Valle d'Aosta

Question 1

Valle d’Aosta overview

Answer 1

The landlocked, mountainous Valle d’Aosta is Italy’s smallest and least populous region. Nestled in the western Alps, the region experiences a continental climate with long, cold winters and short, hot summers. The Valle d’Aosta ranks last amongst Italy’s twenty regions in volume of production, and its vineyards are concentrated in a narrow band of land carved out by the Dora Baltea River. The Valle d’Aosta DOC is the sole DOC zone, but there are seven sub-appellations: Arnad-Montjovet, Blanc de Morgex et de la Salle, Chambave, Donnas, Enfer d’Arvier, Nus, and Torrette. A number of grapes, both local and international, provide a basis for the different red, white, and rosé blends and varietal wines of the DOC. The Petit Rouge grape is primary in wines from Torrette, Chambave, and Enfer d’Arvier. Picotendro—a local synonym for Nebbiolo—provides a high proportion of the blend for Donnas and Arnad-Montjovet reds. Blanc de Morgex, or Prié, is the white grape responsible for the still and sparkling wines of La Salle, grown at one of Europe’s highest vineyard elevations on the slopes of Mont Blanc. In addition, Valle d’Aosta DOC wines may be labeled as varietal wines. Examples of authorized varieties include Petit Arvine, Gamay, Petit Rouge, Fumin, and Premetta (Premetta is usually bottled as rosé).

Question 2

Valle d’Aosta

Answer 2

Denominazione:
Rosso (Rouge)
Rosso Noveau (Novelle)
Bianco (Blanc)
Rosato (Rosé)
Passito (Flétrie)
Varietal Designated Wines (minimum 85%)
White: Müller-Thurgau, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Bianco, Chardonnay, Petite Arvine, Moscato Bianco, Traminer, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Nero (may be vinified as a white wine)
Vendemmia Tardiva/Vendange Tardive: Müller Thurgau requires a minimum 220 g/l must weight, all other white varieties require 250 g/l
Red: Gamay, Pinot Nero, Mayolet, Merlot, Premetta, Gamaret, Vuillermin, Fumin, Syrah, Cornalin, Nebbiolo, Petit Rouge
If labeled by subzone, the wines are subject to different varietal specifications.
Minimum Alcohol:
Bianco: 9%
Rosso/Rosato: 9.5%
Varietal Wines: 10-11.5%
Vendemmia Tardiva: 15% (12% actual), Müller Thurgau is 13%/10%
Passito: 16.5% (13% actual)
Aging Requirements:
Rosso: Must be aged for a minimum 5 months from December 1 of the harvest year
Vendemmia Tardiva: Must be aged for a minimum 6 months from December 1 of the harvest year
Passito: May not be sold before November 1 of the year following the harvest
Maximum Yields:10-12 tons/ha, depending on variety

Question 3

Valle d’Aosta Subzones

Answer 3

Subzones: Arnad Montjovet, Blanc de Morgex et de la Salle, Chambave, Donnas, Enfer d’Arvier, Nus, Torrette

Question 4

Valle d’Aosta White grapes

Answer 4

Varietal Designated Wines (minimum 85%)
White: Müller-Thurgau, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Bianco, Chardonnay, Petite Arvine, Moscato Bianco, Traminer, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Nero (may be vinified as a white wine)
Vendemmia Tardiva/Vendange Tardive: Müller Thurgau requires a minimum 220 g/l must weight, all other white varieties require 250 g/l

Question 5

Valle d’Aosta red grapes

Answer 5

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

Question 6

Valle d’Aosta Arnad Montjovet

Answer 6

Subzones:
Arnad Montjovet
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 7

Valle d’Aosta Torrette:

Answer 7

Torrette
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 8

Valle d’Aosta Nus

Answer 8

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 9

Valle d’Aosta Enfer d’Arvier

Answer 9

Enfer d’Arvier
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 10

Valle d’Aosta 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

Valle d’Aosta Chambave

Answer 11

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 12

Valle d’Aosta Blanc de Morgex et de la Salle

Answer 12

Blanc de Morgex et de la Salle
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