Category Archives: Testable Material for the CWE Exam

You may love it, or you may hate it—but if you know Lambrusco well, you probably love it. While the category suffers somewhat from an old-fashioned (and undeserved) reputation painting it as an always sweet, sometimes sticky and weirdly bubbly red—the truth is quite different. High-quality Lambrusco exists, and it can be red or rosé, spumante or frizzante, and is typically dry (although you may stumble upon an off-dry version if you try).

These refined versions of Lambrusco have been around a while and, beginning this year, another has emerged: Lambrusco di Sorbara Bianco Spumante DOC—a white Lambrusco. While other regions are expanding their repertoire to include rosé, Lambrusco has added white wine to theirs. While the grapes used in the production of Lambrusco are red, it is possible to squeeze the white(-ish) juice away from the red grape skins before any color extraction takes hold and produce a white wine from red grapes. Champagne (that other well-known sparkling wine) famously uses this method in the production of blanc de noirs.

Image via: https://www.opiciwinesandspirits.com/

Lambrusco di Sorbara is produced in the commune of Modena, located somewhat in the center of the province of Emilia-Romagna and stretching across part of the Po River Valley into the foothills of the Apennines. The appellation is named for a grape variety—Lambrusco di Sorbana—which must comprise at least 60% of the blend. Lambrusco Salamino may be included up to a maximum of 40%, while other Lambrusco varieties may be included in small amounts (up to 15%).

According to the updated disciplinare (rules of the appellation), the wines of the Lambrusco di Sorbara Bianco Spumante DOC are described as “refined and elegant (fully) sparkling white wines of high quality.” These wines may be produced using the tank method, or via the medoto classico (classic method of sparkling wine production, indicating that the second fermentation occurs in the bottle rather than a tank).

In addition, the wine is produced according to the following specifications:

• Appearance: fine and long-lasting bubbles, straw-yellow color in varying levels of intensity
• Aromas: fruity, floral, and intense
• Sweetness: Various levels of sweetness are allowed and will be designated as such on the label
• Minimum abv: 11%
• It is permitted for the wine to remain non-disgorged. Such wines will appear slightly cloudy and may contain the term rifermentazione in bottiglia (secondary fermentation in the bottle) on the label.

Welcome to the world, Lambrusco di Sorbara Bianco Spumante DOC!

TL/DR—News flash for wine students: The Lambrusco di Sorbara DOC has approved a new style of wine for the appellation—a white sparkling wine to be known as Lambrusco di Sorbara Bianco Spumante DOC

References/for more information:

• Official Journal of the EU – Lambrusco di Sorbara DOC-March 2025
• Disciplinare – Lambrusco di Sorbara DOC – updated 2025
• Click here for a wine map of Emilia Romagna, via Federdoc

Post authored by Jane A. Nickles…your blog administrator: jnickles@societyofwineeducators.org

Photo via: www.fincarionegro.com

Spain’s Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Ministerio de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentación, MAPA) has announced the approval of a new Denominación de Origen Protegida (PDO) for wine: the Vino de Pago Río Negro! As of March 20 (2025) the EU has also announced its approval of the new appellation. At last count, this makes for a new total of 27 vinos de pago for Spain.

The new appellation is located across the municipalities of Cogolludo, San Andrés, and Membrillera within the autonomous community (comunidad autónoma) of Castilla–La Mancha.

The area is defined by the steeply rising Rio Negro Plateau, with vineyards planted at 940 meters/3,085 feet to 1,000 meters/3,280 feet above sea level. The area enjoys a warm continental climate (with some Mediterranean influences), soils rich in clay, and a good diurnal temperature fluctuation. The areas surrounding the vines are composed of woodlands and scrublands which help to moderate the temperature and lend biodiversity to the region.

