Enoteca Regionale della Liguria (that is the Regional Wine Shop of Liguria) was established in order to promote and give value to regional wines, mainly DOP and IGP wines of Liguria, and with particular attention to the ones produced with organic and integrated farming methods:
Enoteca Regionale della Liguria carries out its activity of promotion and communication in the regional, national and international field.
In the wine growing region of Genova (Genoa) the wines belong to the DOP: Val Polcevera and Golfo del Tigullio-Portofino, using mainly the Bianchetta Genovese, Vermentino, Scimiscià, Moscato and Ciliegiolo grapes.
The area of the DOP Val Polcevera is in the northwestern part of the province of Genova, including a portion of the city itself, with which shares strong cultural and historic links, and its inland areas; the vineyards are mostly located on the hills and are of limited extension. The wines are distinctly acidic, with lively colours, delicate aromas mostly fruity, flavoury taste. Styles: White (Vermentino-Bianchetta), Bianchetta Genovese (min 85%), Vermentino (min 85%), Coronata (Vermentino-Bianchetta), Red and rosè (Ciliegiolo-Dolcetto).
The area of the DOP Golfo del Tigullio-Portofino is in the eastern part of the province of Genova and it is quite wide, including almost all the municipalities of the province with the exception of Genova and its northern suburbs. Here the wines have low acidity, fairly intense and lively colours, delicate but persistent aromas, balanced taste. Styles: White (Vermentino-Bianchetta), Bianchetta Genovese (min 85%), Vermentino (min 85%), Scimiscià o Cimixa (min 85%), Moscato (min 85%), Red and rosè (Ciliegiolo-Dolcetto), Ciliegiolo (min 85%), Passito.
In the wine growing region of La Spezia the wines belong to the DOP: Colli di Luni, Cinque Terre and Colline di Levanto, mainly with the use of Vermentino, Albarola, Bosco, Ciliegiolo and Sangiovese grapes.
Colli di Luni is a inter-regional dop between Liguria and Tuscany and it is named after an area where the Roman town of Luni, founded l the year 177 used to be. The wines of this area have good structure, the whites are fresh but soft, the reds are warm with a good body. Styles: White (Vermentino-Trebbiano), Vermentino (min 90%), Albarola (min 85%), Red (Sangiovese-Canaiolo-Pollera).
The area of the DOP Cinque Terre, a UNESCO World Heritage site, has spectacular terraced vineyards, small sized on steep high hills directly overlooking the sea. The wines from this area are savoury and fresh, with flavours hinting at sea and lemon flowers. Widely appreciated for its unique ness is the Sciacchetrà, a sweet passito wine produced in limited quantities. Styles: White (Bosco-Vermentino-Albarola), Sciacchetrà and Sciacchetrà Riserva.
The same grapes with the same qualities are found in the Colline di Levanto DOP. Here the wines have intense aromas, flavoury at paiate with a slight finish of almond. Styles: White (Vermentino-Albarola-Bosco), Vermentino (min 85%), Red (Sangiovese-Ciliegiolo).
In the wine growing region of Savona the wines belong to the DOP: Riviera Ligure di Ponente, using mainly the Pigato, Vermentino, Moscato, Rossese and Granaccia grapes.
The area of the DOP Riviera Ligure di Ponente belongs to 3 different provinces (Genova, Savona and Imperia) with vineyards located in the hilly lands facing the Mediterranean Sea and protected on the North side by the western most part of the Alps, in narrow valleys and steepslopes.
The wine trade in the Ligurian Riviera is historically certified by documents of the Republic of Genova, shipments by sea to Nice and Rome and by land to the rest of Europe. Infact in the areas of Imperia and Savona the Pigato, Rossese, Vermentino, Moscato and Granaccia grapes have been grown for centuries.
These are grape varieties representing very well Liguria. They produce white wines with Mediterranean aromas, elegant, well-structured reds, both with very strong ties to the territory. Styles: Pigato (min 95%), Moscato (100%), Vermentino (min 95%), Granaccia (min 90%), Rossese (min 95%). The Rossese grape variety of this appellation is the Rossese di Campochiesa, the Quiliano sub-area is for the Granaccia grape variety.
The Moscatello di Taggia, wine very well known and appreciated by the European courts and by the Pope from the Medieval to the Renaissance times. Afterwords it almost disappeared but after a 10-year long search is now back with this denomination and the Moscatello nome for the sub-area of Taggia.
In the wine growing region of Imperia the wines belong to the DOP: Riviera Ligure di Ponente, Rossese di Dolceacqua and Ormeasco di Pornassio, using mainly the Pigato, Vermentino, Moscato, Rossese, Granaccia and Ormeasco grapes.
The area ofthe DOP Rossese di Dolceacqua belongs to the province of Imperia, in the village of Dolceacqua and borde ring villages. The Rossese grape is local and exclusive of this area, has a strong historic and cultural link with the territory.
The w1nes are refined and elegant, complex and with generous structure. Styles: Rossese di Dolceacqua (min 95%), Rossese di Dolceacqua Superiore.
The area ofthe DOP Ormeasco di Pornassio includes part of the villages in the upper Valle Arroscia, with vineyards located mostly inland on terraced slopes. For about one thousand years Ormeasco has been the main character in the history of this land and the wines have good acidity, bright colours, delicate aromas, persistent and balanced taste. Styles: Ormeasco di Pornassio (min 95%), Ormeasco di Pornassio Superiore, Ormeasco di Pornassio Sciac-trà.
