Geography & Climate
The Aosta Valley (Italian: Valle d'Aosta or Val d'Aosta) is a mountainous autonomous region in north-western Italy. It is bordered by France to the west, Switzerland to the north and the region of Piedmont to the south and east.
With an area of 3,263 km2 (1,260 sq mi) and a population of about 120,000, it is the smallest, least populous, and least densely populated region of Italy. It is the only Italian region which has no provinces (the province of Valle d'Aosta was dissolved in 1945). Provincial administrative functions are provided by the regional government. The region is divided into 74 comuni (communes).
The Aosta Valley is an Alpine valley that with its side valleys includes the Italian slopes of Monte Bianco, Monte Rosa and the Matterhorn; its highest peak is Monte Bianco (the Mont Blanc).
The climate of the region is severe, especially when compared with other places in the Western Alps. This is probably due to the mountains blocking the mild winds from the Atlantic Ocean. Places with the same altitude in France or western Switzerland are not as cold as the Aosta Valley.
Aosta Valley may be divided into different climatic zones:
The Dora Baltea Valley, between 300 and 1000 meters, with the mildest climate in all the province, has a typical Oceanic climate (Cfb). The winters are mild, even milder than the Po River Valley, but usually wet and foggy. Snow is frequent only during January and February, but the foggy season, which starts in late October, lasts until May. The temperature average for January is between -1° and 3° C. The summers are mild, usually rainy. Temperature averages in July between 17° and 20° C. The main towns in this area are Aosta, Saint-Vincent, Donnas and Courmayeur. Due to the occidental position at the Alpine Arc, the climate classified as Cfb may extend to relatively high places, especially near the French border, which receives the mild oceanic wind, so it's possible to find places at 1500, or even 1900 meters with the same Cfb climate, but the temperatures are lower, around -2° C in the winter and 15° C in the summer, and mist during all the year.
The valleys around 1300 meters, which, depending on the geomorphology, develop a Humid continental climate (Dfb), although with mild winter temperatures for this kind of climate, similar to the temperatures of the Norwegian fjords, as in Trondheim. Winter temperatures average around -3° or -4° C, and summers between 13° and 15° C. The snow season starts in November and lasts until March. Mist is common during the morning from April until October. The main communities in this area are Gressoney-Saint-Jean (averages of -4.8° C in January and 13.8° C in July), Brusson and Gressoney-La-Trinite.
The mountain lands around 2000 meters have a Cold Oceanic Climate (Cfc). This area has a climate similar to some northern-Norway fjords. Even though at a very high altitude, the climate is mild. This is due to the high influence of the oceanic mild air that can blow at these regions. Fog is common throughout the year, especially in April and October, when some years these regions can have more than a week with constant fog and mist. The winters are mild. Mean temperature ranges between -3° C at the driest regions and 2° C near lakes. During the summer, the mean temperatures are very low, around 12° C.
The valleys above 1600 meters usually develop a Cold Continental Climate (Dfc). In this climate the snow season is very long, as long as 8 or 9 months at the highest points. During the summer, mist occurs almost every day. These areas are the wettest in the western Alps. Temperatures are low, between -7° C and -3° C in January, and in July between 10° and 13° C. In this area is the town of Rhemes-Notre-Dame, which may be the coldest in the Occidental Alps and where winter average temperature is around -7° C. Other towns with this climate are Chamois, Cervinia (sometimes ET), Bionaz (sometimes mild), Gressoney-La-Trinite (mild), and others.
Areas between 2000 meters and 3500 meters usually have a Tundra Climate (ET). Every month has an average temperature below 10° C. Winter and summer averages can change according to the altitude. This climate may be a kind of more severe Cold Oceanic Climate, with a low summer average but mild winters, sometimes above -3° C, especially near lakes, or a more severe Cold Continental Climate, with a very low winter average. Above 3000 meters is typically mountainous climate. Averages in Pian Rosa, at 3400 meters, are -11.6° C in January and 1.4° C in July. It is the coldest place in Italy where the climate is verifiable.
Above 3500 meters, all the months have an average temperature below freezing, and we find a Perpetual Frost Climate (EF) [source: Wikipedia].
Wines
The Aosta Valley grapes and wines are primarily determined by the characteristic predominant soil composed of a rocky, gritty, semi-fertile mixture and by high altitude. Overall, the region's wines are as singular as its dialects and traditions. The Institut Agricole Regional has catalogued thirteen grapes considered native to the region and most of them are used as blends in the majority of local DOC-labeled wines. The most widespread among the "indigenous" grapes are the red Petit Rouge, or Little Red in French, and the Fumin, a somewhat meatier, Syrah-like grape anticipated by some local vintners as the future number one native red.
The main regional grape however, is the Picotendro, a local version of Nebbiolo that gives the DOCs produced in Donnas and Arnad a resemblance to Barolo. In addition, both the Moscato Bianco, here known as Muscat Chambave, and the local Pinot Grigio (confusingly called Malvoisie in the Chambave and Nus areas) are made into exotically fruity wines that can be either dry or sweet.
The region has a single DOC denomination that covers a total of 25 styles of wine, both varietals, such as the Chardonnay or Pinot Noir, and seven geographically designed sub-zones: Arnad-Motjovet, Arvier, Chambave, Donnas, Mergex / La Salle, Nus, and Torrette.
Because of the mix of grapes, language and place names on the Aosta valley wine labels, sometimes it can be a little confusing figuring out what's inside a bottle [source: Wine Country].
