Description
The Candia dei Colli Apuani PDO is reserved for the following types of wine: White, Red, Rosé, Vin Santo and Late Harvest. The Designation also incorporates numerous grape variety specifications.
Production Area
The production area of Candia dei Colli Apuani PDO is within the territory of the municipalities of Carrara, Massa and Montignoso in the Province of Massa Carrara, in the Tuscany region.
Description of product typologies
Candia dei Colli Apuani PDO Bianco is pale straw-yellow with amber reflections; it is delicate, fruity and slightly aromatic on the nose; it is well-structured on the palate, with a smooth and harmonious flavour, fruity and floral aromas, often dry and pleasantly mouth-filling, and always lively and fresh. There is considerable sapidity due to the vineyard’s proximity to the sea. It can also be a semi-sparkling wine (Dry and Semi-Sweet). Candia dei Colli Apuani PDO Rosso is ruby-red; it offers young and fruity fragrances on the nose with spicy notes; it is full, dry and structured on the palate. Candia dei Colli Apuani PDO Rosato has a fairly intense pink colour; it is vinous and fruity on the nose, with vegetal and floral notes; it is dry, fresh and balanced on the palate. Candia dei Colli Apuani PDO Vin Santo is a beautiful straw-yellow to amber colour, varying in intensity; it displays intense and ethereal fragrances on the nose; it is harmonious on the palate, from dry to semi-sweet, with notes of dried fruit and sweet spices. After drying, grapes which are suitable for the production of Vin Santo must ensure that the wine has a minimum natural alcohol level of 16% vol.; grapes destined for vinification must be dried naturally in suitable areas using the traditional method, and cannot be mashed before December 1st of the harvest year and no later than March 31st of the following year; partial dehydration of the grapes may be carried out with ventilated air; vinification, storage and ageing must take place in wooden kegs with a capacity of no more than 5 hectolitres. Candia dei Colli Apuani PDO Vin Santo cannot be released for consumption before November 1st of the third year following that in which the grapes were produced. Candia dei Colli Apuani PDO Vendemmia Tardiva is yellow to straw-yellow and amber, varying in intensity; it displays intense, ethereal and aromatic fragrances on the nose; it varies from dry to semi-sweet on the palate, yet is always harmonious and delicate. Grapes suitable for the production of Vin Santo must ensure that the wine has a minimum natural alcohol level of 15% vol.; the grapes can also be dried on the vines or in suitable locations; partial dehydration of the grapes with ventilated air is permitted.
Grape variety specifications
Candia dei Colli Apuani PDO may display the following grape variety specifications. From white grape varieties: minimum 85% Vermentino, pure or with the addition of similarly-coloured grapes originating from other grape varieties suitable for cultivation in the concerned area, maximum 15%. From red grape varieties: minimum 85% Vermentino Nero (incl. Rosé), Barsaglina (or Massaretta), pure or with the addition of similarly-coloured grapes originating from other grape varieties suitable for cultivation in the concerned area, maximum 15%. The characteristics of the colour, fragrances and flavour of each specification are typical of the grape variety and terroir of origin.
