Valtellina DOC; Valtellina Superiore DOCG
[vahl-tehLEE-nah]
Demarcated zone located in the LOMBARDY region in northern Italy, very close to the Swiss border. The special MACROCLIMATE of this Alpine area allows the grapes to ripen properly. Only red wines are covered by this DOC. Standard Valtellina wines are made from at least 80 percent Chiavennasca (the local name for NEBBIOLO), and the rest are made from a variety of red grapes; they require 1 year of AGING. Valtellina SUPERIORE wines, which were upgraded to DOCG status in 1998, must be made with at least 90 percent Chavennasca grapes and have 2 years of aging, one of which is in wood. Bottles labeled “RISERVA” have had 3 years of aging. Valtellina Superiore can be made only from vineyards surrounding four of Valtellina’s villages—Grumello, Inferno, Valgella, and Sassella, the latter being considered best. The word Sforzato, Sfursat, or Sfurzat on the label indicates the wine was made by the PASSITO process and has a minimum ALCOHOL content of 141⁄2 percent.
Related Links:
DOC, macroclimate, Lombardy
© Copyright Barron's Educational Services, Inc.
1995 based on THE WINE LOVER'S COMPANION,
by Ron Herbst and Sharon Tyler Herbst.
|
|
E-Mail 
Digg this!
del.icio.us
