Valle d'Aosta

Question 1

The modern name of Aosta comes from which town founded by which people?

Answer 1

Augusta Praetoria by the Romans (25 BC)

Goals was to control mountain passes

Question 2

After the fall of the Roman empire, which power occupied and ruled the Valle d’Aosta?

Answer 2

Franks (French)

Question 3

What grapes were introduced to the Valle d’Aosta by the Franks?

Answer 3

Gamay and PN

Question 4

What house ruled the Valle d’Aosta the longest? Until when?

Answer 4

House of Savoy

11th century to 1861

Question 5

What forms the Valle d’Aosta’s northern border?

Answer 5

NW corner = France

Switzerland

Question 6

What forms VdA’s west and south border?

Answer 6

Piemonte

Question 7

What are the three traditional divisions of the Valle d’Aosta?

Answer 7

1. Upper (coldest, driest)- Morgex & La Salle
2. Central (majority of production)- Chambave, Nus, Arvier
3. Lower (warmest, wettest)- Donnas, Arnad, Montjovet

Question 8

What bank of the Dora Baltea are grapes grown in each sub region?

Answer 8

Upper = North Bank
Central = mostly N Bank
Lower = both banks (E and W)

Question 9

What are the primary red grapes of the central valley of Valle d’Aosta?

Answer 9

Petite Rouge
Prëmetta
Fumin

Question 10

Approximately how many acres remain planted in the Valle d’Aosta today?

Answer 10

1200/500

Question 11

What are the primary soils of the slopes and valleys of the Valle d’Aosta?

Answer 11

Slopes- shallow, limestone or schist

Valley- alluvial with gravel

Question 12

What is the most planted white grape of the Valle d’Aosta?

Answer 12

Prié Blanc or Blanc de Morgex

Question 13

Although considered traditional in the Valle d’Aosta, Petite Arvine actually originated where?

Answer 13

Switzerland

Question 14

Petite Rouge is the primary component of the wines from which regions of Valle d’Aosta?

Answer 14

Central Valley sub-zones:

1. Tourette
2. Enfer d’Arvier
3. Chambave

Question 15

What is the Italian/local name for Petit Rouge?

Answer 15

Picciourouzo

Question 16

Nebbiolo in the Valle d’Aosta is traditionally found in which subregions?

Answer 16

Donnas & Arnad-Montjovet

Question 17

Where in the Valle d’Aosta is most Fumin typically grown?

Answer 17

Central Valley

Question 18

Which native Aostan red grape is a child of Prié Blanc? What is its local name?

Answer 18

Prié Rouge/Prëmetta

Question 19

What is the difference between a pergola of the Upper Valley and the Lower Valley?

Answer 19

3 ft vs 10 ft off the ground

Question 20

What is the minimum aging period in any vessel for red wines from the Valle d’Aosta?

Answer 20

5 months

Question 21

What are the two main Aostan grape varieties used for sweet wine production?

Answer 21

Moscato Bianco & Pinot Grigio (Malvoisie)

Question 22

What grape is used to produce traditional method sparkling wines in the Valle d’Aosta?

Ice wine too!?

Answer 22

Prié Blanc

Sparkling Labeled Spumante or Mousseux

Question 23

What was the first DOC in the Valle d’Aosta?

Answer 23

Donnas DOC [1971]

Question 24

What was the second DOC in the Valle d’Aosta?

Answer 24

Enfer d’Arvier DOC (1972)

Question 25

When was the Valle d’Aosta DOC created?

Answer 25

1985 Old DOC’s became sub zones

Question 26

A bottle of Valle d’Aosta Donnas must contain what minimum % of which grape? What is minimum aging?

Answer 26

85% Nebbiolo 24 months total/ 10 months in oak

Question 27

A bottle of Valle d’Aosta Arnad-Montjovet must contain what minimum % of which grape?

Answer 27

70% Nebbiolo

Question 28

Red wines designated Chambave must contain which minimum % of which grape?

Answer 28

70% Petite Rouge

Question 29

What three styles are produced under Chambave?

Answer 29

1. Red (70% Petite Rouge) 2. Dry Moscato Bianco 3. Moscato Bianco passito (Fletri)

Question 30

What styles of wine are produced under Nus?

Answer 30

1. RB- 70% Vien de Nus and Petite Rouge 2. Dry Malvoisie 3. Passito Malvoisie

Question 31

What styles of wine are produced under Torrette?

Answer 31

1. 70% Petite Rouge

Question 32

Which sub-zone of the Valle d’Aosta is the largest/accounts for the majority of production?

Answer 32

Torrette

Question 33

What styles of wine are produced under Valle d’Aosta Enfer d’Arvier?

Answer 33

85% Petite Rouge

Question 34

What styles of wine are produced under Valle d’Aosta Blanc de Morgex et de la Salle?

Answer 34

Dry Prié Blanc (UNGRAFTED)

Question 35

What are the Viticulteurs Encaveurs?

Answer 35

Group for growers only. Anti Co-op