Wine

Regions

Old World

Italy

NORTHWEST ITALY

Production Table

Northwest Italy

This area includes the great wine region of Piedmont as well as the regions of Liguria, Lombardy and Valle d'Aosta.

Few areas encompass such contrasting topography as the northwest of Italy, from the alpine pistes of the Valle d'Aosta and the Apennines of Liguria to the alluvial plains of the river Po. Contrast is also evident in the character of its two most famous wines: the big, black and tannic Barolo and the light, water-white, effervescent and grapey-sweet Asti.

PIEDMONT (PIEMONTE)

Piedmont is dominated by three grapes: Nebbiolo, Barbera and Moscato. It is Nebbiolo which is responsible for the magnificently rich and smoky Barolo and the elegant, more feminine, yet sometimes more powerful Barbaresco. The softer Barbera has a much greater yield than Nebbiolo but is potentially almost as fine; it excels around Alba Piedmont also produces Asti, which is Italy's most popular fine wine. Made from the Moscato grape, its light, succulently sweet and grapey character makes Asti spumante undeniably the world's best sparkling wine for accompanying dessert.

LOMBARDY (LOMBARDIA)

Northeast of Piedmont, Lombardy stretches from the flat plains of the Po Valley to snow-clad Alpine peaks The region's finest wines include Franciacorta's full reds and excellent spumante classico. and Valtellina's red Sassella These wines are still relatively unknown compared to Piedmont's Barolo or Barbaresco and are good value.

LIGURIA

One of Italy's smallest regions, Liguria is more famous for its Riviera, which is set against the dramatic and beautiful backdrop of the Maritime Alps, than it is for its wines. The best-known Ligurian wine is named after of Cinque Terre ( five villages), above which the steep, intricately terraced vineyards tower like some Aztec pyramid. Most vines come in the category of pleasant holiday drinking.

VALLE D'AOSTA

Up in the Alps is the Valle d'Aosta, Italy's smallest and most mountainous wine region. Its high-altitude vineyards are petty and produce some enjoyable wines but none that are truly fine
Fine wines of Piedmont

Fine Wines of Piedmont

ARNEIS DEI ROERI VT

These wines arc produced from the ancient Arneis grape variety grown in the hills north of Alba.

WHITE The best are amazingly rich and hull flavored yet soft, deftly balanced with a fine frizzantino.

Grape:Arneis
Best: 1984,1985,1986 Between 3 5 years
* Castello di Neive, Bruno Giacosa, Vietti

ASTI or ASTI SPUMANTE DOC

Italy's greatest sparkling wine, and one of the most famous wines in the world, is produced by cuve close from grapes grown in 52 communes throughout the provinces of Asti Cuneo and Alessandria.

SPARKLING WINE The cuve close method produces wines with a fresh, grapey appeal. The best Asti has a fine mousse of tiny bubbles, a luscious sweetness and a light, delicately rich fruitiness that hints at peaches.

Muscat
Mostly non vintage
Best: Within 1 2 years

* Villa Banfi, Barbero, Bersano, Luigi Bosca, Cantina Sociale Canelli, Villa Carlotta, Cinzano, Giuseppe Contratto, Cora, Duca d'Asti, Fontanafredda, Gancia. Kiola, Martini, Sperone, Tosti

BARBARESCO DOCG

Produced from Italy's greatest indigenous grape variety. The wines must be aged for a minimum of two years, one of which must DC in oak or chestnut casks.

BARBARESCO
RED Generally more feminine and elegant than Barolo, Barbaresco has a suppler structure, softer fruit and a more obvious charm.

Nebbiolo
Best: 1982,1983,1985,1986 Between 5-20 years

* Accademia, Torregiorgi, Castello di Neive, Bruno Ceretto,, Pio Cesare, Fratelli Cigliuti, Giuseppe Cortese Angelo Gaga, Bruno Giacosa, Marchese di Gresy, Produttori di Barbaresco

BARBERA D ALBA DOC

Barbera is the most prolific Piedmont vine and, as such, has a somewhat lowly image. It is, in fact, one of Italy's great grapes.

RED At their best these wines are magnificently rich and flavorful. Barbera and up to a maxiumum of 15% Nebbiolo

Best: 1982,1983,1985,1986 Between 5-12 years

* Elio, Altare Pio Cesare, Aldo Contemo. Giacomo Contemo,, Damonte, Renato Ratti, Vietti

BAROLO DOCG

Great Barolo is incomparable.

