Ansonica Costa dell'Argentario

Styles

Principal grape varieties

Accessory grape varieties

Terroir

• The zone falls within the hilly, foothill, and island areas to the south of the province of Grosseto, encompassing parts of the communes of Manciano, Orbetello, and Capalbio, as well as the entire territories of Isola del Giglio and Monte Argentario.
• The hillside soils are characterised by predominantly calcareous, anhydritic, and gypsiferous formations, with a mean elevation of 128 metres above sea level and a slope gradient of 11%.
• To the south of Capalbio, terraces and gently sloping plateaus overlie alluvial deposits of mixed particle size and sandy marine sediments, with a mean elevation of 97 metres above sea level and a slope gradient of 2%.
• The Monte Argentario promontory and the island of Giglio are formed almost entirely from a granitic pluton with small calcareous areas, where rocks such as serpentinites, limestones, and schists predominate, with mean elevations of around 250 metres above sea level.
• The Mediterranean climate has a mean temperature of approximately 16°C, annual rainfall of around 630 mm, and a Huglin Index of between 2,300 and 2,500 units, with scirocco, Libeccio, and Maestrale winds.

• Near Marsiliana, along the river Albegna, numerous Etruscan pithoi and pottery vessels have been found, suggesting it was likely a collection point for wines from the inland hills transported downriver.
• On the island of Giglio, numerous stone palmenti — rock-cut basins used by the Etruscans and Romans for treading and draining grapes — have been found, sometimes at the foot of a vineyard.
• In 1554, the pirate Barbarossa caused the deportation of more than 600 inhabitants of Giglio, an island that was then intensively cultivated with vineyards producing approximately 18,000 barrels of wine vinified in the palmenti.
• The controlled designation of origin 'Ansonica Costa dell'Argentario' was granted by ministerial decree on 28 April 1995, with a minimum contribution of 85% of the white-berried grape variety Ansonica.
• The traditional training systems of the zone, retained in new plantings as well, are the horizontal spur-trained cordon and the simple trellis, with a minimum planting density of 3,300 vines per hectare.

• The wine presents a straw-yellow colour of varying intensity, sometimes with golden highlights, and a fresh, delicate nose with light fruity notes.
• On the palate it is dry, supple, warm, and harmonious, with a restrained acidity of 4.5 g/l and a generally elevated alcoholic strength.

• The climate, characterised by scarce summer rainfall and a degree of aridity in July and August, combined with constant ventilation and good diurnal temperature variation, allows the vine to achieve a sound vegetative balance, enabling a slow and optimal ripening of the grapes and contributing to the wine's organoleptic characteristics.

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

All appellations in Italy

Sources

• eAmbrosia register (EU) — File number PDO-IT-A1312
• Official trade body site — Consorzio Tutela Vini Maremma Toscana