Photo via: www.fincarionegro.com

The Vino de Pago Río Negro is approved for the production of dry red wines (produced using a short list of allowed grapes) and dry white (100% Gewürztraminer) wines. All wines bearing the Vino de Pago Río Negro designation must be aged before being released to the market. The allowed list of grape varieties—along with other defined characteristics of the wine—is very specific, as discussed below:

• White wine (Blanco/Gewürztraminer):
  • Authorized grape variety: Gewürztraminer
  • Minimum alcohol by volume (abv) in the finished wine: 12%
  • Grapes must be de-stemmed
  • At least 50% of the grapes must undergo a period of pre-fermentation skin contact. They are then pressed and clarified by cold settling, and subsequent vinification takes place at very low temperatures, around 15 C (60F).
  • Ageing requirements: must be aged on the lees (in stainless steel or oak) for a minimum of 3 months; this must be followed by at least 1 month in the bottle and at least a further 1 month in the bottle

• Red wine (Tinto):
  • Authorized grape varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Tempranillo, and/or Tinto Fragoso
  • Red wines may be monovarietal or blends (multivarietal)
  • Minimum alcohol by volume (abv) in the finished wine: 13%
  • All grapes (whether de-stemmed or whole cluster) must undergo a pre-fermentation cold maceration (cold soak) for a period of between 3 and 21 days
  • Ageing requirements: minimum ageing of 11 months, of which at least 5 months must be in oak vessels (casks or barrels of varying sizes) followed by bottle ageing for at least a further 6 months

Photo via: www.fincarionegro.com

Bodegas Finca Río Negro—founded in 1988—is the sole producer of these wines. Their website has a wealth of information concerning the wines and the region.

Welcome to the world, Vino de Pago Río Negro!

References/for more information:

• Rio Negro PDO
• Pliego des Condiciones Vino de Pago Rio Negro (in Spanish)
• The website of Bodegas Finca Río Negro
• EU Council Implementing Decision Vino de Pago Rio Negro

Post authored by Jane A. Nickles…your blog administrator: jnickles@societyofwineeducators.org

Graphic via https://miconsejo.dovaldeorras.com

The Valdeorras DO—tucked into the mountains of the Serra do Courel and the Serra dos Ancares on the eastern edge of Galicia—was established in 1957. Since this time, it has been known primarily for crisp white wines produced from the relatively obscure (yet delicious) Godello grape variety.

In addition to varietal Godello and sparkling wines, the Valdeorras DO produces red wines based around Mencía (often supplemented with a splash of Tempranillo or Garnacha among other approved varieties). Other products of the DO include a dried-grape wine known as tostado as well as castes nobles wine made using grapes from a short list of preferred varieties, including Godello, Loureira, Treixadura, Dona Branca, Albarino, Torrontes, Mencía, Tempranillo, and Garnacha.

Other grapes (and blends) are approved for use in the more generic wines of the region, known as Valdeorras Blanco (for the whites) and Valdeorras Tinto (for the reds).

And now for the news: as of February 28 (2025), the EU has approved the production of rosé wine in the appellation, to be known as Valdeorras Rosado. According to the notice published in the EU Journal, rosado has traditionally been produced in the area, and renewed interest in lighter (and lower alcohol) wines has driven demand and appreciation of these local (pink) wines.

• Regulations concerning Valdeorras Rosado include the following guidelines:
  • Minimum 10.5% abv
  • Color: pink to cherry red in color, clear and bright
  • Aromas: intense aromas of ripe red fruit
  • Palate: red fruit flavors with a long finish and balance structure
  • Allowed grape varieties include: Mencía, Tempranillo, Merenzao, Brancellao, Sousón, Caiño Tinto, Espadeiro, Ferrón, Garnacha Tintorera (Alicante Bouschet), Gran Negro, and Mouratón

We look forward to trying these wines! Welcome to the world, Valdeorras Rosado!

References/for more information:

• Publication in the EU Journal re Valdeorras DO 2025
• Valdeorras DO Pliego di Condiciones update 2025
• Geography of Galicia via Wikipedia

Post authored by Jane A. Nickles…your blog administrator: jnickles@societyofwineeducators.org

Brilliant, crisp, and flavorful, Fiano di Avellino is one of Italy’s finest white wines. Produced in Campania, it is considered one of the best expressions of the Fiano grape variety—native to Southern Italy and known for its fruity, nutty, and floral character.

