Danilo Thomain

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Danilo Thomain 2022 Enfer d'Arvier, Vallee d'Aoste DOC

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Home of the second highest wine producing zone in the valley, the the Enfer d’Arvier is a splendorous amphitheater of steeply terraced vines overlooking the Dora Baltea/Doire Baltée River below. The shape of this “bowl” of vineyards effectively concentrates the heat of the sun, thus giving birth to the “hell of Arvier” moniker. Despite the heat, Enfer d’Arvier wines are refreshingly low in alcohol (about 12%). There is a huge diurnal shift between Enfer d’Arvier’s scorching days and chilly nights, which expresses itself in a palate tug-of-war between bright acidity and thick, luscious fruit. They’re also velvety and full of peppery, berry-ripe flavor from an unusual blend of grapes.

Danilo Thomain is the only independent vigneron working this tiny appellation only 5 hectares in size. The Thomain family works one hectare of vineyards here in the shadow of Mont Blanc. Amazingly, he is currently clearing and de-foresting another hectare’s worth of hillside above his current holdings in order to expand production, thereby reclaiming some of the long-unused but prime terrain whose viticulture records date back to the 13th century.