Petit Rouge
The regional grape of Aosta is the Petit Rouge. Wines classified as DOC (Denominazione di origine controllata) Valle d’Aosta have the Petite Rouge as their base, such as the Enfer d’Arvier and the Torette. The grape gives the wines a dark but bright color. The wines are fine drinking wines.
Available at: grosjeanvins.it
Prié Blanc
The Valle d’Aosta DOC follows the valley of the Dora Baltea. In the north near Morgex and La Salle are the highest vineyards in Europe up to sometimes 1300 meters. There, the only white grape native to Valle d’ ‘Aosta, the Prié Blanc aka Blanc de Valdigne grape, is used to make a crisp, highly prized white wine. With great success, experiments have been made to make sparkling wines as well. On July 20, 2009, the first bottle of the “Cuvée des Guides” was opened at the summit of Mont Blanc.
Available at: Cooperative La Cave du Vin Blanc de Morgex and La Salle cavemontblanc.com
Nebbiolo
Further southeast around Nus, a dry, deep-colored red wine is made from the native Petit Rouge and Vien de Nus. In addition to the red wine, Nus also produces the copper-colored, slightly sweet Nus Pinot Grigio Passito. For this, the grapes for the Pinot Grigio are first dried for some time. The neighboring community of Chambave produces a golden-colored wine with a powerful aroma with the Moscato Passito. But the winegrowers in the mountains of Chambave, as they advertise themselves, are equally proud of their sparkling wine from the Pinot Noir.
Available at: Cooperative La Grotta di Vegneron lowrotta.it.
Petit Rouge and Fumin
Around Donnas, still just in the Valle d’Aosta, there are mainly vines of the Nebbiolo grape, which by the way is called Picotendro (= small, soft grape) there. The influence of the Alps makes the wines less powerful compared to the Nebbiolo’s from southern Piedmont. They are more elegantly made wines, often more enjoyable to drink for the less “practiced” wine drinker. According to DOC rules, a maximum of 15% of another grape may be used in the wine. For the Donnas wines, these are usually the Petit Rouge and Fumin. The wines of Donnas are highly regarded, which of course is reflected in the price.