Fiano di Avellino—designated as a DOCG white wine of Italy since 2003—is required to be produced using a minimum of 85% Fiano grapes. Small amounts of Trebbiano Toscano, Coda di Volpe, and/or Greco are allowed as accessory varieties. Fiano di Avellino DOCG is a dry, complex, and harmonious white wine and—with a minimum of one year of aging—may be labeled as Fiano di Avellino Riserva DOCG.

In addition to these well-loved still (non-sparkling) white wines, the Fiano di Avellino DOCG now allows for the production of sparkling (spumante) wines within the appellation. Based on the same grape varieties, Fiano di Avellino Spumante DOCG and Fiano di Avellino Spumante Riserva DOCG will soon be available.

According to the revised disciplinare for the appellation, the region has a long history and tradition of sparkling wine production, and the Fiano grape variety has a natural proclivity for use in sparkling wine. The requirements for Fiano di Avellino Spumante DOCG include the following:

• Grape Varieties: minimum 85% Fiano, with an allowed 15% (max) Trebbiano Toscano, Coda di Volpe, and/or Greco
• Production method: it is mandatory that the traditional method of sparkling wine production be followed (indicating that second fermentation occurs within the bottle)
• Alcohol content: minimum 12% abv
• Style: May be vintage (millesimato) or non-vintage; sweetness levels may range from dry (zero dosage) to sweet
• Aging—Fiano di Avellino Spumante DOCG: a minimum of 9 months aging on the lees as well as a total of 18 months aging in the bottle before release
• Aging—Fiano di Avellino Spumante Riserva DOCG: a minimum of 9 months aging on the lees as well as a total of 36 months aging in the bottle before release

We will keep an eye out for the first release of Fiano di Avellino Spumante DOCG! Looking forward to trying it!

Note: as with all such updates, the paperwork is still winding its way through the bureaucratic back offices of the EU. As such, while this update has been approved and announced by the Italian Republic—via publication on the website of Italy’s National Wine Committee as well as the Gazzetta Ufficiale della Repubblica Italiana (Official Gazette of the Italian Republic)—the updated Disciplinare di Produzione has yet to be approved by the EU. In the meantime, the new style designations are allowed to be used on the labels of qualified wines. In the unlikely event that the change is not approved by the EU, the decree will be rescinded.

References/for more information:

• Disciplinare—Fiano de Avellino DOCG updated to include sparkling wine

Post authored by Jane A. Nickles…your blog administrator: jnickles@societyofwineeducators.org

Location of the Les Mûres Premier Cru within the P-L AOC (base map via the website of Vins de Bourgogne)

As revealed on November 21, 2024—via publication on the website of the INAO and in the Official Journal of the French Republic—a Premier Cru site has been approved for the Pouilly-Loché AOC (originally approved in 1940). The new premier cru is to be known as Les Mûres (Pouilly-Loché Premier Cru Les Mûres).

Located in the Mâconnais sub-region of Burgundy, the Pouilly-Loché AOC is a small appellation (totaling 33 hectares/79 acres) focusing on high-quality Chardonnay. The appellation is centered around the small town of Loché and located a short distance (5 km/3.2 miles) southwest of the city of Mâcon. The vineyards of the Pouilly-Loché AOC overlap those of the Pouilly-Vinzelles AOC so (at least in theory), the wines of Pouilly-Loché may be labeled as Pouilly-Vinzelles. (This, however, would not be true for the Les Mûres Premier Cru.)

As is true of the larger Pouilly-Loché AOC, Pouilly-Loché Premier Cru Les Mûres is required to be a dry white wine produced with 100% Chardonnay grapes.

