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Trento DOC (''
Chardonnay grapes were first brought to the region from France around 1900 by Giulio Ferrari when
Besides Ferrari, there are currently fifty-eight wineries producing Trento DOC, including Cavit, the largest cooperative in the province with some 65% of production and whose Pinot grigio is widely exported but produced under a different DOC designation in the Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol wine region; Rotari, who specialize in sparkling wine and also use the Talento identification; and Cesarini Sforza, founded in 1974 by a group of wine entrepreneurs who focus on spumante.
As with Méthode Traditionnelle, the second fermentation for sparkling Trento must occur in the bottle, which is riddled and then disgorged by freezing a small amount of wine in the neck of the bottle and removing the plug of ice containing the lees.
Trento DOC has more rigorous requirements than Methodo Claissico or Méthode Traditionnelle: The wine has to be made using techniques characteristic of the region, including how the vines are planted, cultivated, pruned, and hand-harvested (e.g., see photo of 'Pergola Trentino'). Forcing is not permitted, irrigation is allowed only as an emergency measure, maximum vine yield is 150 q.l. per hectare for all varietals, and maximum grape yield is 70%. The wines must rest for a minimum of 15 months on their lees for non-vintage, 24 months for vintage, and 36 for riserva. Minimum alcohol content must be 11.5%, or 12% for riserva. Thus ensuring Trento DOC on the label means the wine is of the highest quality and made using these very strict standards.
Trento DOC wines are distinguished by a delicate, rich bouquet, a dry, smooth, rounded and elegant flavor, and a straw-yellow color.
While there are no DOC restrictions on the exact proportions of the blend, the grape varieties used in Trento DOC are limited to Chardonnay, Pinot noir, Pinot Meunier and Pinot blanc. After secondary fermentation, the wines must rest on their lees for a minimum of 15 months for non-vintage wines, 24 months for vintage wines and 36 months for wines labeled as '' Riserva''. The alcohol level for the finished wines must be a minimum of 11.5% for non-vintage and vintage wines and 12% for ''Riserva'' wines.
Denominazione di origine controllata
The following four classification of wine, classifications of wine constitute the Italy, Italian system of labelling and legally protecting Italian wine:
* ''Denominazione di origine'' (DO, rarely used; ; 'designation of origin');
* ''Indicazione ...
'') is an appellation for white and ''rosé
A rosé () is a type of wine that incorporates some of the wine color, color from the grape skins, but not enough to qualify it as a red wine. It may be the oldest known type of wine, as it is the most straightforward to make with the Macerati ...
'' sparkling wine
Sparkling wine is a wine with significant levels of carbon dioxide in it, making it fizzy. While it is common to refer to this as champagne, European Union countries legally reserve that word for products exclusively produced in the Champagne ( ...
made in Trentino
Trentino (), officially the Autonomous Province of Trento (; ; ), is an Autonomous province#Italy, autonomous province of Italy in the Northern Italy, country's far north. Trentino and South Tyrol constitute the Regions of Italy, region of Tren ...
, Italy. Trentinos developed this appellation, the second in the world after Champagne
Champagne (; ) is a sparkling wine originated and produced in the Champagne wine region of France under the rules of the appellation, which demand specific vineyard practices, sourcing of grapes exclusively from designated places within it, spe ...
, to ensure quality and distinction. Only Chardonnay, Pinot noir
Pinot noir (), also known as Pinot nero, is a red-wine grape variety of the species ''Vitis vinifera''. The name also refers to wines created predominantly from Pinot noir grapes. The name is derived from the French language, French words fo ...
, and Pinot Meunier with Pinot blanc are permitted, and they must be grown in a well-defined area within the Province of Trento
Trento ( or ; Ladin language, Ladin and ; ; ; ; ; ), also known in English as Trent, is a city on the Adige, Adige River in Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol in Italy. It is the capital of the Trentino, autonomous province of Trento. In the 16th ...
.P. Saunders ''Wine Label Language'' pp. 209 Firefly Books 2004
History
Chardonnay grapes were first brought to the region from France around 1900 by Giulio Ferrari when Trento
Trento ( or ; Ladin language, Ladin and ; ; ; ; ; ), also known in English as Trent, is a city on the Adige, Adige River in Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol in Italy. It is the capital of the Trentino, autonomous province of Trento. In the 16th ...
was still part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. After graduating from the Forschungsanstalt für Garten- und Weinbau in Geisenheim/Rheingau, Germany, Ferrari gained winemaking
Winemaking, wine-making, or vinification is the production of wine, starting with the selection of the fruit, its Ethanol fermentation, fermentation into alcohol, and the bottling of the finished liquid. The history of wine-making stretches over ...
experience in the Champagne-producing town of Épernay. His eponymous company is now run by the third generation Ferrari's successor, Bruno Lunelli.
Vineyards
Besides Ferrari, there are currently fifty-eight wineries producing Trento DOC, including Cavit, the largest cooperative in the province with some 65% of production and whose Pinot grigio is widely exported but produced under a different DOC designation in the Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol wine region; Rotari, who specialize in sparkling wine and also use the Talento identification; and Cesarini Sforza, founded in 1974 by a group of wine entrepreneurs who focus on spumante.
Winemaking
As with Méthode Traditionnelle, the second fermentation for sparkling Trento must occur in the bottle, which is riddled and then disgorged by freezing a small amount of wine in the neck of the bottle and removing the plug of ice containing the lees.
Trento DOC has more rigorous requirements than Methodo Claissico or Méthode Traditionnelle: The wine has to be made using techniques characteristic of the region, including how the vines are planted, cultivated, pruned, and hand-harvested (e.g., see photo of 'Pergola Trentino'). Forcing is not permitted, irrigation is allowed only as an emergency measure, maximum vine yield is 150 q.l. per hectare for all varietals, and maximum grape yield is 70%. The wines must rest for a minimum of 15 months on their lees for non-vintage, 24 months for vintage, and 36 for riserva. Minimum alcohol content must be 11.5%, or 12% for riserva. Thus ensuring Trento DOC on the label means the wine is of the highest quality and made using these very strict standards.
Trento DOC wines are distinguished by a delicate, rich bouquet, a dry, smooth, rounded and elegant flavor, and a straw-yellow color.
While there are no DOC restrictions on the exact proportions of the blend, the grape varieties used in Trento DOC are limited to Chardonnay, Pinot noir, Pinot Meunier and Pinot blanc. After secondary fermentation, the wines must rest on their lees for a minimum of 15 months for non-vintage wines, 24 months for vintage wines and 36 months for wines labeled as '' Riserva''. The alcohol level for the finished wines must be a minimum of 11.5% for non-vintage and vintage wines and 12% for ''Riserva'' wines.
References
See also
* List of Italian DOCG wines {{wines Italian DOC Sparkling wines Wines of Trentino