La Crotta Di Vegneron, Petite Arvine, Val d'Aosta DOC, Italy, 2020

Producer Profile

From the foothills of the North West Italian Alps, with vineyards set into steep slopes, La Crotta has the advantage of great growing conditions.

The vineyards are located at a fairly high altitude, ranging from 500 to 850m, and enjoy a special microclimate with little rainfall and a good diurnal temperature range. The delicate grapes like Petit Arvine, Fumin and Gamay thrive here, resulting in enticing wines with a lightness of touch and minerality.

Viticulture

The vines are planted in the communes of Chambave, Saint Denis and Verrayes ranging from 500 to 850m enjoying a special microclimate, with little rainfall, high average temperatures in the day and rather low temperatures in the summer nights. These morphological and climatic characteristics favour the ripening of the grapes and limit parasitic attacks, hence very few treatments are needed, and where necessary, the treatments made are used frugally and out of respect for the environment.

Winemaking

A pre-fermentative cold skin maceration for 36 - 48 hours, fermentation in steel tanks with temperature control. Ageing in steel, keeping the wine on the lees of fermentation with frequent batonages.

Oak Ageing

No oak ageing

Tasting Note

Golden yellow in colour, pleasantly contrasting aromas of honeysuckle and lemon rind radiate from the glass. Pink grapefruit and traces of orange zest comprised the light body. Lemon notes were joined by brine like minerals in the crisp finish. Simple yet quite charismatic, this is a light, zippy glass perfect on a summery day.

Food Matching

Fontina cheese, fish.