Valtellina Superiore DOCG: specifications, areas, pairings

Valtellina wines: the sub-areas and types

The approximately 820 hectares of the Valtellina wine-growing territorio include both the DOC and the DOCG. To be able to boast the DOCG, the wines produced durante this territory must meet stringent requirements regarding practices durante the vineyard and durante the cellar. It is often said that there are 5 sub-areas of the DOCG but durante reality, there are 6 because the territorio durante question must also be considered to which Valtellina does not have a specific and additional mention the label. This is the easternmost part, where the wines produced fall within the DOCG but durante none of the 5 specific sub-zones. Durante all other cases, however, the Valtellina DOCG will bear the name of the micro-zone of production, namely Maroggia, Sassella, Tartaro, Grumello, Valgella.

The regulations: vines and winemaking

As we have already anticipated, the specifications of the Valtellina DOCG are very stringent and it is not uncommon for wines suitable for DOCG to then be included durante the DOC. We are not going to list all the technicalities required by the specifications but we only remember that, durante order to be recognized the DOCG, Valtellina must:

Be produced 90% from Chiavennasca grapes with the remaining 10% to be chosen from non-aromatic red grape varieties grown durante Lombardy Modo from vineyards with a density of at least 4,000 vines/ha Be vinified durante the DOCG territorio Aged for at least 24 months, of which at least 12 durante wooden barrels.

Valtellina Reserve

We speak of Reserve when the wine is left to refine for at least one year longer than required by the specification, i.e. 24 months. Thus, we often find ourselves faced with splendid examples of wines capable of aging and maturing for many years after their entry onto the market, offering the magnificent surprises that only Nebbiolo reserves for those who know how to wait

from Valtellina

When we talk about Valtellina we cannot help but also talk about : a wine which, starting from the same cardine, thanks to the long stay of the grapes durante the fruit cellars before vinification, takes unique characteristics that recall those of Amarone.

Pairings

The characteristics of Valtellina DOCG are very distinctive. Garnet red colour, brillante and persistent and dry, dry, pleasantly tannic taste with a characteristic acidity, especially when young. Durante light of this identikit, combining it is not difficult: the structure which it can count predisposes it to complex dishes but also simple as long as they have great persistence. Durante this sense, traditional Valtellina dishes seem to have been created specifically to be eaten with a glass of Valtellina DOCG (better a bottle to tell the truth!). Sciatt, Polenta Taragna with sausages, Chiscioi and Pizzoccheri are the regional combinations that are most enhanced by pairing with this wine. To conclude, don’t deny yourself a glass of with a tasting of Bitto DOP cheese and, before getting up from the table, treat yourself to a tasting of a Valtellina doloroso.