Aosta Valley, Italy wine region
Welcome to the Aosta Valley Wine Region, a hidden gem nestled in the heart of the Italian Alps. The Aosta Valley is a place where tradition meets innovation and where the rugged beauty of the mountains meets the rich flavors of the grapes. Here, we produce wines of exceptional quality that are truly unique and unforgettable.
Wines from this region are crafted using traditional methods passed down from generation to generation, combined with the latest technology to create a perfect balance of flavor and aroma, and made from local grape varieties such as Petit Rouge, Fumin, and Premetta which are grown in the steeply terraced vineyards of the region.
The Aosta Valley is one of the highest wine-producing regions in Europe and the unique microclimate of the area gives our wines a distinct character and taste. All of which results in wines that are rich, complex, and elegant, and are perfect for any occasion.
We invite you to join us on a journey of discovery and taste, explore our preferred wineries, meet winemakers and taste unforgettable wines. Whether you’re a wine connoisseur or a beginner, we guarantee that you’ll find a tour that you’ll never forget.
Book a tour now and experience the magic of the Aosta Valley for yourself!
- Alpine: Majestic peaks and scenic mountain landscapes.
- Rustic: Charming stone villages and traditional cuisine.
- Adventure-oriented: Hiking, skiing, and outdoor activities.
Aosta Valley wine map
The Aosta Valley is a stunningly beautiful wine region located in the far northwest corner of wine-producing Italy in the northern part of the country bordering Switzerland and France. It is the smallest and least populated wine region in Italy, yet it is one of the most ancient and pioneering wine regions in the world due to its long and rich winemaking heritage.
The Aosta Valley has become known for its high-quality, traditional, and locally handcrafted wines, making it an increasingly popular destination for wine aficionados.
The Aosta Valley is an ideal spot for wine production as its climate is similar to the northern Rhone, with cool winters and hot summers, making it perfect for the production of a wide range of wines. The Aosta Valley is the only Italian wine region where both international and Italian varieties are planted, allowing visitors to try some of the best wines from both sides of the border. The wine-making tradition in the area dates back hundreds of years, with some of the oldest vineyards in the world located in the region.
Cities to visit in Aosta Valley wine region
Certainly! Aosta Valley is a beautiful region in the northwest of Italy that is known for its stunning Alpine landscapes, rich history, and delicious cuisine. While Aosta Valley is not primarily known for its wine production, there are several cities in the region that offer wonderful opportunities to taste local wines and explore the surrounding vineyards. Here are some popular cities to visit in the Aosta Valley wine region:
- Aosta – The capital city of Aosta Valley is a great base for exploring the surrounding wine country. Visitors can enjoy walking tours of the historic city center, visit local wineries and wine shops, and sample regional specialties like fontina cheese and cured meats.
- Saint-Vincent – This charming spa town is located in the heart of Aosta Valley’s vineyards and offers plenty of opportunities to taste local wines along with other traditional products like honey and chestnuts.
- Morgex – This picturesque village is located at the foot of Mont Blanc and is home to some of the highest vineyards in Europe. Visitors can taste local wines made from grapes grown on steep terraces overlooking the valley.
- Chambave – This small town is known for its production of Fumin, a red grape variety that grows particularly well in this part of Aosta Valley. Visitors can explore local wineries and enjoy scenic walks through nearby vineyards.
- Donnas – This historic town has been producing wine since Roman times and is known for its red wines made from Nebbiolo grapes. Visitors can take guided tours of local wineries and learn about the region’s long winemaking tradition.
Unique places to visit in the Aosta Valley wine region
Here are some unique and popular attractions to visit in Aosta Valley:
- The Matterhorn Mountain – While technically located across the border in Switzerland, the Matterhorn is one of the most iconic mountains in the Alps and can be seen from many points in Aosta Valley. Visitors can take a cable car up to Plateau Rosa for stunning views of the mountain and surrounding area.
- Fort Bard – This impressive fortress dates back to the 19th century and played an important role in protecting the valley from invaders. Today it has been transformed into a museum with exhibits on local history, art, and culture.
