Description
The Val d’Arno di Sopra PDO or Valdarno di Sopra PDO is reserved for the following types of wine: White, Red, Rosé, Spumante, Rosé Spumante and Passito, Late Harvest (only with geographical specification). The Designation also incorporates numerous grape variety and geographical specifications.
Production Area
The production area of Val d’Arno di Sopra PDO or Valdarno di Sopra PDO is within the territory of the municipalities of Cavriglia, Montevarchi, Bucine, Pergine Valdarno, Civitella in Val di Chiana, Pian di Scò, Castelfranco di Sopra, Terranuova Bracciolini, Loro Ciuffenna, San Giovanni Valdarno, Castiglion Fibocchi and Laterina in the Province of Arezzo, in the Tuscany region.
Description of product typologies
Val d’Arno di Sopra PDO or Valdarno di Sopra PDO Bianco is straw-yellow; the nose is reminiscent of ripe, white fleshy fruit and peach, with faint hints of tropical fruit; it is warm and embracing on the palate, with a harmonious note of freshness. Val d’Arno di Sopra PDO or Valdarno di Sopra PDO Rosso is intense ruby red; the nose bursts with fruity notes of ripe blackberry, liqueur fruit and chocolate; it displays a warm fruity vein on the palate, accompanied by decisive tones and significant tannin. It can display Riserva on the label if the wine has been aged in wood for a minimum period of 6 months. Val d’Arno di Sopra PDO or Valdarno di Sopra PDO Rosato ranges from soft to intense pink; the nose is fine with delicate hints of small berries and roses; it is fresh, fruity, harmonious and dry on the palate. Val d’Arno di Sopra PDO or Valdarno di Sopra PDO Spumante di Qualità is straw-yellow, varying in intensity, and has fine, persistent foam; the nose displays fragrances of vanilla, dried fruit and white flowers, which blend together and persist in a harmonious, almondy finish; the flavour ranges from extra-brut to demi-sec, with agreeable aromas of white-skinned fruit. Val d’Arno di Sopra PDO or Valdarno di Sopra PDO Spumante Rosé di Qualità varies from light to intense pink and has soft, persistent foam; the nose is delicate, fresh and lively, with a range of fragrances from rose to pomegranate; the flavour ranges from extra-brut to demi-sec, with lively and continuous aromas of red fruit. The organoleptic properties of Val d’Arno di Sopra PDO or Valdarno di Sopra PDO Vendemmia Tardiva wines with a geographical specification are typical of the grapes and terroir of origin. Val d’Arno di Sopra PDO or Valdarno di Sopra PDO Passito ranges from intense straw-yellow to amber-yellow; the nose reveals hints of raisin, dried figs and apricot jam, complimented by citrusy notes of lemon peel; spicy notes of sandal and vanilla develop on the palate, creating a full-bodied taste with intense flavours. Val d’Arno di Sopra PDO or Valdarno di Sopra PDO Bianco and Val d’Arno di Sopra PDO or Valdarno di Sopra PDO Rosato wines can only be released for consumption from February 1st of the year following that of the grape harvest; Val d’Arno di Sopra PDO or Valdarno di Sopra PDO Rosso wines cannot be released for consumption before March 31st of the year following that of the grape harvest. Val d’Arno di Sopra PDO or Valdarno di Sopra PDO Rosso Riserva wines can only be released for consumption 24 months after the end of the harvest, and only after they have been aged in wood for 6 months; the ageing period commences November 1st of the year of the grape harvest. Passito wines cannot be released for consumption before November 1st of the year following that of the grape harvest.
Geographical and sub-area specifications
The Val d’Arno di Sopra PDO or Valdarno di Sopra PDO can be accompanied by two geographical sub-designations: Val d’Arno di Sopra PDO or Valdarno di Sopra PDO Pietraviva, reserved for White, Red and Late Harvest wines, with or without specification of grape variety, produced within the territory of the municipalities of Cavriglia, Montevarchi, Bucine, San Giovanni Valdarno, Pergine Valdarno and Civitella in Val di Chiana with typical grapes from the terroir of origin; Val d’Arno di Sopra PDO or Valdarno di Sopra PDO Pratomagno, reserved for White, Red and Late Harvest wines, with or without specification of grape variety, produced within the territory of the municipalities of Pian di Scò, Castelfranco di Sopra, Terranuova Bracciolini, Loro Ciuffenna, Castiglion Fibocchi and Laterina with typical grapes from the terroir of origin.
Grape variety specifications
The Val d’Arno di Sopra PDO or Valdarno di Sopra PDO may display the following grape variety specifications. From white grape varieties: min. 85% Chardonnay, Sauvignon, pure or with the addition of similarly-coloured grapes originating from other grape varieties suitable for cultivation in the concerned area, max. 15%. From red grape varieties: min. 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Syrah, Sangiovese, pure or with the addition of similarly-coloured 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’Arno di Sopra PDO or Valdarno di Sopra PDO designation can be followed by the specification Vigna (Vineyard) with the relative toponym.
