Petite Arvine and Chardonnay: Valle d'Aosta wines by Les Crêtes

Les Crêtes, the heroic and progressive Valle d'Aosta

Having arrived in Valle d'Aosta from Savoy in the mid-eighteenth century, the Charrère family has always distinguished itself through its industrious and forward-thinking spirit, engaging in various agricultural activities and contributing to the history and evolution of viticulture in the region. This goal has always been pursued with the utmost respect for the territory and through the continuous improvement of its products – so much so that Les Crêtes is today an indispensable point of reference for viticulture in the Valle.

The Les Crêtes winery is located at the foot of Mont Blanc near the municipality of Aymaville, in a typically alpine environment characterized by terraced vineyards, steep slopes, and overall viticultural conditions described as "heroic." The climate is continental, with short, warm summers and significant thermal variations between summer and winter and between night and day, all to the benefit of the development of aromatic precursors in the grapes. The climate is generally dry and breezy, with rainfall among the lowest in Europe. For these reasons, the vineyards of Valle d'Aosta rarely suffer from mold attacks that typically form with humidity.

Costantino Charrère, the founder of the current winery during the 1980s, has always been a trendsetter and an example to follow both in vineyard management and in cellar operations. First with the recovery of some ancient local grape varieties at risk of extinction, such as Prëmetta and Fumin, or with the enhancement of traditional varieties like Petite Arvine. Then through the management of vineyards characterized by high vine density per hectare and the planting of new vineyards in other municipalities of the Valle (Aosta, Gressan, Saint Christophe, Saint Pierre and Sarre), often under extreme conditions, always at altitudes between 600 and 1000 meters above sea level. Finally, by ensuring that terroirs were preserved as much as possible and defending the beauty and integrity of the landscape – the typical principles of winegrower associations (Fivi, Cevi) in which Costantino has also held representative roles.

The philosophy of the winery is fully revealed through the virtuous journey of vineyard conversion. The gradual abandonment of herbicides, the uninterrupted reduction in the use of pesticides, and the consequent revitalization of the soil are the foundation of vineyard balance according to the principles of organic viticulture. The winery thus manages around twenty hectares of vineyards sustainably, making the most of its diverse terroirs. Another distinguishing element of Les Crêtes is its innovative winery designed for low landscape and environmental impact, achieved through substantial investments in renewable energy sources. The winery is equipped with photovoltaic panels, enabling the production and consumption of green energy.

One final note before tasting the Petite Arvine and the Chardonnay – both from 2015 – concerns the bottling of young and aromatic wines using the Stelvin closure. This screw cap has now reached levels of absolute technical excellence. It is an organoleptically neutral closure that allows the integrity of the wine to be fully preserved. At the same time, it enables perfect conservation and even a certain degree of tertiary development, thanks to a special tin alloy liner that traps a bubble of nitrogen. This gas, inert by excellence, does not chemically react with any element. In this way, the wine and its aromas are perfectly protected from external agents, including the closure itself, should a cork prove defective. Upon opening the bottle, in contact with oxygen, the wine is thus free to release its full fragrance.

Let us now turn to the wines:

Vallée d'Aoste Petite Arvine 2015

Beautiful bright straw yellow. On the nose we discover a refined olfactory spectrum with pleasant fruity sensations that blend perfectly with distinct notes of rose and aromatic herbs. These give way to beguiling vegetal hints of rhubarb, lily of the valley, and wildflowers. A vibrant palate that strikes with its evident fresh-savory backbone prevailing over softness, with a mineral finish that is flavorful and persistent. The wine is aged in stainless steel for three months before bottling.

Vallée d'Aoste Chardonnay 2015

Deep straw yellow in color, the wine is characterized by an intense and complex bouquet. Prominent notes of exotic fruit such as pineapple, grapefruit, followed by delicate suggestions of thyme, honey, orange blossom, and broom, with mineral sensations in the background. On the palate, we immediately notice a good balance between hard and soft components, with a pleasant freshness and a long savory finish, lightly almond-tinged. This wine also rests for three months in stainless steel.

Mountain wines of quality, a remarkable example of heroic viticulture. But they are at the same time wines of progress, crafted with the utmost respect for the environment and the territory. A magnificent example to follow, not only in Valle d'Aosta.