- Gran Paradiso National Park – This beautiful park covers over 700 square kilometers and is home to a wide variety of wildlife including ibex, chamois, marmots, and golden eagles. Visitors can enjoy hiking trails, scenic drives, and guided tours.
- Castello di Fénis – This medieval castle dates back to the 14th century and is one of the best-preserved castles in all of Italy. Visitors can explore its many rooms filled with historic artifacts and admire its beautiful frescoes.
Mont Blanc Skyway – This cable car system takes visitors up to Punta Helbronner at an altitude of over 3,400 meters for breathtaking views of Mont Blanc and the surrounding peaks.
Best wineries to visit in Aosta Valley
Popular wines of Aosta Valley
The Aosta Valley wine region is not very well-known, but there are a few wines from the region that are considered to be particularly noteworthy.
Petite Arvine: A white wine made from the Petite Arvine grape variety, which is unique to the region. It is known for its minerality, acidity, and floral aromas. It’s considered a wine that can age well for a few years.
Fumin: A red wine made from the Fumin grape variety. It is known for its fruity, spicy, and tannic profile, and it’s considered a wine that can age well for a few years.
Pinot Noir: A red wine made from the Pinot Noir grape variety. It is known for its complexity, depth, and aging potential.
Moscato: A white wine made from the Moscato grape variety. It is known for its floral, fruity, and slightly effervescent character.
Blanc de Morgex et La Salle: A white wine made from the Prié Blanc grape variety. It is known for its floral and fruity aromas, and its minerality.
Blanc de Morgex et La Salle “Vin de Glacier”: A white wine made from the Prié Blanc grape variety, grown at high altitude. It is known for its minerality and acidity.
Blanc de Morgex et La Salle “Vin de Glacier” Rosé: A rosé wine made from the Prié Blanc grape variety, grown at high altitude. It is known for its minerality and acidity.
Metodo Classico: Sparkling wine made from a blend of grape varieties, using the traditional method. It’s known for its fine bubbles, complexity, and aging potential.
About Aosta Valley Wines: Types & Characteristics
The Aosta Valley wine region is located in the northwestern part of Italy and is known for its high-altitude vineyards and cool climate. The region is relatively small and produces a limited amount of wine each year, but the wines that are produced are known for their unique character and quality.
The most common grape varieties grown in the region for red wines are Petit Rouge, a variety that is unique to the Aosta Valley and known for its deep color and intense flavor, Fumin, which is a traditional grape variety of the region, known for its fruity, spicy and tannic profile, and Pinot Noir. These grape varieties are used to produce red wines that are known for their complexity, depth, and aging potential.
For white wines, the most common grape varieties grown in the region are Moscato, Petit Arvine and Chardonnay. Moscato is a traditional grape variety of the region, known for its floral, fruity and slightly effervescent character. Petit Arvine, is a grape variety that is unique to the Aosta Valley, known for its minerality, acidity, and floral aromas. Chardonnay is a grape variety that is known for its versatility and ability to adapt to different terroirs, it is used to produce white wines that are known for their complexity, depth and aging potential.
Finally, the Aosta Valley wine region also produces sparkling wines using the Metodo Classico technique. This method is similar to the method used to produce Champagne and involves a secondary fermentation in the bottle, giving the wine its bubbles. These wines are known for their fine bubbles, complexity and aging potential.
Appellations of the Aosta Valley wine region
The Aosta Valley wine region in Italy is relatively small, but it is home to several unique and high-quality wine appellations. Here are the main appellations of the Aosta Valley wine region:
- Valle d’Aosta DOC – This appellation covers most of the wines produced in the Aosta Valley region, including red, white, and rosé wines made from both local and international grape varieties.
- Torrette DOC – This appellation is reserved for red wines made from a blend of Petit Rouge, Fumin, and Mayolet grapes. These wines tend to be full-bodied with notes of dark fruit and spice.
- Blanc de Morgex et de La Salle DOC – This appellation is reserved for white wines made from the Prié Blanc grape variety, which is grown at some of the highest vineyards in Europe. These wines are typically crisp and refreshing with notes of citrus and minerality.
