Alpi Retiche

Styles

Principal grape varieties

Terroir

• The valley runs longitudinally along the Alpine chain, with a fully south-facing exposure, and is sheltered to both the north and east by the Rhaetian Alps.
• The proximity of Lake Como, situated to the south-west of the zone, exerts an important moderating influence on the local climate.
• The zone is characterised by constant ventilation, low but well-distributed rainfall, high luminosity, and a marked diurnal temperature range favoured by the mass of stones and rocks in the terraced walls.
• Soils are predominantly sandy, rich in skeletal material, humus, and organic matter, with a sub-acid reaction and a depth that is often limited to between 40 and 120 cm.
• In the period immediately preceding ripening, relatively low humidity and considerable diurnal temperature swings are recorded.

• The terracing of the Valtellina territory dates back to Roman times, while the rationalisation and intensification of vine cultivation is attributed in the medieval period to the magistri comacini and the Benedictine monks.
• Owing to the steep terrain and the terraced layout, the average holding size is under 3,000 square metres, and labour hours per hectare exceed 1,200 in many situations, with harvesting carried out exclusively by hand.
• The agricultural maintenance of the terraces plays a role in hydro-geological protection: landslides account for 5% of incidents where the terracing is actively worked, but this figure exceeds 80% where farmer stewardship is absent.

• The red wines display a ruby-red colour, are fresh and fruity on the nose, while on the palate they are savoury, lightly tannic, and well-structured.
• The white wines have a straw-yellow colour with possible greenish highlights, aromas of particular freshness and delicate floral notes, and a palate that is mostly dry and savoury with well-balanced acidity.

• In the cooler areas and at higher altitudes, it is possible, also by virtue of the diurnal temperature range, to produce wines characterised by an aromatic complexity and breadth that is appreciated by the market.

Facts drawn from the specification's terroir-link section by automatic interpretation — see the source.

All appellations in Italy

Sources

• Specification (EUR-Lex, single document)
• eAmbrosia register (EU) — File number PGI-IT-A1352
• Official trade body site — Consorzio di Tutela dei Vini di Valtellina