Liguria

This region in Italy (Ital.: Liguria) has a vineyard area of only 4.837 hectares, making it the second-smallest region in Italy after the Aosta valley. It is kidney-shaped, and lies along the Gulf of Genoa. The coast of the Riviera di Levante and Riviera di Ponente stretches for some 350 kilometres from the French border in the west to the northern limits of Tuscany. The countryside is mostly stark and stony, and difficult to cultivate, vineyards have to be carved from the soil with great effort. However, the regional capital of Genoa was an important port in ancient times, and in medieval times it was the second-most important port and trading centre for the wine trade after Venice. The Greek historian Strabo (63 BC-28 AD) was one of the first to praise the wines of Liguria. The famous medical doctor and natural scientist Andrea Bacci (1521-1590) wrote enthusiastically „that the wines of Liguria could even bring stones to flower“. Today, Liguria tends to trade on its ancient wine history. The vineyards, many of which are terraced, and have been carved out of the rock on steep slopes with a great deal of effort, are to be found mainly in the Arroscia valley in the west and in the Miagra valley in the south-east. A dry Mediterranean climate predominates, the Ligurian Alps and the Apennines, which reach a height of 2.500 metres, provide protection from cold winds, while the ocean stores the heat of the sun. The reddish, limestone-rich soil found all along the coast is very well suited for white varieties such as Albarola, Bianchetta Genovese, Bosco, Lumassina, Pigato and Vermentino. The most widely planted red varieties are Granaccia (Grenache Noir), Ormeasco (Dolcetto), Polera Nera, Rossese and Sangiovese. More than 100 indigenous grape varieties are still in existence, many of which cover only a few hectares, and most of which are permitted varieties. The DOC zones are:

* Cinqueterre mit Cinqueterre Sciacchetrà
* Colli di Luni (also in Tuscany)
* Colline di Levanto
* Golfo del Tigullio
* Riviera Ligure di Ponente
* Rossese di Dolceacqua
* Val Polcèvera