Liguria

Liguria is a strip of land between the mountains and the sea, and the space for vineyards is restricted. And yet, vineyards have always been a feature of the Ligurian landscape. Production is, of course, limited in numbers, but not in quality. It is almost always made by small wineries, cultivating native grape varieties and constructing vineyards in such arduous conditions that sometimes heroic feats are required. In the western part of the region (Ponente) between Ventimiglia and Sanremo, on inland hills around 500-600 m high, the grape variety Rossese is cultivated for the making of Rossese di Dolceacqua DOC, a fruity, spicy wine with enough tannins and acidity to allow it to evolve over time. Another typical red wine from a small area in the west is Ormeasco di Pornassio DOC, made from the Ormeasco grape variety (another name for Dolcetto). This is a medium-bodied, fruity, floral wine with a characteristic almond finish. Riviera Ligure di Ponente DOC wines come from the provinces of Imperia and Savona and are both red and white; but the two most common types are Pigato and Vermentino. Pigato is a white grape variety similar to Vermentino. In the province of Genoa, white grape varieties grown are Vermentino, Bianchetta and the characteristic Albarola; the reds are few, and are obtained from Sangiovese, Ciliegiolo, Dolcetto and Barbera.

The Cinqueterre DOC wines come from the terraced vineyards overlooking the characteristic fishing five villages, where, due to the steep slopes, the harvest often has to be carried out with the aid of a monorail. The wines are white, dry with good acidity and fruity, citrusy and herbaceous aromas, obtained from the Bosco, Vermentino and Albarola grape varieties. The most precious of all is a sweet white raisin wine: Cinqueterre Sciacchetrà DOC, which is very rare and extremely delicious. On the border with Tuscany, Colli di Luni DOC wines are often blends of Vermentino and Trebbiano, if white, and Sangiovese, Canaiolo and Ciliegiolo, if red. Of note is the monovarietal wine Colli di Luni DOC Vermentino.