Description
The Riviera Ligure di Ponente PDO is reserved for the following types of wine: White, Red, White Passito, Red Passito and Late Harvest (only with specification of grape variety). The Designation also incorporates numerous grape variety and geographical specifications.
Production Area
The production area of Riviera Ligure di Ponente PDO is within the territory of numerous municipalities in the provinces of Imperia, Savona and Genoa, in the Liguria region.
Description of product typologies
The organoleptic properties of Riviera Ligure di Ponente PDO wines with specification of grape variety are typical of the grapes and terroir of origin.
Geographical and sub-area specifications
The Riviera Ligure di Ponente PDO can be accompanied by five geographical sub-designations: Riviera Ligure di Ponente PDO Riviera dei Fiori, reserved for wines specifying Pigato, Rossese and Vermentino grape varieties, produced within the Province of Imperia from grapes that are typical of the terroir of origin; Riviera Ligure di Ponente PDO Albenganese, reserved for wines specifying Pigato, Rossese and Vermentino grape varieties, produced in parts of the Province of Savona from grapes that are typical of the terroir of origin; Riviera Ligure di Ponente PDO Finalese, reserved for wines specifying Pigato, Rossese and Vermentino grape varieties, produced in parts of the Province of Savona from grapes that are typical of the terroir of origin; Riviera Ligure di Ponente PDO Quiliano, reserved for wines specifying the Granaccia grape variety, produced in the municipalities of Savona, Quiliano and Vado Ligure in the Province of Savona, from grapes that are typical of the terroir of origin; Riviera Ligure di Ponente PDO Taggia, reserved for wines specifying the Moscatello grape variety, including semi-sparkling, Late Harvest and Passito wines, produced within the territory of numerous municipalities in the Province of Imperia, from grapes that are typical of the terroir of origin.
Grape variety specifications
The Riviera Ligure di Ponente PDO may display the following grape variety specifications. From white grape varieties: min. 95% Pigato (incl. Superiore, Passito), pure or with the addition of similarly-coloured unaromatic grapes originating from other grape varieties suitable for cultivation in the concerned area, max. 5%; min. 95% Vermentino (incl. Superiore, Passito), pure or with the addition of similarly-coloured unaromatic grapes originating from other grape varieties suitable for cultivation in the concerned area, max. 5%; 100% Moscato Bianco (incl. Semi-Sparkling, Passito, Vendemmia Tardiva). From red grape varieties: min. 90% Granaccia (Alicante), including Superiore and Passito, pure or with the addition of similarly-coloured unaromatic grapes originating from other grape varieties suitable for cultivation in the concerned area, max. 10%; min. 90% Rossese (incl. Passito), pure or with the addition of similarly-coloured unaromatic grapes originating from other grape varieties suitable for cultivation in the concerned area, max. 10%. Riviera Ligure di Ponente PDO Pigato ranges from pale straw-yellow to straw-yellow, with reflections tending towards golden- yellow; the nose is ample, fruity and persistent, with dense sensations of ripe peach, honey, fresh wild flowers and sage, and slight hints of moss and woody resins; it is dry yet smooth on the palate, delicately warm and sapid, with good body. It can also be produced as Passito wine and display Superiore on the label. Riviera Ligure di Ponente PDO Vermentino is pale straw-yellow; the nose is fairly intense and persistent, revealing notes of freshly cut grass and wild flowers, and traces of acacia honey, woody resins and yellow peach; it is dry yet delicately smooth on the palate, sapid, with a bitter background. It can also be produced as Passito wine and display Superiore on the label. Riviera Ligure di Ponente PDO Moscato is straw-yellow, varying in intensity; the nose is intense and embracing, revealing fruity notes of almond, peach and citron; it is dry, intense and slightly bitter on the palate, with a strong almondy aftertaste. It can also be produced as a semi-sparkling, Passito or Late Harvest wine. Riviera Ligure di Ponente PDO Granaccia is ruby red, varying in intensity; the nose is moderately persistent, with hints of small berries, resin, iris and a faint aroma of magnolia; it is dry and pleasant on the palate and medium-bodied. It can also be produced as Passito wine and display Superiore on the label. Riviera Ligure di Ponente PDO Rossese is red, varying in intensity and at times with orange reflections; the nose reveals aromas reminiscent of brushwood; it is smooth, delicate and bitter on the palate, with medium-structure and tannicity. It can also be produced as Passito wine. Grapes destined for the production of Riviera Ligure di Ponente PDO Passito wines must have been dried naturally on the vines or on trellises in suitable environments; the use of artificially heated air is not permitted. Riviera Ligure di Ponente PDO Superiore, Riviera Ligure di Ponente PDO Moscato Vendemmia Tardiva and Riviera Ligure di Ponente PDO Passito wines cannot be released for consumption before November 1st of the year following that of the grape harvest. Superiore and Passito wines can be matured in wooden barrels.
