Riviera Ligure di Ponente is a DOC in Liguria, covering the northwest Italian coast from the border of France to the city of Genoa. While a range of grape varieties and wine styles are covered by the DOC, the region's specialty is easily crisp, characterful white wines made from Pigato – the local name for Vermentino.
The DOC covers land in the provinces of Imperia, Savona and Genoa, where the Alps meet the Mediterranean. The land here is rugged and mountainous, and most vineyards are located on terraced hillsides above the region's myriad rivers and valleys. It is a far cry from the gentle hills of Piedmont to the north, and is perhaps closer geologically to the Provence region of France. This is reflected in the grape varieties: Pigato and the red Rossese are both planted in Provence, but under the names Rolle and Tibouren respectively.
The terroir here, perhaps not surprisingly, is influenced by both altitude and the proximity to the Mediterranean coast. Most vineyards are within 20 miles (30km) of the sea and, even if there is no direct view of the coast, salty winds and moderating influences still find their way in. Despite this close proximity, vineyards can reach as high as 2600ft (800m) above sea level, providing some clue as to the dramatic nature of the landscape. In practice, most vineyards sit at around 1000ft (300m), where they can benefit from both the sunny Mediterranean warmth and cooler evenings. Pignato is particularly noted for its retention of acidity even in hot, sunny places, making it perfectly suited to this landscape. Rossese and Grenache also suit these growing conditions, making concentrated but bright wines.
The soils are distinctly alpine, made up of limestone and lacking in both nutrients and water. Clay, sand and gravel can be found throughout the region, which is far from homogenous when it comes to soils. The free-draining hillside vineyards with poor topsoils are good for both Pigato and Rossese, as they limit the vines' vigor and encourage the growth of concentrated berries.
The Riviera Ligure di Ponente DOC allows for a range of wine styles, including sweet passito and lightly sparkling frizzante versions. Wines are labeled varietally, and Moscato and Grenache (here known as Granaccia) join Pigato and Rossese in the vineyards. There is a superiore designation under the DOC law as well, for wines which are made to a slightly higher level of quality than the standard Riviera Ligure di Ponente DOC wines.