RED Deep, sometimes inky deep, in color and powerfully built. top quality Barolos are capable of great smoky complexity and surprising finesse for such weighty wines. Barolo's image is only dented by the many poorly produced, oxidized or even foul wines that are allowed, quite reprehensibly,; to carry this great and famous appellation.

Nebbiolo

Best: 1982,1983,1985,1986 Between 8-25 years

* Elio Altare Fratelli Barale,, Giacomo Borgogno, Cavalotto, Ceretto, Clerico,. Aldo Contemo. Giacomo Contemo, Paolo Cordero. Fontanafredda. Franco Fiorina,, Fratelli Oddero, Bruno Giacosa Valentino Migliorini, Marchesi di Barolo Giuseppe Mascarello Renato Ratti. Giuseppe Rinaldi Cantina Sociale Terre del Barolo, Vietti

BRICCO MANZONI VT

Valentino Migliorini

This Nebbiolo and Barbera blend gets better with each vintage.

RED A deep-colored, red. full bodied,
rich and beautifully balanced wine.

Barbera, Nebbiolo
Best: 1982,1985 Between 5-10 years

CARAMINO VT

Up-and-coming wines from vineyards in the Novara foothills

RED Elegant, full bodied wines that gain considerable finesse with age.

Nebbiolo
Best: 1982,1983,1985,1986 Between 4 12 years

* Luigi Dessilani

CORTESE DI GAVIor GAVI DOC

The quality and character of these fashionable wines is very uneven

WHITE At best, soft-textured, dry white trite wines with a slight frzzantino when
young, they develop a honey rich flavor after a couple of years in bottle Some examples may be definitely frizzante.

Cortese
Best: 1982,1983,1985,1986 Between 2-3 years

* Gavi del Gavi, Pio Cesare. Fontanafredda

GATTINARA DOC

Wines from the right bank of the river Sesia in northern Piedmont.

RED Gattinara is a fine wine if it is not - atypically - overcropped When young( the fruit can be chunky or rustic. but fine. silky textured flavor and a graceful violet-perfumed finesse can develop when mature.

Nebbiolo and up IO a maximum of 10% Bonarda
Best: 1982, 1983, 1985, 1986 Between 6-15 years

* Mario Antoniolo, Augustino Brugo,, Luigi Dessilani, Fontanafredda, Antonio Vallana

GHEMME DOC

Produced on the bank opposite Gattinara, Ghemme is usually regarded as the inferior of the two DOCs, but its wines are not over. cropped and are more consistent.

RED Although just as full in color, body and devour as Gattinara, Ghemme starts off with a much finer bouquet and more elegant fruit,

Nebbiolo 60-85%, Vespolina 10 30% and up to a maximum of 15% Bonarda novarese

Best: 1982, 1983, 1985, 1986 Between 4-15 years

* Antichi Vignetti di Cantelupo, Augustino Brugo, Luigi Dessilani

MOSCATO D'ASTI or MOSCATO D ASTI SPUMANTE DOC

Wines similar in flavor to Asti Spumante, but with a minimum pressure of three atmospheres, as opposed to five. StiU or just slightly frizzantino Moscato d Asti (or Moscato d'Asti Spumanti) should carry the Moscato Narurale d'Asti appellation, but the name on the label often drops the "Naturale" . For details of grape variety, best recent vintages and when to drink times, see Moscato Naturale D'Asti.

MOSCATO NATURALE D ASTI DOC

Sometimes simply labeled Moscato d'Asti, these wines are bottled with a high level of residual sugar and may continue to ferment inside the bottle.

WHITE These wines are occasionally still, but sometimes show the barest hint of a prickle and may be frizzantino or frizzante. They are always, however, rich and succulently sweet

Muscat
Best: Current vintage Immediately

* Ascheri,, Braida, Cantina Sociale Canelli, Duca d' Asti, Fontanafredda, Vignaili di S, Stefano, Vietti

MOSCATO DI STREVI VT

These wines are as good as Moscato d'Asti. For details of grape variety, best recent vintages and when to drink times, see Moscato Naturale D' Asti DOC.

NEBBIOLO D' ALBA DOC

Pure Nebbiolo wines come from an area between those of Barolo and Barbaresco.

