Camonica Valley, my land!

My Valley and the wine production:

(source CERVIM) "Vines were grown in Valcamonica in Roman times, but it was overall from the late Middle Ages onward (from 1001 to 1321) that the foundations were laid for the highly specialized viticulture that we know today. Many documents from that period testify to the economic importance of vine-growing.

In the 16th century, thanks to Venetian rule, wine-growing developed considerably, but toward the end of the century vines were struck by blight and the area cultivated was reduced. Also in the 18th century, there was a serious crisis due to adverse weather conditions. In the next century, after overcoming the problem of diseases imported from overseas, viticulture in Valcamonica started to expand, reaching 2,000 ha in 1970, after which it shrank again to the roughly 140 hectares we can see today."

find more details on this link! http://www.cervim.org/en/valcamonica.aspx

Most of the Valcamonica wines are made following the rules of the "Valcamonica Igt" appellation. Igt could be translated in "Typical Geographic appellation" and represents the third level of the italian classification. Basically "Valcamonica Igt" can be white, red and "passito". Whites wines are made with Incrocio Manzoni and Riesling, the reds are made with Merlot and Marzemino grapes.

In 2003 most of the winery joined together in an association named "CONSORZIO VINI VALLECAMONICA" (see link below) built in order to promote and defend the "Valcamonica igt" appellation.

There are some other variety planted in the Valcamonica, like Nebbiolo, Cabernet, Chardonnay... in this case the wine has not a special appellation on the label, but it is just considered a generic wine (keep in mind! that thing do not means anithing about its quality!)

tourist infos here: http://www.turismovallecamonica.it/it

consortium for the protection of the appellation: http://www.consorziovinivallecamonica.it/