Chiavennasca

Chiavennasca is the local name for the Nebbiolo grape variety grown in the Valtellina region of Lombardy, Italy. This name is primarily used in the Valtellina and Valchiavenna valleys. Nebbiolo is renowned for its ability to produce complex and age-worthy red wines, and Chiavennasca is no exception.

The grapes are characterized by thick skins and are late-ripening, requiring specific microclimates to achieve full maturity. Valtellina's steep, terraced vineyards, often facing south, provide the necessary warmth and sunlight. The wines produced from Chiavennasca are typically pale to medium garnet in color, with high acidity and firm tannins.

Aromatically, Chiavennasca wines often exhibit notes of cherry, raspberry, rose, violet, and tar, with secondary characteristics developing with age, such as leather, tobacco, and earthy undertones. The wines can be powerful and austere when young, but they possess excellent aging potential, evolving gracefully over decades.

Chiavennasca is the sole red grape permitted in the Valtellina DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita) wines, including Sforzato di Valtellina, which is a more concentrated style made from dried grapes. The wines are a significant part of the viticultural heritage of the region.