Valsusa is a red-wine DOC of the Piedmont region in north-western Italy. It was one of a raft of new DOCs created for Piedmont in the mid-1990s (others included Canavese, Albugnano and the sub-regional Monferrato and Langhe titles), designed to bring greater distinction and identity to Piedmont's lesser-known wines.
The catchment area for the Valsusa title covers an area at the foot of the alps in the west of Torino province. This takes in the communes of Almese, Borgone di Susa, Bruzolo, Bussoleno, Caprie, Chianocco, Chiomonte, Condove, Exilles, Giaglione, Gravere, Mattie, Meana di Susa, Mompantero, Rubiana, San Didero, San Giorio di Susa, Villarfocchiardo and the Susa after which the valley is named.
The well-known varieties Barbera and Dolcetto are used here alongside lesser-known local varieties Neretta and Avana. Neretta is found almost nowhere outside Piedmont, and among the region's DOCs only Pinerolese wines have it specified as a required ingredient. Avana is similarly localized, and produces pale, light-bodied wines with a delicate floral scent.
A youthful-styled, early-drinking novello variant (Valsusa Novello) is also made, although as yet there are no riserva or superiore quality statements associated with the title.
