Valle D’Aosta

The Valle d’Aosta is located in northwestern Italy, above Piedmont.  This tiny region borders Switzerland and France and may be more known among alpinists than wine circles for the iconic peaks of the Matterhorn, Mont Blanc, Monte Rosa and Gran Paradiso.  The area’s small production numbers mean that the wines are not widely distributed outside of the region.  So, seek them out and and try them when you come across these rare finds.  Despite this being a cooler Alpine region, red wines outnumber whites.  Reds are made from Petite Rouge and Fumin as well as  Nebbiolo and Pinot Noir.  The principal white grapes are Petite Arvine and Prie Blanc.