- Enfer d’Arvier DOC – This appellation is reserved for red wines made from the Petit Rouge grape variety grown in the commune of Arvier. These wines tend to be lighter-bodied with notes of red fruit and earthy undertones.
- Nus Malvoisie DOC – This appellation is reserved for white wines made from the Malvoisie grape variety grown in the commune of Nus. These wines tend to be rich and complex with notes of honey, apricot, and floral aromas.
Aosta Valley Wine Taste Notes & Flavors
Wines made using the Metodo Classico technique are known for their fine bubbles, complexity, and aging potential. You can expect to taste flavors such as green apples, pears, and floral notes, with good acidity and minerality, and a creamy mousse.
It’s also worth noting that the Aosta Valley wine region is relatively small, so the wines produced there are not as widely available as wines from other, more well-known regions in Italy. However, if you do have the opportunity to taste wines from the Aosta Valley, it’s a unique experience that showcases the unique terroir and grape varieties of the region.
When you taste the wines, you can look for the specific characteristics that are mentioned above, take notes, and compare them with other wines you have tasted. Also, it’s important to know that the wines from the Aosta Valley are not cheap and are considered premium wines, so you may want to compare the price with the quality and experience that you expect.
Grape Varieties of Aosta Valley wines
The wines that are produced in the Aosta Valley are known for their high quality and unique character, thanks in part to the use of local grape varieties. Here are some of the most common grape types grown in the Aosta Valley:
- Petit Rouge – This is one of the most widely planted red grape varieties in the Aosta Valley, used in many of the region’s red blends. Wines made from Petit Rouge tend to be medium-bodied with notes of red fruit and spice.
- Fumin – Another important red grape variety in the Aosta Valley, Fumin is often blended with other local grapes like Petit Rouge and Mayolet. Wines made from Fumin tend to be full-bodied with notes of dark fruit and earthy undertones.
- Prié Blanc – This white grape variety is grown at some of the highest vineyards in Europe, and is used to produce crisp and refreshing white wines that often have notes of citrus and minerality.
- Malvoisie – Also known as Malvasia, this white grape variety is used to produce rich and complex white wines with notes of honey, apricot, and floral aromas.
- Cornalin – This red grape variety is not as widely planted as some others in the Aosta Valley, but it is gaining popularity for its full-bodied wines with notes of black fruit and spice.
Frequently Asked Questions About Aosta Valley wine region
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Where is the Aosta Valley wine region located?The Aosta Valley wine region is located in the northwest of Italy, in the Valle d'Aosta region.
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What are the most popular grape varieties grown in the Aosta Valley wine region?The most popular grape varieties grown in the Aosta Valley wine region are Petite Arvine, Fumin, and Pinot Noir.
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Are there any unique wine styles produced in the Aosta Valley wine region?Yes, the Aosta Valley wine region is known for its unique terroir and grape varieties, which lend specific characteristics and styles to the wines produced there.
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What are the must-visit places in the Aosta Valley wine region?Popular cities to visit include Aosta, Nus, Courmayeur, Gressoney-Saint-Jean, Morgex and other small towns like Torrette, Gaby, Châtillon, Saint-Vincent and Saint-Denis are also worth visiting for a more authentic and off-the-beaten-path experience.
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How can I arrange a visit to a winery in the Aosta Valley wine region?Many wineries in the Aosta Valley wine region have tasting rooms and offer tours of their vineyards and cellars. These can be arranged by contacting the winery directly or through a local tour operator.
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Are there any other activities to do while visiting the Aosta Valley wine region?The Aosta Valley region is known for its skiing and outdoor activities, but it also has a thriving wine scene. The region also offers a chance to experience the unique culture of the region, Roman ruins and medieval architecture, and traditional alpine architecture.
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What should I expect when tasting wines from Aosta Valley wine region?Wines from the Aosta Valley wine region are known for their minerality, acidity, and floral aromas of white wines and fruity, spicy, and tannic profile of red wines. They are also known for their complexity, aging potential, and minerality.