Valle d'Aosta Flashcards
When was Aosta founded?
In the 25 BC as Augusta Pretoria
Since when vines existed in Valle d’Aosta
Since 400 BC
Who was the owner of Valle d’Aosta region by the VI?
What did they introduce?
The Frankisch Kingdom
They introduced the gammay and pinot noir grapes
Under the control of who was Valle d’Aosta by the XI?
Under the control of the House of Savoy
What did happen to the Valle d’Aosta since the XV
It wa sincorporated to the Kingdom of Sardinia and after it became part of the Kingdom of Italy
When did take place the called forced italianization?
By the 1920, by the facist party
Geographically, how can de described the Valle d’Aosta region?
As a completely mountanous regios with a rugged alpine landscape formed by glaciers
When did the glaciers formed the rugged lanscape of the Valle d’Aosta region?
Between 10.000 and 2.000 BC
What is the medium hight in Aosta valley?
60% above 2100 msnm (Monte Biano 4810 msnm)
By which roiver can we find the terraces where the vines are cultivated?
The Dora Baltea River
How can we divide the Valle d’Aosta
. Upper Valley
. Central Valley
. Lower Valley
Description of the Valle d’Aosta Upper Valley
. Upper Valley: 1.200 - 800 msnm
Coldest & driest. Small terraced. Sttep slopes on the north banks of the dora Baltea, Close to the city of Morgex
Description of the Valle d’Aosta Central Valley
Central Valley 700 - 500 msnm
As the upper valley region, the vineyards are found on the North Slope, around the city of Nus
Common grapes: petite rouge, furmint, premetta
Description of the Valle d’Aosta Lower Valley
Lower valley
How is the climate in Valle d’Aosta?
Continental with alpine influence
Where is the milate more severe in the west or the east of Valle d’Aosta?
In the west.
What is the average temperature in Valle d’Aosta?
10.5°C
What is the rainfall variation between the W and SE of the Valle d’Aosta?
500 mm West
800 mm East
How many sunny hours does the Valle d’Aosta have by year?
2000 hours
Which are the seasonal variations of the weather in Valle d’Aosta?
Spring: cool, sunny, wet
Summer: warm, sunny, dry
Autum: early cold
Winter : long, cold
Where can we find mostly of the vineyards planted in Valle d’Aosta?
How many hectares?
Facing ?
60% on steep slopes
35% on medium steep slopes
5 % flat valley floor
Which soils can be found on slopes?
Shalow soils (limestones, schists)
Which soils can be found on the valley ?
Alluvial soild with gravels
Why we cannot find a large grape veriety legacy in Valle d’Aosta?
Due to the phyloxera just 10 indigenous endured
What is the iAr and what is its work?
It is the Institute Agricole Reginonale and it concerns the identification, preservation and research of indigenous grape varieties
Valle d’Aosta most important red and white varieties
Red 80% : Petite Rouge and Nebbiolo
International : Barbera, Dolcetto, Freisa, Pinot Nero (7%TR) , Gamay, Merlot, Syrah
White 20%: Prié Blanc, Petite Arvine, Moscato Bianco, Pinto Gris
International: Chardonnay, Muller-Thurgau, Pinot bianco, Gewurztraminer
Characteristics of the Prié Blanc or Blanc de Morgex
. It is the only white native variety from Valle d’Aosta. Mostly ungrafted
. Widely planted since 1691 on the foothills of Montebianco (subzones of Blanc de norgex and Lasalle) at small terraces between the 1200 and the 800 msnm south facing.
Descriptors : pale color, light body, steely acidity, notes of white flowers, green apple, mountain hay and herbs
Facts about Valle d’Aosta petite arvine
Originary from Valais (Swiss) it is a traditional Valle d’Aoesta white grape.
Uses to be late harvested and it is Good for aging
Descriptors straw yellow, high acidity. floral notes, grape fruit, high alcohol, saline finish
Notes about the Moscato Bianco
It is the Muscat a petit grains
Planted in the subregion of Chambave
Characteristics of the Malvoisie
Actually the Pinot grigio
Fragant, single varietal
Why the chardonnay and Muller-thurgau are so suitable in Valle d’Aosta
They have high potential due to the cool climate, giving crispy acidity and mineral character
Notes on Petite rouge in Valle d’Aosta
It represents the 16% TR
Locally known as picciorouzo
One of the oldest and widely planted
Main component of the reds of Torrette, Enfer d’Arviere, Chambave
Descriptors: dark, medium body, acidity, red flowers, fresh fruits, almonds and spices
Characteristics of the Nebbiolo in Valle d’Aosta
Represents the 9% TR
Locally known as picciotendro
It is a traditional variety of the LOWER VALLEY around the cities of Donnas and Armand Montjovet
Paler than traditional Nebbiolos with notes of roses and tar finesse
Notes on the Furmin
Characteristic of the CENTRAL VALLEY.
