh wine to rusty red brown or
brick color tends to indicate a very mature wine. A brown
only color usually indicates a very old, bad wine oxidized
and not palatable.
Swirl:
WHY Swirl? It allows oxygen into the wine and releases
bought and aroma. Also, try the Vinturi or an Eisch decanter.
Smell:
Smell the wine at least 3 times. Each time you will get
more information. Most people do not spend enough time
concentrating on smell. Focus, on the smell. Ask yourself,
what is the aroma telling me. White wines concentrate the
varietal and smelling will enable you to differentiate each of
the varitels.
Red wines are a little more difficult due to the variety of
blends. If possible concentrate at first on the Sangiovese,
Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon. Attempt to memorize each
of the smells, being unconcerned about terminology. While
focusing on the smell you will be able to discern defective
wine such as:
Vinegar – Acetic
Sherry – Oxidation
Wet/Moldy – Defective cork
Sulfur – To much Sulfur Dioxide
Note: It is said that 90% of taste is attributed to the smell. Taste:
Now is the time to use your taste buds, both sides of your
tongue underneath, tip and back of your tongue. To taste
wine (to evaluate) take in some wine and swirl in your mouth
to cover all of your taste buds. (Taste for a minimum of 3 to 6
seconds) Evaluate:
• Sweetness – From the tip of your tongue.
• Acidity – On the sides of the tongue and the back of your
throat.
• Bitterness – On the back of your tongue
• Fruit – Characteristics, the weight of the wine (body) in
the middle of the tongue.
• Tannin – The sensation starts in the middle of the tongue.
Tannin dries the palate. Excessive tannin can coat your
pallet blocking the fruit. Tannin exists primarily in red wine
and in some white wines that are aged in wood.
• After Taste – Is the overall taste and balance of the
various components of the wine on your pallet. How long
does the taste last, a few seconds or up to 3 minutes?
Usually the taste of great wines last up to or more than 3
minutes.
Savor:
As you taste, reflect on the taste and savor it. Now is the time
to focus on a few specifics:
• What has this wine said to me?
• Body of the wine, is it light, medium or full bodied?
• Red wine, are the tannins mild, strong, astringent or is it
balanced?
• White wine, is the acidity and or mineral, light, medium
too much or is it balanced?
• Which component is the strongest: sweet, fruit, acid or
tannin?
• Length of the taste—number of seconds or minutes?
• Is this a style or a wine that I enjoy and will purchase again?
You are the only one to judge the wines you like. Always
remember the label, price, presentation, ambiance and
friends can influence your perception of taste.
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Taste a glass of chilled Italian wine while you’re here.
| E. 48th Street Fans |
A touch of NY in Dunwoody “For a great selection
of Italian wine — and fabulous help to find the right one;
for sandwiches you crave; for a staff who remembers
your name; for fresh mozzarella and breads assortment
like you can’t find in Dunwoody... It’s gotta be 48th Street!
My son swears by their meatball subs.” 5 stars annrp at Citysearch “You can also find a nice selection of Italian wines and
pasta sauce” - urbanspoon.com |
 Renato Ratti Barolo 2004 “There are no standards of taste in wine, cigars, poetry,
prose etc. Each man’s own taste is standard and a
majority vote can not decide for him or in the slightest
degree affect the supremacy of his own standard.”
– Mark Twain, 1895  Wine tasting event.
Cheese & Wine Pairings
Pairing wine with food is more of an art than a science.
Wines are as diverse as the people who love wines. E. 48th
Street Market is a great resource and will help you choose
the perfect wine to complement any meal. With over 140
selections of Italian wines the Market has become an “Italian
wine” destination for retail wines for everyday table wines,
special occasion and cellar wine selections. Now that we
have our new “Wine Bar” you may purchase a taste, half or
full glass of wine. Feel free to join us for a glass of wine with
lunch, or an early dinner. Of course we always have a seat
for our guests who want to relax for a few minutes and while
reading your favorite book or newspaper.
You can also purchase a six pack or a enjoy a bottle of the
most popular Italian pilsner and dark beers.
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