Amordivino Wines
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Valle d'Aosta
Population: 119.610
Surface (Kmq): 3264
Density (Inhabitants per Kmq.): 37
Main city and only province: Aosta (AO)

An extremely mountainous territory, dominated by some of the highest mountains in Europe - Mont Blanc, Monte Rosa, Cervino and Gran Paradiso - this has always been a destination for mountaineers and rock climbers. Now we can add daredevil enthusiasts of other sports such as frozen waterfall climbing, free climbing, snowboarding, alpine skiing and parascending. Valle D’Aosta is a real paradise for skiers, offering 23 ski resorts, 878km of downhill runs, 300km of cross-country runs and over 170 ski lifts. Here are mountain botanical gardens with a rich variety of alpine flora and some of the highest vineyards in Europe. The town of Aosta is the ancient Augusta Pretoria, founded by the Romans in 25BC. Over 100 castles provide testimony of a rich and intense feudal life. They have evolved over centuries from simple fortifications to architecturally complex structures with a predominantly military function, to become noble, refined residences. The region has two official languages: Italian and French.

 
 
  
 

The Aosta Valley grapes and wines are primarily determined by the characteristic predominant soil composed of a rocky, gritty, semi-fertile mixture and by high altitude. Overall, the region’s wines are as singular as its dialects and traditions. The Institut Agricole Régional has catalogued thirteen grapes considered native to the region and most of them are used as blends in the majority of local DOC-labeled wines. The most widespread among the “indigenous” grapes are the red Petit Rouge, or Little Red,  and the Fumin, a somewhat meatier, Syrah-like grape anticipated by some local vintners as the future number one native red.

The main regional grape however, is the Picotendro, a local version of Nebbiolo that gives the DOCs produced in Donnas and Arnad a resemblance to Barolo. In addition, both the Moscato Bianco, here known as Muscat Chambave, and the local Pinot Grigio (confusingly called Malvoisie in the Chambave and Nus areas) are made into exotically fruity wines that can be either dry or sweet.

The region has a single DOC denomination that covers a total of 25 styles of wine, both varietals, such as the Chardonnay or Pinot Noir, and seven geographically designed sub-zones: Arnad-Motjovet, Arvier, Chambave, Donnas, Mergex / La Salle, Nus, and Torrette.
Because of the mix of grapes, language and place names on the Aosta valley wine labels, sometime it can be a little confusing figuring out what’s inside a bottle. However the 25 styles of DOC wines produced here are listed in the following categories.

Whites:
Blanc de Mergex et de La Salle Spumante, Blanc de Mergex et de La Salle, Chambave Muscat, Nus Malvoisie, Valle d’Aosta Chardonnay, Valle d’Aosta Müller-Thurgau, Valle d’Aosta Petit Arvine, Valle d’Aosta Pinot Gris or Pinot Grigio, Valle d’Aosta Pinot Blanc or Pinot Bianco.

Rosé:
Valle d’Aosta Prëmetta and Valle d’Aosta Rosato.

Reds:
Arnad-Motjovet, Chambave Rouge, Donnas or Donnaz, Enfer d’Arvier, Nus Rouge, Torrette, Valle d’Aosta Fumin, Valle d’Aosta Gamay, Valle d’Aosta Petit Rouge, Valle d’Aosta Pinot Noir, Valle d’Aosta Nouveau or Novello, and Valle d’Aosta Rouge or Rosso.

Sweet Wines:
Chambave Muscat Flétri and Nus Muscat Flétri.

The DOC wines from Valle d'Aosta are:
Arnad-Monjovet  
Blanc de Morgex et de la Salle  
Chambave  
Donnas  
Enfer d'Arvier  
Nus  
Torrette  
Valle d'Aosta