📜 Valtellina Superiore
A red wine from Nebbiolo on the mountain terraces of the Valtellina valley in the Alps.
Valtellina Superiore is a red wine from Nebbiolo grown on the mountain terraces of the Valtellina valley in the Alps. The valley is in Lombardy in northern Italy, next to the Swiss border. The name is protected as a PDO.
The vineyards sit on steep south-facing slopes divided by stone terraces. The terraces were built by hand and stretch for tens of kilometres. The local name for Nebbiolo here is Chiavennasca. The bulk of the wine is made from it. The mountain climate gives cool nights and bright sun by day, and the stone walls warm up and give heat back to the vines.
Valtellina has several subzones: Sassella, Grumello, Inferno, Valgella and Maroggia. Each has its own soil and wine character. Valtellina Superiore is aged longer than the valley's ordinary wine, so it comes out elegant, with notes of red berries, roses and spice. It is served with meat, game and cheese. The wine differs from Barolo and Barbaresco: it is lighter but just as refined. The terraces of Valtellina are called a model of mountain viticulture.
How it connects to Wine
📜 Valtellina Superiore ← main grape of ← 🍇 Nebbiolo → kind of → 🍇 Grape varieties → kind of → 🍷 Wine
Links
- Where it is
- 📍 Valtellina
- Main grapes
- 🍇 Nebbiolo
- Wines
- 🍷 Red wine, 🍷 Still wine
Frequently asked questions
What grape is Valtellina Superiore made from?
Nebbiolo, called Chiavennasca here.
Where is Valtellina?
In Lombardy in northern Italy, in the Alps by the Swiss border.
What subzones are there?
Sassella, Grumello, Inferno, Valgella and Maroggia.
Similar
📜 Valtellina Rosso · 📜 Sforzato di Valtellina · 📜 Alpi Retiche · 📜 Lessona · 📜 Barbaresco · 📜 Carema
⚠️ Wine contains alcohol: adults only, drink in moderation. Wine usually contains sulphites; egg white or milk proteins are sometimes used for fining — important for allergies and for vegans.