DOC status wines
The origins of viniculture on the island
of Elba go way back into the past. We,
however, shall only consider more recent
years. During the ‘forties and ‘fifties,
the Elban landscape was very different
from today; vineyard terracing covered
the hillsides up to a height of over 300
metres, as in the Marciana district.
Following the advent
and the continual development of tourism,
the number of vineyards has drastically
fallen to the present-day 350 hectares,
of which only 125 have officially registered
DOC status.
Most of the terracing is now overgrown
with scrub and woodland or has been built
on. Vine-growing is now limited to more
specialized, flatter areas of the island
which are easier to cultivate with modern
agricultural systems.
The sector has been
re-qualified mainly by a few well-organized
farm-estates whose aim is to enhance
the quality of vine-growing and wine
production.
Most of the farm-estates have joined together
to form a Co-operative of wineries for
the defence of Elba wine; the Co-operative
was legally founded under law no. 164/92.
The Co-operative represents almost 70%
of the DOC grapes grown and vintaged on
the island (6,991 quintals in 1998, or
4,518 hl) and many other wine-growers will
undoubtedly join the Co-operative in the
near future. Its first important step was
to officially present the “Itinerario
Elba delle Strade del Vino” (The
Elba Wine Route) which has led to the creation
of an itinerary for tourists interested
in food and wine and the countryside in
general. It is connected to a similar Tuscan
itinerary set up by the Costa degli Etruschi
-Wine Route Co-operative to which several
of the Elban estates belong and with which
closer collaboration is proposed for the
future.
Below is
a list of the main wines, together
with their characteristics and suggested
food combinations:
 ELBA
BIANCO
Made from at least 50% Trebbiano Toscano
grapes (known locally as Procanico), and
up to a maximum of 50% Ansonica and Vermentino
grapes, either on their own or combined.
Other white grapes, up to a maximum of
20%.
This pale yellow to dull straw coloured
wine has a delicately perfumed vinous bouquet.
Minimum alcohol content: 11°
Suggested food combinations: hors d’oeuvres
and first courses of fish with white sauces,
steamed fish, etc.
Temperature: Serve at 8 – 10° C.
ELBA ANSONICA
Made from white Ansonica grapes (at least
85%), with the addition of other permitted
grapes.
HA more or less intense straw colour with
golden tones. Characteristic, strong bouquet,
dry to sweet flavour, harmonic.
Minimum alcohol content 11.5°
Suggested food combinations: Scampi, prawns,
shellfish in general with dry version.
Temperature: Serve at 10 – 12° C
ELBA ROSSO
Made from a blend of Sangiovese grapes
(at least 60%) with other permitted
grapes (up to a maximum of 40% red
grapes or 10% white).
This ruby red wine has a vinous, fruity
nose, good body and a dry flavour.
Minimum alcohol content: 11.5°
Suggested food combinations: First courses
with red sauces, fish soups, barbecued
meat.
ELBA ROSSO
RISERVA
This wine is made from the same grapes
used to produce Elba Rosso, but is aged
for a minimum of 24 months, of which at
least 12 months in barrels and 6 in bottles.
A bright ruby red tending towards garnet,
with an intense aroma of red berries and
spices.
Full dry harmonic flavour.
Minimum alcohol content: 12.5°
Suggested food combinations: Roast red
meat, game, mature cheeses.
 ELBA
ROSATO
Made from the same grapes used to produce
Elba Rosso.
Rosé colour of varying intensity,
vinous aroma with a fresh, dry flavour.
Minimum alcohol content: 11°
Suggested food combinations: Fish hors
d’oeuvres with sauce, soups and pasta
dishes with red sauces, vegetable omelettes
and soufflés.
ELBA ALEATICO
Made from 100% carefully selected Aleatico
grapes, dried in the open air.
This wine is an intense dark ruby red,
with a strong aroma of red berry conserves,
suave to sweet taste, full-bodied and harmonic.
Minimum total alcohol content: 16°.
Suggested food combinations: fruit tarts, “schiaccia
Briaca” (typical Elban sweetmeat);
cream-based and soft fruit desserts.
ELBA MOSCATO
Produced from 100% carefully selected Muscat
grapes, dried in the open air.
Intense straw yellow to amber in colour,
strong aroma characteristic of Muscat grapes,
flavour from suave to sweet, soft and velvety.
Minimum total alcohol content: 16°
Suggested food combinations: Fruit tarts.
This wine is for savouring and is a good
accompaniment for baked confectionery and
biscuits.
Temperature: Serve at 12-14° C.
Text
by the Agenzia Turismo per l’Arcipelago
Toscano |
Monday, December 01, 2008
