# Rouge de Vallée Red Blend (2024)

- **Producer:** La Kiuva
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Picotendro, Gros Vien, Neyret, Cornalin, Fumin
- **Region:** Valle d’Aosta, Italy
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 13.0%
- **Average price:** €19
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 14–16 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** cherry, raspberry, rose, violet, herbaceous, cedar

## About this wine

Founded in 1975 in the village of Arnad in Valle d'Aosta, La Kíuva is a cooperative winery bringing together around 50 to 60 local family growers. The name Kiuva originates from the local Franco-Provençal dialect, referring to a sheaf of autumnal vine leaves gathered to feed livestock in winter. The cooperative practices heroic mountain viticulture across 15 to 25 hectares of steep terraced slopes situated between 380 and 500 meters above sea level in the high alpine valley.

## Interesting facts

- The name Kiuva comes from the local dialect for a bundle of vine leaves gathered in autumn to feed livestock in winter.
- Picotendro is the local Valle d'Aosta clone of Nebbiolo, creating a lighter, more perfumed alpine style.
- Grown using heroic viticulture on steep terraced slopes at elevations up to 500 meters above sea level.

## Food pairing

The vibrant acidity and fine, soft tannins of this alpine red blend pair seamlessly with rich cured meats such as Lardo d'Arnad and regional soft-to-medium cheeses like Fontina. Its bright red berry and earthy profile also complements mushroom dishes, light game, and pork cuts.

## Wine making process

Harvesting is carried out entirely by hand on steep glacial terraces trained with traditional Pergola and Guyot trellising. The grapes undergo traditional temperature-controlled fermentation and maceration for 10 to 15 days at 28–30°C to gently extract delicate aromatics and silky tannins. The wine is aged for roughly 8 months—two-thirds in stainless steel tanks to retain freshness and one-third in wooden barrels—followed by bottle aging prior to release.