Colline Savonesi IGT (Indicazione Geografica Tipica) is one of a handful of IGT titles used in Liguria, north-western Italy. It covers the province of Savona, whose administrative center is the port of Savona. The epicenter of commercial activity in the province, Savona town is located on the Gulf of Genoa on the Ligurian coast, 25 miles (40km) west of the regional capital, Genoa, and the same distance from the border with France.
The name Colline Savonesi means ‘the hills of Savona’, although in reality the province is covered in its entirety – valleys, plains and mountains included. In the 15th Century, the hills around Savona were home to Christopher Columbus, both before and after his famous voyages of discovery. They mark the transition between the Alps and the Apennines (the mountain chain that forms Italy’s spine and gives it its distinctive boot-like shape. In fact, the Colle di Cadibona – the hill that officially marks the crossover between the two mountain chains – lies a mere 5 miles (9km) north of Savona docks. Just across these hills lie the fabled vineyards of Piedmont; Barolo and Barbaresco are just an hour’s drive to the north-west of Savona.
The vineyards that produce Colline Savonesi wines tend to lie at altitudes between 1300ft and 2300ft (400–700m), on east- and south-east-facing slopes with gradients of between 20% and 50%. Naturally, given the area’s proximity to the Ligurian sea, sandstone and various forms of limestone are common. Turbidite clays (the result of ancient underwater avalanches) are also a feature of the local terroir.
Two grapes, one red, one white, have been singled out for special attention in Colline Savonesi wines and may be used to make varietal wines. Grenache (Granaccia) is the red and Lumassina (known locally as both Buzzetto and Mataosso) is the white.
Lumassina is a local specialty of this area; although thought to have originated around Genoa, it is now grown only in Savona. A typical Colline Savonesi Lumassina wine is relatively low in alcohol (around 10% by volume) and has a refreshing, tangy, green-apple aroma complemented by floral notes. Grenache is a much less obvious inclusion here, given its relative scarcity in Italy. Its presence and favor here are most probably due to Savona’s proximity to the French border and the Grenache-filled vineyards of Provence and the southern Rhône Valley.
Liguria's other provinces also have their own IGT titles. Imperia has Terrazze dell Imperiese IGT, La Spezia has the creatively titled Golfo dei Poeti IGT but the most significant is Genoa's Colline del Genovesato.
