Description
The Val d’Arbia PDO is reserved for the following types of wine: White, Rosé and Vin Santo. The Designation also incorporates numerous grape variety specifications.
Production Area
The production area of Val d’Arbia PDO is within the entire territory of the municipality of Siena and parts of Castellina in Chianti, Radda in Chianti, Gaiole in Chianti, Monteriggioni, Castelnuovo Berardenga, Sovicille, Asciano, Monteroni d’Arbia, Murlo, Buonconvento in the Province of Siena, in the Tuscany region.
Description of product typologies
Val d’Arbia PDO Bianco is soft straw-yellow with greenish reflections; the nose is delicate with intense fruity notes reminiscent of ripe peach; it is dry and fresh on the palate, with a good sapid finish. Val d’Arbia PDO Rosato is pink with delicate ruby-red hues; the nose reveals fresh and embracing fragrances of cherry, redcurrant, peony and flowering Freesia; the freshness and ample fruity flavour continues on the palate. Val d’Arbia PDO Vin Santo is ambery-yellow, varying in intensity; the aromas on the nose open with notes of raisins and jammy apricot, followed by citrus peel and vanilla; the taste corresponds with the nose, with a sweet, smooth attack, intense flavours and a persistent finish reminiscent of dried fig, honey, jammy apricot and almond. It can display Riserva on the label. Val d’Arbia PDO Vin Santo is produced with traditional vinification methods which involve the grapes being dried naturally in suitable environments; partial dehydration with ventilated air is permitted. The storage and ageing of the wine must take place in special rooms known as Vinsantai, in wooden kegs with a capacity of no more than 2 hectolitres. Val d’Arbia PDO Vin Santo cannot be released for consumption before December 1st of the third year following that in which the grapes were produced; Val d’Arbia PDO Vin Santo Riserva can be released for consumption from December 1st of the fourth year following that in which the grapes were produced.
Grape variety specifications
The Val d’Arbia PDO may display the following grape variety specifications. From white grape varieties: min. 85% Chardonnay, Grechetto, Pinot Bianco, Sauvignon, Trebbiano, Vermentino, 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 Val d’Arbia PDO designation can be followed by the specification Vigna (Vineyard) with the relative toponym. Val d’Arbia PDO Vin Santo wines can indicate Secco (Dry), Abboccato (Medium-Sweet), Amabile (Semi-Sweet) and Dolce (Sweet) on the label.
