Valle d'Aosta

Question 1

Describe the Valle d’Aosta / Vallee d’Aoste region and its location …

Answer 1

• smallest Region in land area, least populated, smallest wine production
• in NW Alps of Italy, on the French border to the West
• Switzerland to the North
• Piemonte to the East & South
• Autonomous area; bilingual: French

Question 2

Valle d’Aosta Topography, Rivers, Mountains

Answer 2

• “Heroic” area
• extremely mountainous: 60% above 6,900 ft.
• tallest peak of the Alps, Mont Bianco is on French border
• Dora Baltea River, flows from Alps to Po River
• vineyards planted close to river

Question 3

Valle d’Aosta Climate

Answer 3

Continental w/ Alpine influences

• long, cold winters; short, warm summers
• Alps block humid west winds, clouds; creating a rain shadow
• most sunshine in Italy, mostly dry in NW, damper in SE

Question 4

Valle d’Aosta: how many DOCG / DOC ?

Answer 4

only 1: Valle d’Aosta DOC: regional, covers all relevant winegrowing areas: 80% of production, no DOCGs, nor IGPs

Seven Sub-zones:

• Blanc de Morgex et de La Salle: 100% Prié Blanc, also Spumante
• Torrette: (Rosso only) 70% Petit Rouge
• Chambave: Moscato Bianco, Rosso (70% Petit Rouge), and Passito
• Donnas: (Rosso only) 85% Picotendre (Nebbiolo), “Mountain brother of Barolo”, age: 24 mo. (10 mo in oak); Sup: age 30 mo (12 in barrel)
• Enfer d’Arvier: (Rosso only) 85% Petit Rouge
• Arnad-Montjovet: (Rosso only) 70% Nebbiolo
• Nus: 70% Petit Rouge and/or Vien de Nus (minimum 40% Vien de Nus)
• Novello or Nouveau (non-subzone Rosso)
• Superiore or Supérieur (Rosso from subzones)
• Vendemmia Tardiva or Vendange Tardive (WhSw): Late-harvest version of any of the white wines
• Passito or Flétri (WhSw): Dried-grape version of Bianco, Moscato Bianco, Chambave Moscato Bianco, Nus Malvoisie, or Traminer Aromatico
• Ice Wine - tiny quantities from Prie Blanc

Question 5

What area was not affected by phylloxera?

Answer 5

Morgex et de La Salle - “Most grape varieties cannot survive such altitude. Neither can phylloxera, and vines are ungrafted.” Wine Scholar Guild - IWS Unit 1

Question 6

What is the major river of the Valle d’Aosta?

Answer 6

Dora Baltea - flows from Mount Bianco area, the tallest peak in the French Alps, southeast to the Po River

Question 7

What is the traditional vine training system of Valle d’Aosta?

Answer 7

pergola

Question 8

What does “fletri” denote on a label?

Answer 8

passito style wine

Question 9

What are the geographical sub-divisions of the valley and major characteristics. Which DOC sub-zones are in each?

Answer 9

• Upper Valley: the highest, coldest and driest area; Blanc de Morgex et de La Salle
• Central Valley: the largest and most productive area; Chambave, Nus, Torrette, Enfer d’Arvier
• Lower Valley: the warmest and wettest area; Donnas, Arnad-Montjovet

Question 10

What is the major grape in the Morgex et de La Salle area? What style wines are produced?

Answer 10

• dry white wine from 100% Prié blanc;

- a little Sparkling version of Blanc de Morgex et de La Salle (100% Prié Blanc)

Question 11

What is the major grape of Torrette? What style wines are produced?

Answer 11

• dry, red blend: Min 70% Petit Rouge + OARG

- superiore, age: min 8 months

Question 12

What is the Major grape(s) of Chambave? What styles are produced?

Answer 12

• dry, red blend: Min 70% Petit Rouge + OARG
• superiore, age: min 8 months
• dry, white wine: 100% Moscato Bianco
• Passito or Flétri: dried-grape version of bianco

Question 13

What is the major grape of Donnas? What styles are produced?

Answer 13

• dry, red blend: Min 85% Nebbiolo (locally Picotendro) + OARG;
  age: min 24 months, including 10 mo in barrel
• superiore: age min 30 months, including 12 mo in barrel