Bianco dell'Empolese

Styles

Principal grape varieties

Accessory grape varieties

Terroir

• The Western Plain area has soils originating from Quaternary alluvial and lacustrine deposits, with a mean elevation of 184 m above sea level.
• The elevation in the Western Plain area ranges from a minimum of 12 m above sea level at Fucecchio to a maximum of 206 m above sea level at Empoli, with a mean slope of 4%.
• In the Western Plain area the climate ranges from Mediterranean to Warm Temperate, with mean annual temperatures of 12–15°C and mean annual rainfall of 850–1,100 mm.
• The Central Hills area has soils originating from Pliocene and Pleistocene marine deposits, with a mean elevation of 233 m above sea level and a mean slope of 13%.
• In the Central Hills area the elevation ranges from 23 m above sea level at Vinci to a maximum of 633 m above sea level on the Monte Albano massif, also within the commune of Vinci.
• The territory is characterised by the middle and lower Val d'Arno plain and the surrounding hills, which to the north belong to the Montalbano and Cerbaie systems and to the south to the central hills.

• Viticulture in the delimited area predates the Roman era, as attested by archaeological finds from the Etruscan settlement of Bibbiani-Monteregi.
• The variety traditionally grown in the area is above all Trebbiano, to the extent that it has taken on the local synonym Trebbiano dell'Empolese.
• In 1969 the Ente di tutela dei vini tipici di Empoli e della Val d'Elsa was established, and the DOC was validated in 1989 following the application submitted in 1979.

• The Bianco wine displays a straw-yellow colour of varying intensity, while the Vin Santo ranges from golden to amber, with a modest level of acidity in both wine types.
• On the nose and palate, characteristic and harmonious aromas are found, with a characteristic finish that is specifically notable in the Vin Santo type.

• The slow and complete ripening of the grapes, sometimes extending into November and favoured by the relatively high temperatures and excellent sunshine hours in September and October, contributes significantly to the distinctive organoleptic characteristics of the wines.

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-A1337
• Official trade body site — Consorzio Vino Chianti