RED Most wines are fine, full, rich and fruity Sweet and sparkling versions are allowed.

Nebbiolo
Best: 1982, 1983, 1985, 1986 Between 4-10 years

SPANNA VT

Spanna is the local name for the Nebbiolo and this Vino da Tavola should merely represent the most basic wines from this grape variety. In the hands of some specialists, however it can rival all but the best .Barolos and Barbarescos.

Spanna (Nebbiolo)

Best: 1982, 1983, 1985, 1986 Between 3-6 years (4-10 years in exceptional cases)

* Antonio Brugo, Luigi Dessilani, Antonio Vallana

The best dry sparkling wines of Piedmont

These wines are all made by the methode champenoise.

STEFANO BARBERO
CONTRATTO BRUT
LUIGI BOSCA BRUT ·NATURE

Other wines of Piedmont

BARBERA D ASTI* DOC

Similar in character to Barbera d'Alba, but softer, simpler and more supple.

BARBERA DEL
MONFERRATO* DOC

Most wines are lesser versions of Barbera d' Asti. Semi-sweet or frizzante styles may also be made.

BAROLO CHINATO DOC

Barolo aromatized with quinine.

BOCA* DOC

Medium to full-bodied. spicy red Nebbiolo wines; can be good value.

BRACHETTO D'ACQUI DOC

Sweet, frizzante and sparkling red wines with grapey, Muscat like characteristics.

BRACHETTO D'ALBA VT

Non DOC Brachetto wine from Alba.

BRACHETTO D'ASTI VT

Non DOC Brachetto wine from Asti.

BRAMATERRA* DOC

Full bodied red wines.

BRICCO DEL DRAGO* VT

Cascina Drago A very balanced Dolcetto and Nebbiolo blend.

CALUSO PASSITO* DOC

Full bodied, sweet white wines made from passito Er. balanced grapes.

CAMPO ROMANO VT Fruity, red frizzante wines.

CAREMA* DOC

Soft, medium-bodied, Nebbiolo wines that are grown on the mountainous slopes close to the border with VaUe d'Aosta. They are good, reliable but not exciting.

COLLI TORTONESI DOC

Robust and rather rustic, full bodied reds and crisp, dry, sometimes frizzante, whites

CORTESE DELL'ALTO MONFERRATO DOC

Dry, crisp, still semi-sparkling and sparkling white wines.

DOLCETTO* VT

Many examples of Piedmont's famous Dolcetto wines are produced in non-classified areas and do not qualify for DOC status.

DOLCETTO D' ACQUI- DOC

Dolcetto is a plump grape with a low acid content that is traditionally used to make cheerful Beaujolais type wines that are deep purple in color and best enjoyed young.

DOLCETTO D ALBA* DOC

Soft, smooth, jug wines that should be drunk within three years.

DOLCETTO D'ASTI DOC Lighter versions of Dolcetto d'Alba

DOLCETTO DI DIANO D'ALBA* DOC

Slightly fuller and "raspier" than most other Dolcetto wines.

DI DOGLIANI DOC

Young, fresh and fruity Dolcetto from Dogliani

DOLCETTO DELLE LANGHE MONREGALESI DOC

These rarely encountered wines are produced in tiny quantities by a handful of growers. They arc reputed to have an exceptionally fine aroma.

DOLCETTO DI OVADA DOC

The fullest and firmest of Dolcettos that can last for as long as 10 years.

* Ascheri, Ceretto, Pio Cesare, Aldo Contemo, Giacomo Contemo, Angelo Gaga, Bruno Giacosa, Giuseppe Mascarello, Vietti

ERBALUCE DI CALUSO DOC

Fresh, dry, tight-bodied white wines. A passito version exists; see Caluso Passito DOC.

FARA DOC

Underrated enjoyable, fruity wines with a spicy scented character.

FAVORITA VT

Popular, dry, very crisp white wines.

FREISA D ASTI DOC

Fruity, dry and semi-sweet red wines; also sparkling and frizzante reds

FREISA DI CHIERI DOC

The same styles of wine as Freisa d' Asti from just outside Turin.

GABLANO. DOC Full bodied red Barbera wines of promising quality.

GRECO VT

Light, sharp white wines from a variant of the Erbaluce grape.

