Valle d'Aosta Flashcards
The modern name of Aosta comes from which town founded by which people?
Augusta Praetoria by the Romans (25 BC)
Goals was to control mountain passes
After the fall of the Roman empire, which power occupied and ruled the Valle d’Aosta?
Franks (French)
What grapes were introduced to the Valle d’Aosta by the Franks?
Gamay and PN
What house ruled the Valle d’Aosta the longest? Until when?
House of Savoy
11th century to 1861
What forms the Valle d’Aosta’s northern border?
NW corner = France
Switzerland
What forms VdA’s west and south border?
Piemonte
What are the three traditional divisions of the Valle d’Aosta?
- Upper (coldest, driest)- Morgex & La Salle
- Central (majority of production)- Chambave, Nus, Arvier
- Lower (warmest, wettest)- Donnas, Arnad, Montjovet
What bank of the Dora Baltea are grapes grown in each sub region?
Upper = North Bank Central = mostly N Bank Lower = both banks (E and W)
What are the primary red grapes of the central valley of Valle d’Aosta?
Petite Rouge
Prëmetta
Fumin
Approximately how many acres remain planted in the Valle d’Aosta today?
1200/500
What are the primary soils of the slopes and valleys of the Valle d’Aosta?
Slopes- shallow, limestone or schist
Valley- alluvial with gravel
What is the most planted white grape of the Valle d’Aosta?
Prié Blanc or Blanc de Morgex
Although considered traditional in the Valle d’Aosta, Petite Arvine actually originated where?
Switzerland
Petite Rouge is the primary component of the wines from which regions of Valle d’Aosta?
Central Valley sub-zones:
- Tourette
- Enfer d’Arvier
- Chambave
What is the Italian/local name for Petit Rouge?
Picciourouzo
Nebbiolo in the Valle d’Aosta is traditionally found in which subregions?
Donnas & Arnad-Montjovet
Where in the Valle d’Aosta is most Fumin typically grown?
Central Valley
Which native Aostan red grape is a child of Prié Blanc? What is its local name?
Prié Rouge/Prëmetta
What is the difference between a pergola of the Upper Valley and the Lower Valley?
3 ft vs 10 ft off the ground
What is the minimum aging period in any vessel for red wines from the Valle d’Aosta?
5 months
What are the two main Aostan grape varieties used for sweet wine production?
Moscato Bianco & Pinot Grigio (Malvoisie)
What grape is used to produce traditional method sparkling wines in the Valle d’Aosta?
Ice wine too!?
Prié Blanc
Sparkling Labeled Spumante or Mousseux
What was the first DOC in the Valle d’Aosta?
Donnas DOC [1971]
What was the second DOC in the Valle d’Aosta?
Enfer d’Arvier DOC (1972)
When was the Valle d’Aosta DOC created?
1985
Old DOC’s became sub zones
A bottle of Valle d’Aosta Donnas must contain what minimum % of which grape?
What is minimum aging?
85% Nebbiolo
24 months total/ 10 months in oak
A bottle of Valle d’Aosta Arnad-Montjovet must contain what minimum % of which grape?
70% Nebbiolo
Red wines designated Chambave must contain which minimum % of which grape?
70% Petite Rouge
What three styles are produced under Chambave?
- Red (70% Petite Rouge)
- Dry Moscato Bianco
- Moscato Bianco passito (Fletri)
What styles of wine are produced under Nus?
- RB- 70% Vien de Nus and Petite Rouge
- Dry Malvoisie
- Passito Malvoisie
What styles of wine are produced under Torrette?
- 70% Petite Rouge
Which sub-zone of the Valle d’Aosta is the largest/accounts for the majority of production?
Torrette
What styles of wine are produced under Valle d’Aosta Enfer d’Arvier?
85% Petite Rouge
What styles of wine are produced under Valle d’Aosta Blanc de Morgex et de la Salle?
Dry Prié Blanc (UNGRAFTED)
What are the Viticulteurs Encaveurs?
Group for growers only.
Anti Co-op
