The typical dry walls of Valtellinese
terraces
|
 VARIETIES
:: Characteristics
Due to the very steep slopes, the
Valtellinese farmer has had to resort to the
realisation of about 1200 km of dry wall
constructions to terrace the slopes exposed
to the sun.
It is on these terraces that Nebbiolo,
locally called “Chiavennasca” is cultivated
with a density varying between 4000 to 5000
stocks per hectare; a planting system has
been adopted which gives an average
distance of 150 centimetres between the
rows and 140 cm between the vines
(traditional system – a modification – in
line with the steepest gradient) and from
210 to 90 cm (newly planted terraces
“circuiting terraces”). To enjoy maximum
insolation the rows are placed in the
direction of the steepest gradient.
The rows of vines are pruned using the
‘guyot’ method, modified in the shape of an
arch with the fruit head 60 cm. from the
ground and supported by a stake, one time
from chestnut wood, now in concrete.
Over the years local wine growing has not
suffered substantial changes with regard to
varieties of grape: a rare exception regards
evolution which some of the typical zones
have developed in the past, but more so
during the post-war period.
This confirms the validity of the choice and
the orientation at that time, besides the
specific inclination of the nature of wine
growers in the production of red wine.
A viticulture which does not base its
choices on classic International wines, but
places its strength on a noble, complicated
species of grape capable of expressing the
values of the vineyard and of the
vine-dresser.
The Valtellenese grape varieties are:
PIGNOLA -
ROSSOLA -
BRUGNOLA -
NEBBIOLO
It is necessary to remark on how the
Chiavennasca grape was originally a Nebbiolo
(phenotype Chiavennasca), acclimatizing
itself optimally in Valtellina after a
certain time after its introduction:
Chiavennasca has all the signs of
aristocracy, conceded by its origin, behind
it, which is ancestor of a ‘compact’ order
of high class and famous wines such as
Barolo, Barbaresco and Gattinara.
The other three local varieties compete, in
very limited quantities, to the order of
traditional vines, either as a table wine or
of high quality.
 THE
CLIMATE
Amongst the characteristics of this
wonderful land, place of honour must
assuredly go to its very particular
geographic position.
The valley, with the River Adda running
through it, evolves from EAST to WEST,
closed in the NORTH by the Alps, the SOUTH
by the Prealps, to the EAST by the Adamello
group and Stelvio, to the WEST by Lake
Como. Without a doubt we can say that
Valtellina has a micro-climate, seeing that
it is protected from atmospheric
disturbances and cold winds from the NORTH
and those which are hot and humid from the
SOUTH. The important elements such as
ventilation coming from thermal and
descesional air currents, the mild influence
of Lake Como, the heavy showers distributed
over the course of the year, the
considerable light given by its exposure to
the SOUTH do seem to make the territory
appear hostile to the cultivation of vines
when in actual fact it is the Valtellinese
viticulture’s strongest point
THE
LAND
The soil was conceived partly from
degradation of rock and partly through
restitution by the Valtellinese farmers
during the course of the centuries.
The vineyard’s soil, that part of the land
which interacts with the plant’s root system
is certainly not homogeneous: however, we
have some similar parametres. A low ph (4.0
– 5.5), an abundance of minerals, a strong
presence of sand, generally not very deep
(sometimes just 20 – 30 cm).
The presence of organic and humus substances
is variable: certainly it depends on a
correct agronomic plan, on the depth of the
land, the slope’s incline, exposure………
Intervention strategies become important for
each single farmer: a correct lime content
which does not upset the obtained balance,
but allows a slight decrease in acidity
thereby retaining the micro-elements
(otherwise lost through flooding); a reduced
amount of N and only if necessary a
distribution of K and P, thereby
re-integrating the amount lost through grape
harvesting and pruning. The balance between
the assimilable micro-elements is
satisfactory: no particular deficiencies
have been found.