GRIGNOLINO D' ASTI DOC

Lightly tannic red wines with a slightly bitter aftertaste.

GRIGNOLINO DEL MONFERRATO CASALESE DOC

Light, crisp, fresh Grignolino from the Casale Monferrato area

LESSONA* DOC

Red wines that can be delightfully scented, with rich fruit and some finesse.

MALVASIA DI CASORZO D'ASTI DOC

Slightly aromatic, sweet, red and rose wines that may also be sparkling

MALVASIA DI CASTELNUOVO DON BOSCO DOC

Slightly aromatic, sweet, red, still and sparkling wines.

NEBBIOLO DEL PIEMONTE VT

Mostly simple red wines, but exceptionally fine examples are sometimes made in great years by the best Barolo and Barbaresco producers.

PICCONE VT Sella Lessona

Robust red wines made from a Gattinara like blend in the Vercelli, Longhi-di Carli

ROERO* DOC

These sometimes successful dry white wines are a blend of ancient Arneis and classic Nebbiolo They used to be sold as Bianco dei Roeri, a Vino da Tavola.

RUBINO DI CANTAVENNA* DOC

Full bodied red wines that are a blend of mostly Barbera, Grignolino and sometimes Freisa

SIZZANO* DOC

Good full bodied red wines produced from a Gattinara like blend on a bank of the river Sesia, just south of Ghemme.

Fine wines of Lombardy

FRANCIACORTA DOC

Produced on hilly slopes near Lake Iseo northeast of Milan, Franciacorta has been a DOC since 1967.

RED Well colored, medium- to full bodied wines that are capable of great richness and some finesse.

Cabernet franc 40 50%, Barbera 20 30%, Merlot 10-15% and up to a maximum of 15% of any other variety

Best: 1982, 1983, 1985, 1986 Between 3 8 years

WHITE These do not have the same record for consistency and quality as the reds, but their smooth, dry, fruity character shows promise. Pinot bianco, Chardonnay 1986 Within 1 3 years

SPARKLING WHITE Using the methode champenoise, with extended aging on the lees, Franciacorta has already demonstrated its potential for producing fine, biscuity, brut styles.

Pinot bianco, Chardonnay and up to a maximum of 15% Pinot grigio and Pinot nero

Best: Mostly non-vintage Between 2-5 years

SPARKLING ROSE The exceptional Ca del Bosco has a light richness of ripe fruit, strong mousse and soft balance.

Pinot bianco, Chardonnay and Up to a maximum of 15% Pinot grigio

Best: Mostly non-vintage Between 2-5 years

* Barboglio de Gaiocilli, Bellavista, Berlucchi, Ca del Bosco, Longhi de Carli

GRUMELLO DOC See Valtellina Superiore DOC.

INFERNO DOC See Valtellina Superiore DOC.

MAURIZIO ZANELLA VT Cd de' Bosco

Named after the owner of Ca del Bosco and considered to be the finest Bordeaux-style blend produced so far in Italy.

RED A full, rich, well colored wine with obvious finesse. Its delicious, juicy-fruitiness comes from the small proportion of maceration carbonique wine that is added to the blend

Cabernet sauvignon 40%, Cabernet franc 30% Merlot 30%

Best: 1981,1982,1983,1984,1985,1986 Between 3-1O years

MOSCATO Dl SCANZO VT

According to the Italian wine expert Burton Anderson this is a great wine of exquisite richness.

NARBUSTO VT Angelo Ballabio

A wine that has an extraordinary depth and richness of fruit despite spending eight years in wood.

OLTREPO PAVESE DOC

The Oltrepo Pavese is a large production area covering 42 communes south of the river Po. Only 17 per cent of the wine is sold under this DOC, the rest finds its way to specialist wineries in Piedmont,, who turn it into non-DOC spumante by cuve close and, increasingly, methode champenoise Marry styles of wine are produced, including nine pure varietals, asterisked below, which usually represent quite a good value.
There are also three geographical sub-district appellations: Oltrepo Pavese Barbacarlo, occasionally sweet, but usually dry, robust, red, frizzante; Oltrepo Pavese Buttafuoco, deep colored normally dry red wines that are rustic, but always show plenty of fruit; and Oltrepo Pavese Sangue di Giuda, soft, sweet,, red spumante called the "blood of Judas' . Basic reds and roses that are not varietals, nor special geographic sub-appellations, are also made in a great range of styles with equal variation in quality.