• However, in addition to geographic specificity, the premier cru wine must abide by some regulations that are a bit more stringent than the larger, more general Pouilly-Loché appellation. These include the following:
  • Premier Cru wines must contain a minimum of 12% abv (as opposed to 11% for Pouilly- Loché  AOC).
  • Premier Cru wines have a maximum yield of 58 hl/ha (as opposed to 60 hl/ha for Pouilly- Loché AOC).
  • Premier Cru wines are required to have a minimum must weight of 195 g/l (as opposed to 178 g/l for Pouilly- Loché AOC).
  • Grapes for Premier Cru wines must be manually harvested.
  • Premier Cru wines may not be released before July 1 of the year following the harvest (wines of the Pouilly- Loché AOC may be released as early as February 1 of the year following the harvest).

Eagle-eyed wine lovers may note that this announcement is closely aligned with the approval of three premiers crus vineyards for the Pouilly-Vinzelles AOC (announced the prior day).

Map of the Pouilly-Loché AOC via the INAO

Note: as with all such updates, the paperwork is still winding its way through the bureaucratic back offices of the EU. As such, while this update has been approved and announced by the Republic of France (via publication on the website of the INAO as well as the Official Journal of the Republic of France), the updated Cahier des Charges has yet to be approved by the EU. In the meantime, the new Premier Cru designations are allowed to be used on the labels of qualified wines. In the unlikely event that the change is not approved by the EU, the decree will be rescinded.

References/for more information:

• Cahier des Charges Pouilly Loche updated 2024
• Brochure re Pouilly-Loche via Vins de Bourgogne
• Base map of the Pouilly-Loché AOC via the website of Vins de Bourgogne

Post authored by Jane A. Nickles…your blog administrator: jnickles@societyofwineeducators.org

Map of the Pouilly-Vinzelles AOC via the INAO

As revealed on November 20, 2024—via publication on the website of the INAO and in the Official Journal of the French Republic—three Premiers Crus have been approved and designated within the Pouilly-Vinzelles AOC.

• These new premiers crus are to be known as follows:
  • Les Longeays (Pouilly-Vinzelles Premier Cru Les Longeays)
  • Les Pétaux (Pouilly-Vinzelles Premier Cru Les Pétaux)
  • Les Quarts (Pouilly-Vinzelles Premier Cru Les Quarts)

Located in the Mâconnais sub-region of Burgundy, the Pouilly-Vinzelles AOC is centered around the communes of Vinzelles and Loché, located a few miles southwest of the city of Mâcon—and to the east of its most famous neighbor, Pouilly-Fuissé.

As with all wines produced in the Pouilly-Vinzelles AOC, the newly appointed premiers crus are required to be dry white wines produced with 100% Chardonnay grapes.

• However, in addition to geographic specificity, the premier cru wines must abide by some regulations that are a bit more stringent than the larger, more general Pouilly-Vinzelles appellation. These include the following:
  • Premier Cru wines must contain a minimum of 12% abv (as opposed to 11% for Pouilly-Vinzelles AOC).
  • Premier Cru wines have a maximum yield of 58 hl/ha (as opposed to 60 hl/ha for Pouilly-Vinzelles AOC).
  • Grapes used in Premier Cru wines are required to have a minimum must weight of 195 g/l (as opposed to 178 g/l for Pouilly-Vinzelles AOC).
  • Grapes for Premier Cru wines must be manually harvested (with a four-year grace period from 2024).
  • Premier Cru wines may not be released before July 1 of the year following the harvest (The wines of the Pouilly-Vinzelles AOC may be released by February 1 of the year following the harvest).

Location of the P-V Premiers Crus within the P-V AOC (base map via the website of Vins de Bourgogne)

Note: as with all such updates, the paperwork is still winding its way through the bureaucratic back offices of the EU. As such, while this update has been approved and announced by the Republic of France (via publication on the website of the INAO as well as the Official Journal of the Republic of France on November 20, 2024), the updated Cahier des Charges has yet to be approved by the EU. In the meantime, the new Premier Cru designations are allowed to be used on the labels of qualified wines. In the unlikely event that the change is not approved by the EU, the decree will be rescinded.

