Elba

Styles

Principal grape varieties

Accessory grape varieties

Terroir

• The island of Elba covers an area of 224 sq km, with predominantly hilly terrain and a substantial mountain massif in the western part that exceeds 1,000 metres in altitude.
• The altitudinal range for vine cultivation extends from sea level up to 450 metres.
• In the western zone of the Monte Capanne massif, soils derive from the breakdown of granitic rocks and are loose and highly permeable.
• In the central zone, of sedimentary origin, small transitional plains are found between the coastline and gently sloping hills, with calcareous, gravelly, and moderately clayey soils.
• In the eastern part of the island, of metamorphic origin, shallow soils with a coarse skeleton and a good presence of minerals predominate.
• The Mediterranean climate has a mean annual temperature of approximately 17°C, with winter averages of 10°C and summer averages of 24°C, and annual rainfall of around 700 mm, reaching peaks of 900 mm on the north-facing slopes of Monte Capanne and 500 mm on the south-southwest-facing slopes.

• Viticulture on the island of Elba dates back to the Etruscan period, while the traditional bush-vine (alberello) training system reflects Greek influence, and the Romans referred to it as an island abundant in wine.
• In the mid-nineteenth century, the outbreak of powdery mildew led to the uprooting of most vineyards, coinciding with a demographic decline of more than 10%, and only with the introduction of sulfur as a treatment did the island's population begin to recover.
• In 1870 the extent of vineyards on the island reached almost 5,000 hectares, more than 20% of the total surface area, according to the Agrarian Survey conducted by Senator Stefano Iacini for the first census of the Kingdom of Italy.

• The white wines display good salinity and a pronounced minerality on the palate, attributed to the mineral composition of the island's soils.
• The wines have a fairly high minimum total alcoholic strength and a modest level of total acidity, owing to the island's warm and dry climate.

• The warm and dry climate during the summer months results in low yields per vine and promotes early ripening and excellent grape health.
• The warm and sunny September climate has given rise to the practice of brief sun-drying (appassimento) of the most prized varieties in order to produce sweet passito wines such as Ansonica, Moscato, Bianco, and Vin santo.

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-A1519
• Official trade body site — Consorzio di Tutela dei Vini dell'Elba