Barbera, Bonarda (Croatina), Cortese., Moscato bianco. (a pure varietal lquoroso is also produced), Pinot bianco. Pinot grigio., Pinot nero., Riesling Italico., Riesling Renano*, Ughetta, Uva rare

Best: 1982 1983,1985,1986
RED: Between 2-5 years WHITE AND ROSE: Within 1 -3 years

* Giacomo Agnes, Angelo Ballabio, Bianchina Alberici, Maga Lino

SASSELLA DOC See Valtellina Superiore DOC.

VALGELLA DOC See Valtellina Superiore DOC.

VALTELLINA SUPERIORE DOC

A narrow strip of vineyards on the north bank of the river Adda near the Swiss border, whose wines must contain a minimum of 12 per cent alcohol as opposed to 11 per cent for Valtellina. Most of the wines come from four sub-districts Grumello,, Inferno, Sassella (the best) and Valgella - the most productive but least good Sfursat or Sforzato, which literally means "strained, is a dry, concentrated Valtellina Superiore that has a minimum of 14.5 percent alcohol
RED The richness of these wines is belied by their elegance. They have good color and are capable of, developing exquisite finesse after several years in bottle. A minimum of 95% Chiavennasca (Nebbiolo), Pinot nero. Merlot, Rossola, Brugnola, Pignola Valtellina 1982,1983,1985,1986 Between 5- 15 years* Enologica Valtellinese, Fondazione Fojanini, Nino Negri, Nera, Rainoldi. Tona
Lombardy's best dry sparkling wines

Lombardy's best Sparkling Wines

BELLAVISTA CUVEE BRUT
BELLAVISTA GRAN CUVEE PAS OPERE
BERLUCCHI BRUT CUVEE IMPERIALE
BERLUCCHI BRUT CUVEE IMPERIALE MILLESIMATO
BERLUCCHI BRUT CUVEE IMPERIALE MAX ROSE
CA DEL BOSCO FRANCIACORTA PINOT BRUT CA DEL BOSCO FRANCLACORTA PAS DOSE
CA DEL BOSCO FRANCIACORTA CREMANT BRUT
DORIA PINOT BRUT
VILLA MAZZUCCHELLI BRUT
VILLA MAZZUCCHELLI PAS DOSE

Other wines of Lombardy

BOTTICINO* DOC

Full-bodied, Barbera based red wines with a good level of alcohol and a light tannic structure.

CANNETO VT

Vinous red wines with a bitter aftertaste that can be good value.

CAPRIANO DEL COLLE DOC

Rarely encountered red wines from the Sangiovese blended with Marzemino, Barbera and Merlot and tart, white wines from the Trebbiano.

CELLATICA* DOC

Vinous red wines that can be aromatic and flavour some. They have a slightly bitter aftertaste.

CLASTIDIO* VT Angelo Ballabio

Wines from Casteggio in the heart of the Oltrepo Pavese area. Medium bodied, full flavoured red and rose wines from a blend of Barbera, Cratina and Uva rare grapes and crisp, fresh Riesling and Pinot bianco white wines are made.

CLASIIDIUM* VTAngelo Ballabio

What used to be a very rich, medium sweet to sweet, golden white wine that aged beautifully and had a legendary reputation. Gradually it became drier, but the wine still maintained its extraordinary longevity and quality Since the ownership of Angelo Ballabio changed hands in the late- 1970s, most vintages have been a shadow of former ones.

COLLE DEL CALVARIO* V-T Castello di Grumello

A steadily improving, well structured red wine with good potential longevity. The white is attractively fresh and fruity.

COLLI MORENICI MANTOVANI DEL GARDA DOC

Dry, light bodied, red, white and rose.

GROPPELLO VT

Medium bodied, fruity red wines often in the amarone style.

LAMBRUSCO MANTOVANO VT

These frizzante red wines, which may be dry or sweet, are produced on the plains of Mantua (Mantova).

LUGANA* DOC

Soft, dry white Trebbiano wines made on I Lake Garda's shore.

RIVIERA DEL GARDA BRESCIANO DOC

On the opposite bank of Lake Garda to Valpolicella, this area produces light, fruity,, vinous, slightly bitter, red wines and soft rose win=.

