Enfer d'Arvier is a minuscule sub-zone of the Valle d'Aosta of northwestern Italy, nestled amongst the Italian Alps. Just 12 acres (5 ha) of vines are grown on the steep, south-facing slopes above the river Dora Baltea, producing an intense, rustic red wine from the Petit Rouge grape variety.
The subzone is one of the westernmost in the Valle d'Aosta, surrounding the town of Arvier just 16 miles (25km) from Mont Blanc on the border of France. Here, the mountains rise sharply from the river valley, and the vineyards benefit from shelter and a concentration of light that makes the area particularly hot during summer days. The intense heat of the growing season inspires the region’s name: Enfer being the French word for hell.
However, as the vineyards in Arvier sit at high altitudes of up to 3000ft (900m) above sea level, these hot days with high solar intensity cool quickly at night during the growing season. Soils in the area – predominantly sandy loam from glacial origins – store warmth during hot days, reflecting it back on the vines at night. This creates a microclimate in the canopy that encourages ripening, leading to the development of rich fruit flavor and concentration.
Petit Rouge is the main grape variety planted in Enfer d'Arvier vineyards, and must make up at least 85 percent of the blend under the Valle d'Aosta DOC laws. The remainder of the wine may be made up from any other red grape varieties permitted in the Valle d'Aosta, which could include Dolcetto, Fumin or Nebbiolo (here called Picotendro). The entry-level wine must be aged for five months before release, while the superiore offering must be aged for eight months, resulting in a more rounded wine with greater depth and structure.
The steep mountain topography of Enfer d'Arvier means that only a tiny portion of land is available for winegrowing. As such, only a small amount of wine is made here and the Valle d'Aosta's thriving tourism industry provides a steady stream of curious wine lovers. Therefore, very little Enfer d'Arvier wine is found for sale outside of the valley itself.