References/for more information:

• Cahier des Charges AOC Pouilly-Vinzelles November 2024
• Brochure on Pouilly-Vinzelles via Wines of Bourgogne
• Map of the Pouilly-Vinzelles AOC via the website of Vins de Bourgogne

 Post authored by Jane A. Nickles…your blog administrator: jnickles@societyofwineeducators.org

Photo of the Urbezo PDO via www.mapa.gob.es

Spain’s Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Ministerio de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentación, MAPA) has announced the approval of a new Denominación de Origen Protegida (PDO) for wine: the Vino de Pago Urbezo! As of October 26 (2024) the EU has also announced its approval of the new appellation.  At last count, this makes for a new total of 26 vinos de pago for Spain.

The new appellation is located in the autonomous community (comunidad autónoma) of Aragón (in the province of Zaragoza, just north-west of the municipality—and wine region) of Cariñena.

The Vino de Pago (PDO) Urbezo is approved for the production of dry wines, to include white (blanco), rosé (rosado), and red (tinto) wines. Wines may be unaged, or they may be labeled with a defined aging designation such as crianza, reserva, or gran reserva. One very interesting point of differentiation in this new appellation is that grape growing and winemaking is required to be certified as organic (as defined by EU Regulation (EC) No 834/2007). Other rules for these wines are discussed below:

• White wine (blanco)
  • Authorized grape varieties: Chardonnay, Garnacha Blanco (White Grenache), Moscatel de Alejandría (Muscat of Alexandria)
  • Minimum alcohol by volume (abv) in the finished wine: 12.5%
  • Maximum residual sugar (RS): 9 g/L
  • Other notes: Straw yellow in color (some greenish hues), aromas of stone fruit, tropical fruit, and flowers; medium to high acidity, medium to high aromatic/flavor intensity.

• Rosé wine (rosado)
  • Authorized grape varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Garnacha Tinta (Red Grenache), Mazuelo (Carignan), Merlot, Syrah, Tempranillo
  • Minimum alcohol by volume (abv) in the finished wine: 12.5%
  • Maximum residual sugar (RS): 9 g/L
  • Other notes: Clear and pink in color with notes of violet and fuchsia; aromas of red fruit and flowers; medium to high acidity; medium aromatic/flavor intensity; well-balanced and crisp

• Red wine (tinto)
  • Authorized grape varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Garnacha Tinta (Red Grenache), Mazuelo (Carignan), Merlot, Syrah, Tempranillo
  • Minimum alcohol by volume (abv) in the finished wine: 13%
  • Maximum residual sugar (RS): 9 g/L
  • Other notes: Cherry-red in color (with notes of violet, ruby, and ink-red); aromas of red fruit, black fruit, and flowers; medium to high acidity; medium to high aromatic/flavor intensity; complex and structures; long finish
  • Additional styles of red wine may be produced using carbonic maceration and a range of optional oak-aging regimes (see the attached pliego de condicones for details).

Welcome to the world, Vino de Pago Urbezo!

References/for more information:

• Pliego de Condiciones—DOP Urbezo
• EU Journal – Vino de Pago Urbezo
• Announcement via the website for Spain’s Ministry of Agriculture

Post authored by Jane A. Nickles…your blog administrator: jnickles@societyofwineeducators.org

Base Map via the TTB AVA Explorer

On October 29, 2024, the TTB (Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau) of the United States approved the Beverly, Washington American Viticultural Area (AVA). The new AVA is located in Washington State’s Grant County and lies entirely within the previously established Columbia Valley AVA.

The original petition for the Beverly, Washington AVA was accepted by the TTB in 2022 under the proposed name “Wanapum Village AVA.” A request to change the name to “Beverly, Washington” was submitted and approved in October of 2023.

According to these documents, the area’s distinguishing features are primarily its topography and soil. These features are discussed below.

Topography: The Beverly, Washington AVA is located close to the eastern shores of the Columbia River. The area is comprised of low, gently rolling hills with elevations ranging from 515 to 950 feet above sea level. The vineyard slopes are generally south- and southwest-facing, tucked into the edge of the Frenchman Hills (where they meet the Columbia River).

