Valle d’Aosta

Question 1

What is the climate of Valle d’Aosta?

Answer 1

The landlocked, mountainous region is continental with long, cold winters and short, hot summers.

Question 2

Where does Valle d’Aosta rank among Italy’s twenty regions of production?

Answer 2

Last

Question 3

What river does the Valle d’Aosta region live along?

Answer 3

Dora Baltea River

Question 4

What are the 7 sub-appellations of Valle d’Aosta and styles of each?

Answer 4

—Arnad-Montjovet- (Picotendro) only red wine styles
—Donnas-(Picotendro) only red wine styles
—Enfer d’Arvier (Petit Rouge) only red wine styles
—Torrette (Petit Rouge) red wine only styles

—Blanc de Morgex et de la Salle- 100% Prié Blanc; white grape responsible for the still, sparkling and sweet wines of La Salle, grown at one of Europe’s highest vineyard elevations on the slopes of Mont Blanc

—Chambave (70% Petit Rouge), (Whites 100% Moscato Bianco)
—Nus- (reds-Vien de Nus and Petit Rouge) (whites 100% Malvoisie (Pinot Grigio)

Question 5

Varietals of Valle d’Aosta

Answer 5

White: Müller-Thurgau, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Bianco, Chardonnay, Petite Arvine, Moscato Bianco, Traminer, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Nero (may be vinified as a white wine)

Red: Gamay, Pinot Nero, Mayolet, Merlot, Premetta, Gamaret, Vuillermin, Fumin, Syrah, Cornalin, Nebbiolo, Petit Rouge

Vendemmia Tardiva: Müller Thurgau requires a minimum 220 g/l must weight, all other white varieties require 250 g/l

Question 6

What is the capital of Valle d’Aosta?

Answer 6

Aosta

Question 7

Arnad Montjovet

Style and aging?

Answer 7

Minimum 70% Picoutener (Nebbiolo), minimum 11% abv (12% if Superiore)
Must be aged for a minimum 5 months from December 1 of the harvest year (12 months if Superiore)

Question 8

Blanc de Morgex et de la Salle

Style and Aging?

Answer 8

100% Prié Blanc, minimum 9% abv
May be Vendemmia Tardiva, minimum must weight is 200 g/l
May be Spumante/Mousseux, must be made by the traditional method with a minimum 9 months on the lees, minimum 10.5% abv
Still wines may be released on December 1 of the harvest year

Question 9

Chambave

Style and aging?

Answer 9

White wines are 100% Moscato Bianco, minimum 11% abv
White wines may be Passito, minimum 16.5% abv (13% actual)
Red wines are a minimum 70% Petit Rouge, minimum 11% abv (12% for Superiore)
Red wines are aged for a minimum 5 months from December 1 of the harvest year, Red Superiore wines are aged a minimum 8 months, and Passito wines are aged a minimum 12 months

Question 10

Donnas

Answer 10

Minimum 85% Picoutener, minimum 11.5% abv (12.5% for Superiore)
Must be aged for a minimum of 24 months from December 1 of the harvest year, including 10 months in wood (30 months, including 12 months in wood, for Superiore)

Question 11

Enfer d’Arvier

Style and aging?

Answer 11

Minimum 85% Petit Rouge, minimum 11.5% abv (12.5% for Superiore)
Must be aged for a minimum 5 months from December 1 of the harvest year, or 8 months for Superiore

Question 12

Nus

Style and Aging

Answer 12

White wines are 100% Malvoisie (Pinot Grigio), minimum 11.5% abv,
White wines may be Passito, minimum 16.5% abv (14% actual).
Red wines are a minimum 40% Vien de Nus, combined minimum 70% Vien de Nus and Petit Rouge, minimum 11% abv (12% for Superiore)
Red wines are aged for a minimum 5 months from December 1 of the harvest year, Red Superiore wines are aged a minimum 8 months, and Passito wines are aged a minimum 12 months

Question 13

Torrette

Style and Aging?

Answer 13

Minimum 70% Petit Rouge, minimum 11% abv (12% for Superiore)

Must be aged for a minimum 5 months from December 1 of the harvest year, or 8 months for Superiore

Question 14

What does “Flétri” mean?

Answer 14

Passito

-Passito and Flétri can be used interchangeably. They don’t have separate meanings. Fletri is the French word, Passito the Italian. Since they speak both here they have two terms. They must be dried to a sugar content at least 26%. It applies to specified white or grey grapes only.