The grapes of the DOP Riviera di Ponente produce white wines with Mediterranean aromas, elegant, well-structured reds, both with very strong ties to the territory. Styles: Pigato (min 95%), Moscato (min 100%), Vermentino (min 95%), Granaccia (min 90%), Rossese (min 95%). The Rossese grape variety of this appellation is the Rossese di Campochiesa, the Quiliano sub-area is for the Granaccia grape variety.
The Moscatello di Taggia, wine very well known and appreciated by the European courts and by the Pope from the Medieval to the Renaissance times. Afterwords it almost disappeared but after a 10-year long search is now back with this denomination and the Moscatello nome for the sub-area of Taggia.
The IGPs identify wider wine growing areas compared to those of the DOPs, allow for the indication on the label of the vintage and/or of the grape variety, have simpler official registrations of the vineyards and rules and regulations.
The wine growing region of the grapes for the IGP Liguria di Levante includes the vineyards located in the enti re province of La Spezia. The wines of the area can be Whites, Reds, Rosé an d Passito, with the possibility of indicating the grape variety (min. 85%) on the label: Malvasia bianca lunga, Trebbiano toscano, Canaiolo, Ciliegiolo, Merlot, Pollera Nera, Sangiovese, Sirah.
The production area of the IGP Colline del Genovesato, includes the whole territory of the province of Genova that is also DOP territory:Western Ligurian Riviera (the cities of Arenzano and Cogoleto), the Gulf of Tigullio and the Val Polcevera. The IGP wines Colline delGenovesato with the indication of o ne of the grape varieties must be obtained from the corresponding grape varieties for a minimum of 85%.
The wine growing region of the grapes for the IGP Colline Savonesi includes the hilly area of the province of Savona. The IGP Colline Savonesi with the specification of one of the following grapes, Alicante (also called Granaccia), Lumassina (also known as Buzzetto or Mataosso) is reserved for wines obtained by grapes originated at least 85% from the corresponding grape variety.
The area of the IGP Terrazze dell’Imperiese includes the whole territory of the province of lmperia. The wine making process, including the bottling and aging of the wines must be done within the territory of the province of Imperia, with the only exception being the historic cellars located in Savona.
The leading elements in Ligurian viticulture are connected mostly to the geomorphological structure of the region, and also to the stubbornness of the people living there, who never ceased to believe in itspotential.
The combination between both environmental and human elements and the presence of a large range of native wine grapes varieties resulting in a highquality whilst very small production, makes viticulture in Liguria a niche job; for all these reasons it arouses interest and curiosity in Italy, Europe as well asoverseas and worldwide countries, where this little region is for the most part completely unknown. In fact, most local companies are fairly too small for the exportation market, but their part in the productive process is vital for this territory.
Believing and keeping on trusting native wine grapes varieties, stated on the wine denomination labels, has been paying back the producers; as a demonstration of the great connection with the viticulturaland historical heritage, in the whole Ligurian region there are no international varieties.
There are so many mentions and descriptions of this rough land with its narrow valleys and steep hills. It offers picturesque bits and unforgettable sceneries with boroughs and castles on the top of almost every hill, churches and mansions;your eyes can reach the sea from any place around here. Olive groves and vineyards are a predominant feature of this territory, which was clearly shaped to cradle thistype of cultivations by manifacturing the typical drywall terracing landscape. The drywall terracing system in the Cinque Terre with its wine-growing dedicated zones is by far the most famous, and also an Unesco World Heritage Site. The hills in the Cinque Terre have such a harsh slope gradient and the actual space for the vine plantsto grow is so narrow that they tend to stay very low to seek shelter from the wind and the sun, shaping the hilltops into one single breathtaking horizon, in line with the sea.
Mantaining such a challenging territory is a heavy task and just to get an idea of the amount of time and efforts, some academics say that building those drywalls throughout the years along the 15 Km length of the Ligurian coastline, would not only equalbut easily quadruplicate the extent of the Great Chinese wall. Liguria has a fairly limited amount of space devoted to viticulture, it is a hill-based viticulture for the main reason thatits composition is 65% mountain and 35% hill, despite the common belief that Liguria has a more marine vocation.
Hills and mountains in Liguria often rise directly from the coastline, where the sand and gravel drift deposits have created a more that perfect ground for the wine-growing farming. Mountainous reliefs alternatewith valleys, where watercourses usually have a decent slope and the streams convey debris all along the way, to all effects making the ground fertile. Although the setup may change a little from area to area, vineyards have essentially a East- South East facing, ranging from the 200/300 meters above sea level in the eastern Riviera up to 500 meters a.s.l. in Val Polcevera where the Ormeasco of Pornassio and Rossese of Dolceacqua varieties are grown, ending with an altitude of 700 meters a.s.l. in the Cinque Terre.
In the Cinque Terre and more generally in Liguria, the average slope can reach the 50% mark, with the only exception of the Luni (La Spezia) territory. Vineyards on the eastern side (for example the city of Levanto and the Cinque Terre) are set within a 4 or 5 km distance range from the sea, while on the west of Liguria,places like Valle Arroscia are up to 30 km far from the coast.
Last modified: 27 Jan 2022
This page is managed directly by the exhibitor and Slow Food does not take responsibility for the content herein. Report page