Base Map via the TTB AVA Explorer

Soil: According to the petition, the soil is the primary point of differentiation between the Beverly, Washington AVA and the surrounding Columbia Valley AVA. Soils within the new AVA are largely derived of topsoil deposited by the Missoula floods—a series of floods that occurred at the end of the last ice age. These soils—consisting mainly of sand and gravel atop basalt bedrock—tend to be very well-drained and quite coarse. These coarse soils are less prone to erosion than the finer-grained soils found elsewhere in the Columbia Valley. As such, there is no need for cover crops (as might be used to control erosion). In addition, coarse soils absorb heat faster than finer soils—and the resulting warmer soils promote earlier onset of budbreak, veraison, and other ripening stages of the grapes.

The Beverly, Washington AVA is a relatively tiny area located directly to the south of the Royal Slope AVA. According to the original petition, there are currently two commercial vineyards in the area.

When the Beverley, Washington AVA is brought into force—on November 29, 2024—the total number of AVAs in the United States will be 276. Of these, 21 will be in Washington State.

Welcome to the world, Beverly, Washington AVA!

References/for more information:

• Establishment of the Beverly Washington AVA October 2024
• Name change to Beverly WA
• Original Petition—Beverely WA AVA—as Wanapum Village

Post authored by Jane A. Nickles…your blog administrator: jnickles@societyofwineeducators.org

Photo via: www.viniterredipisa.com

News flash: the Terre di Pisa DOC—first approved as a producer of Tuscan red wines in 2011—has amended its disciplinare to allow for several new styles of wine, to include white wines and rosato (rosé).

Previously, the only styles of wine allowed to be made in the Terre di Pisa DOC were dry red table wines known as Terre di Pisa Rosso (typically based on a blend of red grapes, and required to contain a minimum of 70% Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and/or Syrah) and Terre di Pisa Sangiovese (minimum 85% Sangiovese). These wines require a minimum of 12.5% alcohol by volume (abv).

• The new styles of wine permitted under the Terre di Pisa DOC include the following:
  • Terre di Pisa Bianco (white): A dry white wine produced using a minimum of 70% Vermentino and/or  Trebbiano Toscano. The remainder may comprise any white grape present in the vineyards and suitable for cultivation in Tuscany. Minimum alcohol: 11% abv.
  • Terre di Pisa Vermentino: A dry white wine produced using a minimum of 85% Vermentino. The remainder may comprise any white grape present in the vineyards and suitable for cultivation in Tuscany. Minimum alcohol: 11% abv.
  • Terre di Pisa Rosato (rosé): A dry, pink wine produced using a minimum of 50% Sangiovese. The remainder may comprise any red grape present in the vineyards and suitable for cultivation in Tuscany. Minimum alcohol: 11% abv.

In addition, a “riserva” category has been approved for Terre di Pisa Rosso. The use of the term riserva is allowed for those wines that have been aged for at least two years. Red wines not using the riserva label term must have been aged for a minimum of 1 year (Terre di Pisa Rosso) or 18 months (Terre di Pisa Sangiovese).

The Terre di Pisa appellation includes 16 of the 37 municipalities (communi/communes) within the province of Pisa. It is centered around the rolling hills about 12 miles south of the city of Pisa (and about 10 miles inland from the city of Livorno).

If you’ve never heard of Terre di Pisa before, don’t beat yourself up. This is a small appellation—total vineyard area is about 150 acres/60 hectares and total production (including around 15 wineries) is less than 10,000 cases a year.

References/for more information:

• EU Journal – Terre di Pisa – October 2024
• DOC Terre di Pisa Disciplinare modificato 2024
• https://www.viniterredipisa.com/index-en.php
• Click here to view a map including the Terre di Pisa DOC, via Federdoc

Post authored by Jane A. Nickles…your blog administrator: jnickles@societyofwineeducators.org