Pinot Noir DOC

Arrived in the 1960s

CourmayeurPré-Saint-DidierLa ThuileSaint-Rhémy-en-BossesSaint-OyenÉtroublesOllomontDouesAlleinValpellineOyaceBionazGignodRoisanTorgnonValtournencheChamoisLa MagdeleineAntey-Saint-AndréAyasGressoney-La-TrinitéGressoney-Saint-JeanBrussonGabyÉmarèseChalland-Saint-AnselmeIssimeFontainemoreLillianesChamporcherPontbosetRhêmes-Saint-GeorgesValgrisencheRhêmes-Notre-DameValsavarencheCogneMorgexLa SalleSaint-ChristopheQuartNusVerrayesSaint-DenisChâtillonSaint-VincentMontjovetChalland-Saint-VictorPonteyChambaveSaint-MarcelFénisChampdeprazVerrèsIssogneArnadPerlozHôneBardDonnasPont-Saint-MartinAosteSarreSaint-PierreSaint-NicolasAviseVilleneuveIntrodArvierJovençanGressanCharvensodPolleinBrissogneAymavillesCourmayeurPré-Saint-DidierMorgexLa SalleLa ThuileSaint-Rhémy-en-BossesSaint-OyenÉtroublesOllomontDouesAlleinValpellineOyaceBionazGignodRoisanSaint-ChristopheQuartNusTorgnonValtournencheChamoisLa MagdeleineAntey-Saint-AndréAyasGressoney-La-TrinitéGressoney-Saint-JeanVerrayesSaint-DenisChâtillonSaint-VincentBrussonGabyÉmarèseChalland-Saint-AnselmeMontjovetChalland-Saint-VictorIssimePonteyChambaveSaint-MarcelFénisChampdeprazVerrèsIssogneArnadFontainemorePerlozLillianesChamporcherHôneBardPontbosetDonnasPont-Saint-MartinAosteSarreSaint-PierreSaint-NicolasAviseVilleneuveIntrodArvierJovençanGressanCharvensodPolleinBrissogneAymavillesRhêmes-Saint-GeorgesValgrisencheRhêmes-Notre-DameValsavarencheCogne
Click on the map to zoom in
In pink, the 38 municipalities where this wine may be produced, according to the official DOC specification: Aoste, Arnad, Arvier, Avise, Aymavilles, Bard, Brissogne, Challand-Saint-Victor, Chambave, Champdepraz, Charvensod, Châtillon, Donnas, Fénis, Gressan, Hône, Introd, Issogne, Jovençan, La Salle, Montjovet, Morgex, Nus, Perloz, Pollein, Pont-Saint-Martin, Pontey, Quart, Saint-Christophe, Saint-Denis, Saint-Marcel, Saint-Nicolas, Saint-Pierre, Saint-Vincent, Sarre, Verrayes, Verrès, Villeneuve.

Pinot Noir is a newcomer. It reached the Aosta Valley in the 1960s and 1970s, when the Aosta School of Agriculture, run by the canons of the Great St Bernard and now the Institut agricole régional, planted several French red varieties. It was following the example of the neighbouring Valais, which had just renewed its vineyards.

A delicate variety: pinot noir in the mountains

Pinot Noir buds and ripens early, dislikes damp and does not like great heat. So the valley’s dry, cool climate suits it very well. About 151,000 bottles are made each year.

In the glass

Light ruby, almost see-through. Raspberry, wild strawberry and blackcurrant, with a touch of spice and fine tannins. Aged in barrique, it keeps for two to eight years and is served at 16–18 °C.

At the table

Rabbit, poultry, mushroom dishes, Fontina.

Maps: personal work by Marc Badjou.

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