Section
Wines
The mountain vineyards, their DOC wines, spirits and producers.
The vineyards
Mountain wine-growing on terraces.
DOC wines
The appellations of the Aosta Valley.
Whites
- Blanc de Morgex et de La SallePrié blanc 100%Grown at the foot of Mont Blanc, in one of the highest vineyards in Europe: fresh, floral and mineral.
- Petite ArvinePetite arvine min. 85% · other permitted white grapes max. 15%It came over from the neighbouring Valais and found its true home here: a lively, elegant white.
- Chambave MuscatMuscat blanc à petits grains 100%White flowers, exotic fruit and honey: a fragrant muscat, grown here since the Middle Ages.
- ChardonnayChardonnay min. 85% · other permitted white grapes max. 15%The great Burgundy grape, made livelier and tauter by the mountain air.
- Pinot GrisPinot gris min. 85% · other permitted white grapes max. 15%A cousin of pinot noir that likes the cold and gives a broad, delicate white.
- Müller-ThurgauMüller-thurgau min. 85% · other permitted white grapes max. 15%An early-ripening grape, at home in high vineyards: a light, fruity, slightly aromatic white.
- Pinot BlancPinot blanc min. 85% · other permitted white grapes max. 15%The pale variant of pinot noir: a fine, balanced white, without excess.
- GewürztraminerGewürztraminer min. 85% · other permitted white grapes max. 15%A pink-skinned grape, rare here: a full, velvety white that smells of roses.
- Muscat Petit GrainMuscat blanc à petits grains min. 85% · other permitted white grapes max. 15%The muscat grown outside Chambave: a dry, delicate, aromatic white that tastes of fresh grapes.
Reds
- Torrette SupérieurPetit rouge min. 70% · other permitted red grapes max. 30%The red of the hillsides around Aosta, fruity and spicy, the pride of the hamlet of Torrette.
- Enfer d'ArvierPetit rouge min. 85% · other permitted red grapes max. 15%Grown on a sandy, south-facing slope so hot it is called Hell; farmed organically by the village cooperative.
- FuminFumin min. 85% · other permitted red grapes max. 15%A local grape that stands up to the cold and gives a dark, deep red.
- Nus RougeVien de Nus and petit rouge min. 70%, including vien de Nus min. 40% · other reds max. 30%A rare red, from a local grape grown on the sunny slopes of Nus.
- GamayGamay min. 85% · other permitted red grapes max. 15%It arrived from Burgundy in the 19th century: a light, easy-drinking red, best drunk young.
- Pinot NoirPinot noir min. 85% · other permitted red grapes max. 15%Planted here in the 1960s by the agricultural school, it gives a fine, elegant red.
- DonnasNebbiolo (picotendro) min. 85% · other permitted red grapes max. 15%Grown on the stone terraces of the lower valley, a red with character that improves with age.
- Arnad-MontjovetNebbiolo min. 70% · other permitted red grapes max. 30%The neighbour of Donnas, a little further up the valley: a softer nebbiolo, ready to drink sooner.
- Chambave RougePetit rouge min. 70% · other permitted red grapes max. 30%The red of the muscat village, made mostly from petit rouge; with age it smells of violets.
- Petit RougePetit rouge min. 85% · other permitted red grapes max. 15%The most widely planted red grape in the valley, bottled here under its own name: supple, with a scent of wild rose.
- NebbioloNebbiolo min. 85% · other permitted red grapes max. 15%The Donnas grape, bottled under its own name and sold younger: body and tannins.
- CornalinCornalin min. 85% · other permitted red grapes max. 15%An old grape, also grown in the Valais: a harmonious, slightly tannic red with a hint of almond.
- MayoletMayolet min. 85% · other permitted red grapes max. 15%A local, early-ripening grape: a supple, understated red with a light bitterness.
- PrëmettaPrëmetta min. 85% · other permitted red grapes max. 15%An old, thin-skinned grape: a red so pale you might take it for a rosé, to be served cool.
- VuillerminVuillermin min. 85% · other permitted red grapes max. 15%One of the rarest grapes in the valley: a dark, full, tannic red.
- MerlotMerlot min. 85% · other permitted red grapes max. 15%The Bordeaux grape, planted on the warmest slopes: an intense, full-bodied red.
- SyrahSyrah min. 85% · other permitted red grapes max. 15%The Rhône grape, on the best-exposed slopes: an intense, peppery red.
- GamaretGamaret min. 85% · other permitted red grapes max. 15%A variety bred in Switzerland in 1970, hardy in the mountains: a dry, spicy, tannic red.
Sweet wine
All these wines carry the Valle d’Aosta / Vallée d’Aoste DOC appellation.
Spirits
Grappa and génépi.
Producers
Cooperative wineries and estates.
