Fumin DOC
A dark red, born in the valley
Fumin is a red grape of the Aosta Valley, grown here for a long time and almost unknown elsewhere. Its name is said to come from the thin grey bloom, like smoke, that covers the berries when they are ripe.
Long in a supporting role, blended with petit rouge
For centuries it was mostly blended with petit rouge to give it colour. For a few decades now, winemakers have been making it on its own: the wine must contain at least 85% fumin. Its area runs from Donnas to Avise, in the lower and middle valley: the vines do not go above 600 to 750 metres on the right bank and 700 to 800 metres on the left bank. Morgex and La Salle are not part of it.
A late-season grape, macerated for ten days
It ripens late and copes well with the cold. After the harvest, the grapes macerate for about ten days, and the wine then often spends 12 to 18 months in oak barrels.
In the glass
A very dark colour, aromas of black fruit, pepper and spices, and firm tannins. It is one of the red wines of the Aosta Valley that keep best.
At the table
Red meats, game, Aosta Valley carbonade, aged cheeses.
Maps: personal work by Marc Badjou.
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