RONCO DI MOMPIANO*VT

M. Pasolini Marzemino and Merlot arc blended to make aromatic and smooth red wine

SAN COLOMBANO ALLAMBRO or SAN COLOMBANO DOC

Robust. rustic red wines made from Croatina, Barbera and Uva rare.

TOCAI DI SAN MARTINO DELLA BATTAGLIA DOC

Dry full flavored white wines with a flowery aroma and slightly bitter aftertaste.

VALCALEPIO* DOC

Up-and-coming appellation for well colored, deeply flavored red wines made of i blend of 55-70% !Merlot and 2545% Cabernet sauvignon, and light,, dry and delicate white wines made from 55-70% Pinot bianco and 2545% Pinot grigio.

VALTELLINA* DOC

This generic appellation encompasses 19 communes of the province of Sondrio in the north of Lombardy. Most products arc light scented, medium bodied red wines of simple, although often pleasing, character. The finest Valtellina wines are virtually all Superiore. See Valtellina Superiore DOC.

VINO NOVELLO Dl ERBUSCO VT

Fruity red wines best drunk within a few months of the harvest

The wines of Liguria

BARBERA DI LINERO VT

Rather ordinary, medium bodied red wines from a variety that does much better a little further north in Piedmont.

BUZZETTO DI QUILIANO VT

Buzetto is the local name for the ubiquitous Trebbiano and its light,dry white wines arc lackluster and acidulously dry

CINQUE TERRE* DOC

Delicate, dry white wines and Cinque Terre Sciacchetra, which is a medium sweet,, passito, white wine.

LUMASSINA VT Dry, rather neutral white wines.

RIVIERA LIGURE DI PONENTE* DOC

Four former vini da tavola are grouped together under this appellation which covers the western riviera of Liguria. These are Ormeasco,, bright, cherry-red wines with juicy, raspberry; Dolcetto fruit; Pigato, full flavored yet precocious red wines; Rossese, well scented, characterful reds; and Vermentino, rich, full and dry white wines.

ROSA DI ALBENGA VT

Liguria's best known roses are vividly colored, dry and characterful. Remininsent of the dry roses of Provence.

ROSSESE DI DOLCEACQUA or DOLCEACQUA DOC

Red wines that arc capable of rich, lush fruit. a soft texture and spicy aromatic aftertaste.

The wines of Valle d'Aosta

AYMAVILLE* VT
Crisp, fruity wines from Aymaville southwest of Aosta.

BLANC DE COSSAN VT
Fresh, tart, blancs de noir from Cossan, just outside Aosta

BLANC DE MORGEX VT

Dry, sharp white wines that are low in alcohol, from the slopes above Morgex, close to La Salle.

BLANC DE LA SALLE VT

Lightly scented, fresh white wines that include methode champenoise sparkling wines.

CHAMBAVE ROUGE* VT

Attractively scented, crisp red wines from Barbera, Dolcetto and Gros vien grapes grown at Chambave

CREME DU VIEN DE NUS* VT

Don Augusto Pramotton Rich, fragrant red wine made by the village priest of Vien de Nus.

DONNAZ* DOC
Soft, well-balanced red wines with a slightly bitter aftertaste.

ENFER D'ARVIER DOC
Low-key, medium-bodied soft and fairly rich red wines.

GAMAY DELLA VALLE D'AOSTA VT

Fruity, Beaujolais type wines.

GAMAY-PINOT NERO VT
Light and fruity passetoutgrains type of blended wines.

LA COLLINE DE SARRE ET

CHESALLET* VT Fresh and fruity red wines.

MALVOISIE

DE COSSAN VT Semi-sweet, smooth and slightly bitter white wines.

MALVOISIE DE NUS VT Don Augusto Pramotton

This rich, white dessert wine is made by the village priest in day quantities. 'It is long-lived and expensive

MOSCATO DI CHAMBAVE* VT
Dry, well perfumed, full flavored, white wines.

PASSITO DI CHAMBAVE* VT

Sweet,, golden and long-lived, these aromatic white wines are made from traditional passito or semi-dried grapes.

PETIT ROUGE* VT Deep, dark and highly perfumed red wines.

SANGDES SALASSES VT
fruity but slightly bitter red wines from the Pinot noir.

TORRETTE* VT

Deep in color, bouquet and body, these wines are made from the Petit rouge grape