A rather poor soil, arid, impracticable, but
due to abundant insolation, to numerous
summer storms which exclude the need to
water and to all those factors which
determine our “terroir” not only allow the
vines to develop but especially the Nebbiolo,
a variety which is considered by everyone to
be difficult, even more so than the Pinot
Nero.
THE VALTELLINA
The Valtellina, forged by the River Adda, is
in a characteristic and particular
geographic position. In fact, it is the
most northern valley in Lombardy, an area
which superimposes its borders with those of
Switzerland. From an altitude of 150 m.
above sea level its highest peaks reach
3.800 m.
Agriculture plays a fundamental part in
Valtellinese economy, giving an added
incentive to the tourist sector, a driving
force in a delicately balanced economic
system.
Zootechnics, fruit farming, cultivation of
vines, small fruits, bee-keeping are all a
fundamental part of the agricultural sector;
numerous small artisan businesses support
the development of a few industries which
are present – mostly between Sondrio and
Lake Como. The tourist sector, with its
2.000.000 beds per annum is well distributed
over the valley, from Maesimo to Livigno,
from Bormio to Chiavenna which offer a high
level of services, excellent ski-ing piste
and structures of all types for all ages.
Viticulture borders on the limits of
possibility allowed by nature. One can say
that other than the Valtellinese vineyards
there is nothing else but the mountain –
very predominant and imposing, which
constitutes the Alpine chain which separates
it from Switzerland.
The vines in Valtellina extend along a strip
of about 40 km. separated on the northern
side by the valley, from Ardenno to Tirano,
on two small slopes on the south side (Orobico)
in the municipality of Albosaggia and Villa
di Tirano, on almost the entire floor of the
Val Chiavenna and the Morbegnese, on the
slopes of the Rhaetic, from Dubino to Dazio,
on the valley floor ‘s orobic side, from
Colorina to Stazzona and in upper Valtellina
between Sernio and Grosio.
AN
HISTORICAL OUTLINE
The Valtellina Road is certainly ancient:
early archaeological findings discovered in
the valley (also in our vineyards!) date
back to the prehistoric era. The Ancient
Romans took possession of it a few decades
before the birth of Christ and traces of
early settlers such as the Gauls, Ligurians
and Etruscancs were found. The Romans
created a number of a towns in order to
dominate the entire valley and to control
the roads leading NORTH. Then the
Longobards, Venetians, Grisons, Austrians
arrived: all of whom respected the Valley
and its people and brought with them new and
fresh important ideas and equipment. They
all appreciated the vine and its magnificent
product. Who crosses the Valtellina, in
fact, is amazed by the long system of
terraces which face the Rhaetic side of the
valley.
Chiavennasca has prospered for many
centuries on these terraces, built with
thousands of years work behind them. Its
culture in the Valtellina probably dates
back to the Ligurian and Etruscan era: they
constituted the first settlements in the
valley, even if recent archaeological
findings, amongst which a sacrificial stone
found in the locality of “CAVEN” at Tresenda,
date the presence of human beings to well
before that era.
Indications and testimonies have come our
way mostly through Latin history writers,
such as Catullo, Marziale, Columello,
Svetonio, Strabone, Plinio the Aged and in
more recent times by Virgil (“…Et quo te
carmine dicam Rhatica?) Virgil – “Georgiche”)
and Leonardo da Vince (“Voltolina, as is
said, a valley surrounded by high and
terrible mountains, makes potent wine and
enough of it” Leonardo da Vinci – “Codice
Atlantico”) who amply praise the valley,
obviously citing the name “Rhaetic”
originating from the mountains which host
the cultivations on their slopes.
The product has always been greatly destined
for the foreign countries of Central and
Western Europe; for both geographical and
historic-political reasons.
Documentation proves commercial relations
with Switzerland and Czechoslovakia, Germany
and even with France.
This commerce with abroad was realised
through the Maloja Pass for Engadina,
through the Spluga Pass for the Rhine Valley
and through the Bormio passes for German. |