Good structure: suityable for aging in barrels
Descriptors: high acidity, deep ruby, full bodied, red fruits and herbs, pepper and sweet spices
Good aging in bottle: develops balsamic
Characterisitics of the Prié Rouge or Premetta
It’s a natural rosato wine
Common in St Pierres and Aymavilles
Medium acidity, high tanins, strawberry
Which are the italian and internartional red varieties cultivated on the Valle d’Aosta?
Barbera, Dolcetto and Freisa
Pinot Nero(7% RT), Gamay, Merlot ad Syrah
What is the traditional trelising system in Valle d’Aosta?
Where is is common?
Which are its benefits?
Overhead Pergola
In the high upper Valley
It is a system close to the ground (100 c.) where it receives the heat from the soil as well as from the sun.
Which are the trelising systems more common in the Lower Valley?
Pergola (sometimes 300 cm high)
Guyot
Bush (for moscato grapes)
Is there any rule regarding which variety to plant in the valle d’Aosta
No, it is function of the altitude and ripening
As a general rule, the highest, the later ripener
Which wine styles can be found at Valle d’Aosta?
Red wines
White wines
Sweet wines
Sparkling wines
Describe the Valle d’Aosta typical wine
Single varietal
Early drinking
Stright
Describe the valle d’Aosta red wines
Fruity and spicy
Light to Medium Body
Medium to high tannins
5 months of aging before be released
General characteristics of the Valle d’Aosta white wines
Juicy, Floral and Fruity
High acidity
Medium body
Mineral character
No aging requirement
Types of sweet wines in Valle d’Aosta
. Late harvest
. Passito wines
Which are the organoleptic characteristics of the sweet wines from Valle d’Aosta?
Which are the grapes origin of the sweet wines?
Stone dried fruits and complex
Pinot grigio and Moscato Bianco
General characteristics of the sparkling wines from Valle d’Aosta
It is called Spumante Mousseux
Mostly made from Prié Blanc grapes (there are some icewines made of prié blanc too)
Name de subzones of Valle d’Aosta DOC
. Donnas
. Arnad-Montjovet
. Chambave
. Nus
. Torrette
. Enfer d’Arvier
. Blanc de Morgex et Lasalle
Since when does exist the Valle d’Aosta DOC
How much doest it represent of the total production
1985
80%
20% is for generic wines
Valle d’Aosta Donnas subregion characteristics
Created in 1971 at the Lowe Valley
85% of nebbiolo (picotendro)
The region is considered the mountain brother of Barolo.
The minumum aging requirement is of 24 months (at last 10 months in oak)
Where is the Arnad-Montjovet regions and which is its more important grape variety?
Between Donnas and Chambave
70 % of Nebbiolo
Which are desginations under the subzones of Chambave?
Chambave: 70% petite rouge
Chambave muscat: moscato bianco
Chambave moscato passito(muscat fletri): sweet longlive white
Which are the desginations undder the subzone of Nus?
Nus: 70% Vien de Nus or Petit Rouge
Nus Malvoisie dry aroamtic pinot grigio
Nus malvoisie passito (fletri) air dried pinot grigio
Characterisitics of Torrette subzone
In the central valley
70% red : petite rouge
It is the largest of the subzones
Description of the Enfer d’Anvier subzone.
What special does it have Enfer?
85% of petite rouge
Enfer is a naturalk amphiteatre that acts as a heat trap
Description of Blanc de Morgex et Lasalle subzone
It is a white wine produced from ungrafted prié blanc from the highest vineyards in Europe 1200 msnm.
There are some spaklings
General description of Valle d’Aosta wine industry
It is small
Most of growers are unde 1 ha
Just since the ‘60, the Valle d’Aosta region could grant the living of some growers.
Just from the ‘80 there are some Viticulteurs encaveurs
Which are the labellings for Valle d’Aosta
Generic : Vsalle d’Aosta DOC (rouge/rosso), (blanc/bianco), (rosé/rosato)
Valle D’Aosta DOC + subzone : Valle d’Aosta DOC Donnas
Single Varietal Valle d’Aosta DOC Petite Arvine
