With just under 650ha of vines the Aosta Valley, which borders onto France and Switzerland, is the smallest wine growing region in Italy (province Aosta and capital town of Aosta). The only DOC-Appellation "Valle d'Aosta" is divided into seven areas Arnad-Montjovet, Arvier, Chambave, Donnas, Morgex-La Salle, Nus and Torette. Alongside about 80 km of the River Dora Baltea 22 officially recognised grape varieties are grown. The names of various types of wine are taken from the grape variety or from the name of the place where they are grown. Due to the officially recognised bilingualism the names have a French origin. Here you can still find traditional vines that grow without engrafting. The vineyards that are planted up to 1200 m above sea level certainly live up to their name, and are some of the highest vineyards in Europe. Although most of the wine produced is red, some remarkable dry white wines with intensive mineral bouquet are also produced here.

The most important autochthonous grape varieties of the Aosta Valley
White wine: Blanc de Valdigne, Prie Blanc
Red wine: Petit rouge, Vien de Nus, Gros Vien, Neyret, Mayolet, Fumin.

The predominant grape is the Petit rouge that can also grow in stony areas. It produces dark red, aromatic, rugged wines.

Aosta Valley pdf