Sforzato di Valtellina DOCG

Facts about this wine

Wine: Red wine
Taste: Semi dry
Volume: Strong
Min. alcohol: 14%
Mandatory Storage: Min. 20 mos.
Storage potential: 10 years

The climate around Lake Como creates the perfect environment for this red wine’s grapes, which are cultivated in the Ardenno commune, on the eastern bank of the Adda River, along with vineyards in the Villa di Tirano and Albosaggia communes on the western bank. Como’s stable, mild and temperate climate causes the grapes to mature a little less than a week before the ones in the east, but the eastern vineyards’ location gives their grapes a thicker skin, and thus a higher tannic acid content.

You might not have heard of the main grape, Chiavennasca. But then again, maybe you have. A bit farther east, in the Piemonte region, the grape is called Nebbiolo, where it’s used in Barolo and Barbaresco. In Valtellina Superiore, it must make up a minimum 90%, but additional local, non-aromatic red grapes may also be added (0-10%).

Even though there’s a significant difference in the vinification of these two red wines, the grape composition is the same as in its cousin, Valtellina Superiore DOCG.

In the case of Sforzato di Valtellina DOCG, the grapes are partially dried prior to pressing in order to obtain the required 14% alcohol content, and in this regard Valtellina’s drier and cooler winter months are quite important. The process is reminiscent of what we know of Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG in Veneto, and the wine is therefore a so-called Passito type. Grapes from the eastern vineyards are the most often selected, since these regions are best suited for the drying process, which must last a minimum of 110 days. Appropriately, ”sforzato” means "forced" or "strained".

Sforzato di Valtellina DOCG (or locally, Sfurzàt di Valtellina DOCG) has a full body, an intense ruby red color and a taste that gets more round and fragrant after 4-5 years. At the same time, the wine takes on a more garnet red color. The bouquet is intense and reminiscent of harvested fruit, and the aroma is very significant. The taste is exceedingly smooth and structured, and of its own, unique character, often with a hint of wood.

Mandatory aging is 20 months, of which a minimum of 12 months must be in the barrel, calculated from April 1 of the year after the harvest. The shelf life is up to a decade or more, and several experts consider it to be the best red wine in the Valtellina area.

After it’s been kept for at least three years, Sforzato di Valtellina DOCG is excellent with game, roast, aged cheese or for quiet moments in front of the fireplace (if you have one).