Les Crêtes, Valle D’Aosta (Italy) Petite Arvine 2022

 Located Northwest of Piedmont, Valle D’Aosta is Italy’s smallest region with fewer than 2,000 acres spanning just over a dozen towns along the Dora Baltea River.  The valley’s terraces date back to Roman times with vineyards as high as 4,000 feet of altitude.  While Petite Arvine is an indigenous grape to neighboring Switzerland, Les Crêtes is one of the few producers using Petite Arvine in Valle D’Aosta.  The nose is striking, with perfectly ripe notes of stone fruit, melon, yellow apple, juicy peach, acacia, and honeysuckle.  The wine’s structure is balanced between bright acidity and the enriching effects of aging on the spent yeast lees.  Flavors recalling, cream, honeysuckle, stone fruits, honeydew melons, bread dough, and grapefruit are layered and delicious.  My industry friends rave about Les Crêtes, and it is easy to see why once it’s in your glass.