Valle d'Aosta - online Flashcards by T Bray

What is the smallest and least populated Italian wine producing region?

Valle d’Aosta

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Where are some of the highest slopes in the EU?

Valle d’Aosta (up to 1200m)

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How long did the French control Valle d’Aosta?

During the Dark Ages

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What languages are spoken in Valle d’Aosta

French and Italian

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Why are Valle d’Aosta wines relatively unknown?

Little export market

Used in tourism locally

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When did vine growing begin in Valle d’Aosta?

400BC

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What city did the Romans 1st found in Valle d’Aosta?

Augusta Praetoria 25BC

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What did the Facists introduce in Valle d’Aosta?

Forced Italianization Program

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What official status does Valle d’Aosta hold?

Special Autonomous Status

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What borders Valle d’Aosta?

Switzerland to the north
France to the west
Piemonte to the South / SE

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What is the topology in Valle d’Aosta?

Completely mountainous

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What is the major mountain peak?

Monte Bianco

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What is the principal river?

Dora Baltea from Mt Blanc down the Aosta Valley

All towns are located

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How is Valle d’Aosta divided?

3 portions
Upper Valley
Central Valley
Lower Valley

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Where is the coldest and driest area?

Upper Valley

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What are the main towns in the Upper Valley?

Morgex & La Salle

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What city are in the Central Valley?

Aosta 500-700m N bank of river
Chambave
Nus
Arvier
Avmavilles

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Where is the main wine growing area in Valle d’Aosta?

Central Valley

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Where is the warmest and wettest place in Valle d’Aosta?

Lower Valley

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Where are vines planted in the Lower Valley?

Both sides of the Dora Baltea river 300-400m

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What are the majority of plantings in the Lower Valley?

red varieties

Notably Nebbiolo

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What are the main towns in Lower Valley

Donnas
Montjovet
Arnad

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Where are the majority of vines planted in Valle d’Aosta?

Narrow bad
Aosta Valley
North side (south facing)
on Dora Baltea

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How do they grow vines?

Steep slopes requires terrace

Lack of land on valley floor

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What is unique about the vineyards here

Not contiguous Growers climb horizontally and vertically to get to vines Heroic

Valle d'Aosta soils

Slopes: Moderate - low water retention Limestone or Schist Valley Floor - alluvial with much gravel

Where are vines planted

5% on Valley Floor 35% on Moderate Slopes 60% on Steep Slopes

Valle d'Aosta general climate

Continental with alpine influence

West Valle d'Aosta climate

``` Severe due to altitude Alps block clouds and humidity Rain shadow 2,200 hours of sun Lowest precipitation in Alps ```

Central and SE Valle d'Aosta climate

Milder - lower altitude | Rain increases going east

Seasonal

Spring - cool, sun, wet Summer - dry, warm, high diurnal (helps ripen) Autumn - Early, cold, wet (September) Winter - long, harsh, cold, much snow

What do grape growers do in Valle d'Aosta during the autumn?

Pull leaves to allow more sunlight

What area has the steepest slopes?

Upper Valley

How many totally unique varieties of grapes are in Valle d'Aosta?

more than 10

What type dominates Valle d'Aosta?

red 80% Petite Rouge & Nebbiolo Hardy and cold resistant

Generally where would Nebbiolo be planted?

Well exposed sites | Sheltered from the wind

What are the dominate white varieties?

``` Prié Blanc Petite Arvine Moscato Bianco Pinot Gris Chardonnay ```

What is Priè Blanc also known?

Blanc de Morgex

What is Valle d'Aosta's only native grape and most planted?

Priè Blanc Monte Bianco foothills Upper Valley

What is special about Priè Blanc?

Most grapes cannot survive the altitude No phylloxera Ungrafted vines

Where did Petite Arvine come from?

Valais, Switzerland

What is special about Petite Arvine?

Suitable for late-harvest Can age well Considered traditional

What are the native reds in Valle d'Aosta?

Petit Rouge (native) Fumin (native) Nebbiolo (traditional)

Describe Petit Rouge

``` Oldest, most widely planted variety Main component in Central Valley Torrette Enfer d'Arvier Chambave ```

What is Petit Rouge known as locally?

Picciourouzo

How is Furmin used?

``` HQ red Mainly grown Central Valley Blending partner Adds color & body Long-lived Small barrel fermentation more single varieties are being made ```

How is Nebbiolo known in Valle d'Aosta?

Picotendro

Where is Nebbiolo traditional

Lower Valley | Subzones of Donnas & Arnad-Montjovet

Traditional training system?

Pergola to max sunlight

Wine characteristics of Valle d'Aosta

All Valle d'Aosta share similar character Light, Fresh Fruit High Acidity

Wine characteristics of Valle d'Aosta red wines

``` Fruity Spicy Light-M Body Moderate-Firm Tannins Bright Acidity 5 months maturation for reds ```

What is a unique rule for all reds in VdA?

DOC requires min 5 months maturation in bottle or any vessel

Wine characteristics of Valle d'Aosta white wines?

Juicy, Floral, Fruity High Acid, M ABV Marked Mineral Character No age requirements

Wine characteristics of Valle d'Aosta of sweet wines?

2 styles Passito Vendemmia Tardive

How are passito wines labeled in Valle d'Aosta

Fletri

Are sparkling wines common in Valle d'Aosta?

Traditional method | Low production volume

How are sparkling wines called in Valle d'Aosta?

Mousseux or Spumante

Picciourouzo

Petit Rouge

Most widely planted grape?

Picciourouzo / Petit Rouge

Grape Native to Switzerland

Petite Arvine

Grape that requires no grafting

Priè Blanc

What are the labeling options

1. Generic - VdA DOC Rosso 2. Varietal - VdA Fumin DOC 3. Subzone - VdA Donnas DOC

Average vineyard size?

less the 1 ha

How many DOCs in VdA? Subzones?

One | Five subzones

Name subzones in Upper Valley

Blanc de Morgex et de La Salle Dry white wines only from Priè Blanc Ungrafted Some of highest vineyards in EU

Name the largest subzone in the Central Valley

Torrette (Aosta) Reds from Petit Rouge Largest Subzone Majority of production for DOC

Name subzones in Central Valley

Torrette (Aosta) | Chambave

Describe Chambave subzone

3 designations Petit Rouge Dry Moscato Bianco (Moscato Chambave or Muscat) Passito Moscato Bianco (Moscato Chambave or Muscat Fletri)

Describe Donnas

"Mountain brother of Barolo" Most Prestigious Longest age requirements 24 months / 10m oak

What is the main Lower Valley subzone

Donnas

What subzone has the longest ageing requirements?

Donnas | Nebbiolo for 24 m / 10m in oak

Principal component of Torrette wines?

Petit Rouge

Which statement is false about VdA a. White wines have no age requirements b. Grows mostly whites c. Reds require 5 months ageing d. Wines tend to be light and acidic

b. VdA is 80% red wines

What are pergolas designed to do in VdA?

Capture maximum sunlight

What statement is false? a. Donnas was VdA's 1st DOC b. VdA currently has 1 DOC c. VdA has 7 DOCs d. No IGT wine is made

c. Only 1 DOC

What white is made in Chambave

Moscato Bianco

What was the 1st DOC in VdA before consolidation

Donnas

How many IGT are in VdA

None