Description
The Cortona PDO is reserved for the following types of wine: White (only with specification of grape variety), Red, Vin Santo and Vin Santo Occhio di Pernice. The Designation also incorporates numerous grape variety specifications.
Production Area
The production area of Cortona PDO is within the territory of the municipality of Cortona in the Province of Arezzo, in the Tuscany region.
Description of product typologies
The organoleptic properties of Cortona PDO Bianco wines with specification of grape variety are typical of the grapes and terroir of origin. Cortona PDO Rosso is ruby red, varying in intensity and tending towards garnet red with ageing; it is pleasant on the nose, reminiscent of slightly spicy red fruit and brushwood; it is generally ample, mellow and slightly sapid on the palate. Cortona PDO Vin Santo ranges from golden-yellow to intense amber; the nose is ethereal, dense and intense, reminiscent of dried fruit, particularly apricot; it is extremely warm and smooth on the palate, sweet, clean and embracing. It can display Riserva on the label. Cortona PDO Vin Santo Occhio di Pernice is between amber and topaz, with an ample gingery surface-edge that tends towards brown with ageing; the nose is fresh with fruity notes; it is fresh and light on the palate, with a sweet, persistent aftertaste. Cortona PDO Vin Santo and Cortona PDO Vin Santo Occhio di Pernice wines must be obtained from carefully selected grapes that have been dried in suitable environments; partial dehydration with ventilated air is permitted. Cortona PDO Vin Santo can only be released for consumption after a mandatory ageing period of at least 3 years, commencing December 15th of the year in which the grapes were produced, 3 months of which must be maturing in the bottle; Cortona PDO Vin Santo Riserva can be released for consumption after a mandatory ageing period of 5 years, commencing December 15th of the year in which the grapes were produced, at least 6 months of which must be maturing in the bottle. Cortona PDO Vin Santo Occhio di Pernice can only be released for consumption after a mandatory ageing period of at least 8 years, commencing February 28th of the year following the harvest, 6 months of which must be maturing in the bottle. The vinification processes, including mandatory ageing, the drying of the grapes, mandatory maturing in the bottle and bottling, must be carried out within the territory of the municipality of Cortona.
Grape variety specifications
The Cortona PDO may display the following grape variety specifications. From white grape varieties: min. 85% Chardonnay, Grechetto, Sauvignon, pure or with the addition of similarly-coloured unaromatic grapes originating from other grape varieties suitable for cultivation in the concerned area, max. 15%. From red grape varieties (incl. Riserva): min. 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Sangiovese, pure or with the addition of similarly-coloured unaromatic grapes originating from other grape varieties suitable for cultivation in the concerned area, max. 15%. The characteristics of the colour, fragrances and flavour of each specification are those typical of the grape variety and terroir of origin.
Additional specifications
The Cortona PDO designation can be followed by the specification Vigna (Vineyard) with the relative toponym.
