The Italy Wine Project

Regions / Lombardy

DOCGStill huntingModerate

Valtellina Superiore DOCG

Alpine Nebbiolo from dry-stone terraces at up to 800 meters, lighter and more perfumed than Barolo. Expect pale garnet, sour cherry, dried rose, alpine herbs, wet stone and a hint of tar, with fine-grained tannin and mountain acidity that keeps it lively for two decades. The five subzones give slight differences: Sassella firmest, Grumello softest, Inferno warmest, Valgella most floral. Ar.Pe.Pe. is the cult name; Nino Negri, Rainoldi and Sandro Fay are the reliable ones.

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Bottles I'm chasing

ProducerWinePriceBuy
Nino Negri
Valtellina Superiore Inferno Mazer
Frederick Wildman import, easy to find; sour cherry, tar, dried herbs, medium body, firm but fine tannin.
$28 to $38Wine-Searcher
Ar.Pe.Pe.
Valtellina Superiore Sassella Stella Retica
The cult traditionalist; long cask aging, dried rose, orange peel, wet stone, needs air.
$55 to $70Wine-Searcher
Sandro Fay
Valtellina Superiore Valgella Costa Bassa
Perfumed, floral Valgella with raspberry and alpine herbs; a great mid-priced introduction.
$30 to $40Wine-Searcher