Alpine Beauty: The Wines of Valle d’Aosta

Viticulture is heroic on the steep Alpine vineyards in Valle d’Aosta. The result: terroir-driven wines that pulsate with minerality and energy.

There aren’t a lot of regions in the world that remain undiscovered, especially in the Old World. Tucked between Italy and Switzerland, Valle d’Aosta remains largely unknown outside a small circle of enthusiasts. If it weren’t for my frequent trips in northern Italy when I worked in finance I might have never seen the extraordinary vineyards that dot these picturesque hillside towns. Over the last few years in particular the wines have come on strong. I am not sure if that is because warmer growing seasons have made these wines – most of which emerge from steep, high-altitude sites – much more appealing than in the past, or whether a search for distinctive yet affordable bottles has simply led wine lovers to pay more attention to the region, but the simple fact is that the Valle d'Aosta is one of the most exciting, emerging appellations in Italy today.