Pizzo Coca Chiavennasca

I am back in Northern Italy but this time to one of the smallest wine regions, Valtellina, Lombardy. A narrow snake of a valley region just south of the Swiss Alps stretches for 15 miles on either side of the town of Sondrio, part of which forms the border between Italy and Switzerland. Dramatic, steep and tiny in size terraced mountainside slopes at 220 to 760 meters are reminiscent of the slopes of the Douro or Mosel. The Adda River runs along the valley floor.

Nebbiolo (the grape is known locally as Chiavennasca) is the main red grape.

Quick Facts:

Requirements for red wines: Rosso (90% Nebbiolo) and 10% ONARG

Subzones: Maroggia, Sassella, Grumello, Inferno and Valgella.

Aging: For Superiore, minimum 2 years, including 12 months in barrel, for Riserva, minimum 3 years

Pizzo Coca

Valtellina Superiore DOCG 2016

Lombardy, Italy

Pizzo Coca is one of the smallest azienda agricola in Valtellina. Their 2 hectares are on extremely steep, rocky terrain (hence where it gets its name Inferno - the hot summer sun’s reflection on the rocks). These wines have character, ageability and elegance. Only 960 bottles made. 20 days maceration on the skins. 24 months of ageing, 12 months of which are in oak barrels. Traditional aging is made in large barres made from either chestnut or Slovenian oak.

Pours into the glass a brilliant crimson hue with a garnet trim.

Swirl and the rich bouquet roses, juicy red fruit, dried herbs are augmented with pencil shavings and tar.

Sip and the medium bodied wine has a focused palate of juicy cherry, cranberry, roses, leather, tar, savory game and earth. The bright acidity and firm underlying tannins lead to a lingering finish, with an attractive mint , thyme and licorice hum.

It’s approachable yet complex and full of lingering flavors

I paired this gorgeous Nebbiolo with Spaghetti and my Weeknight Bolognese - delizioso!!