Andiamo

So you are planning to visit Val d’Aosta, a sliver of mountainous landbordering on Switzerland and France. This region is bilingual and boasts someof the best skiing in Europe for example on Mount Blanc near Courmayeur. Inthis tiny region you’ll find some 150 historic castles, forts, and towers.Visit the medieval village of Bard and the fort that impeded Napoleon’smilitary progress for two weeks way back when. St. Vincent has been a sparesort for more than one hundred years and is popular with the jet set. If youhave time for only one castle, make it the Castello Fénis and don’t miss itsancient frescoes. Visit the Parco Nazionale de Gran Paradiso (Grand ParadiseNational Park) is Italy’s first national park, and once belonged to King VictorEmanuel III. You’ll see many species unique to Europe. Finish your tour in thecapital Aosta home to the cathedral, other historic churches, and Roman ruins.The Ad Forum Enoteca built on ancient Roman walls in the center of the city isthe place to taste local wines.

Val d’Aosta handles wine classification differently from almost any otherregion of Italy. There is a single DOC zone which englobes the entire region.Most of the thirteen wine styles are identified by grape variety. The reds aredry but the whites may be dry or sweet, still, frizzy, or sparkling. However,very little of the local wine is exported to North America. After all, thereare only 385 acres (about 155 hectares) of vineyards in the entire Val d’AostaDOC that are exploited by thousands of growers.

Major white grape varieties include the local Blanc de Morgex and PetiteArvine (popular in Switzerland. International varieties include Chardonnay andPinot Grigio. Local red varieties include Petit Rouge, Picotendro (calledNebbiolo in neighboring Piedmont), Premetta, and Fumin. International redvarieties include Gamay, Pinot Noir, Grenache, and Syrah. For a tiny volumethere are lots of grape varieties.

Companies that sell regional wine tours include di Vino Tours, Italian WineHolidays, and Wine Tour Italia. Regional wineries that accept visits includeCave du Vin Blanc de Morgex et de La Salle in Morgex and Societa Agricola LesCretes in Aymavilles. Contact the Institut Agricole Régional in Aosta andViticulteurs Encaveurs Vallee d’Aoste in Quart for information about visitingother wine producers. A few words of warning are in order. Make sure that youcheck ahead of time for opening hours and whether English is spoken. Some ofthese places may charge admission; others may expect you to buy some of theirproducts.