Valle d'Aosta - online Flashcards
What is the smallest and least populated Italian wine producing region?
Valle d’Aosta
Where are some of the highest slopes in the EU?
Valle d’Aosta (up to 1200m)
How long did the French control Valle d’Aosta?
During the Dark Ages
What languages are spoken in Valle d’Aosta
French and Italian
Why are Valle d’Aosta wines relatively unknown?
Little export market
Used in tourism locally
When did vine growing begin in Valle d’Aosta?
400BC
What city did the Romans 1st found in Valle d’Aosta?
Augusta Praetoria 25BC
What did the Facists introduce in Valle d’Aosta?
Forced Italianization Program
What official status does Valle d’Aosta hold?
Special Autonomous Status
What borders Valle d’Aosta?
Switzerland to the north
France to the west
Piemonte to the South / SE
What is the topology in Valle d’Aosta?
Completely mountainous
What is the major mountain peak?
Monte Bianco
What is the principal river?
Dora Baltea from Mt Blanc down the Aosta Valley
All towns are located
How is Valle d’Aosta divided?
3 portions
Upper Valley
Central Valley
Lower Valley
Where is the coldest and driest area?
Upper Valley
What are the main towns in the Upper Valley?
Morgex & La Salle
What city are in the Central Valley?
Aosta 500-700m N bank of river Chambave Nus Arvier Avmavilles
Where is the main wine growing area in Valle d’Aosta?
Central Valley
Where is the warmest and wettest place in Valle d’Aosta?
Lower Valley
Where are vines planted in the Lower Valley?
Both sides of the Dora Baltea river 300-400m
What are the majority of plantings in the Lower Valley?
red varieties
Notably Nebbiolo
What are the main towns in Lower Valley
Donnas
Montjovet
Arnad
Where are the majority of vines planted in Valle d’Aosta?
Narrow bad
Aosta Valley
North side (south facing)
on Dora Baltea
How do they grow vines?
Steep slopes requires terrace
Lack of land on valley floor
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