Livorno

The Bolgheri DOC production zone in the province of Livorno lies entirely within the municipal territory of Castagneto Carducci; the land west of the old national road Via Aurelia is excluded. The area extends for about 13 kilometres from north to south and 7 kilometres from east to west. The vineyard plots are situated at elevations of 10 to 380 metres. To the west lies the sea, while along the Tyrrhenian coast, hills oriented north-south with summit heights of around 250 to 400 metres border the area. Most vineyards are located on the plain and on the lower slopes, while the higher areas are predominantly wooded.

Sea breezes channelled by the Tuscan Archipelago shape the area. The average annual temperature is about 15.5 °C, and frequent winds occur on at least 250 days per year. The production specifications list 9.6 °C as the minimum temperature, 19.4 °C as the maximum, and 14.5 °C as the average, as well as around 584 millimetres of annual rainfall and a water deficit of about 205 millimetres.

The soils are of marine and alluvial origin. A zonal study identified 27 soil units, including sandy, sandy-loam and loamy as well as clayey and silty-loam soils. They are mostly weakly alkaline or alkaline and show negligible salinity. The soils are generally deep and contain a lot of coarse material; at the surface, fossil fragments such as small shells may occur.

For Bolgheri DOC vineyards, traditional cultivation methods are used which are suitable for the characteristics prescribed. Extensive training systems are excluded. Newly planted or replanted vineyards must have at least 4,500 vines per hectare, with no more than 2.5 metres between rows. Forcing measures are prohibited, and irrigation is permitted only as emergency irrigation.

The permitted maximum yields are 12 tonnes per hectare for Bolgheri Bianco, Vermentino and Sauvignon, 9 tonnes for Rosato and Rosso, and 8 tonnes for Rosso Superiore and wines bearing the indication “vigna”. Bolgheri Bianco may consist of Vermentino, Sauvignon and Viognier in any proportions; other authorised white grape varieties may make up up to 40 per cent. Vermentino and Sauvignon must each account for at least 85 per cent of the named grape variety. For Rosso, Rosso Superiore and Rosato, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc are allowed in proportions of 0 to 100 per cent, Syrah and Sangiovese in each case up to 50 per cent, and other authorised red grape varieties in up to 30 per cent.

The Bolgheri DOC comprises the categories white wine, Vermentino, Sauvignon, Rosato, Rosso and Rosso Superiore. Bianco, Vermentino and Sauvignon are described as dry white wines. Rosato is dry and harmonious; Rosso is dry and harmonious with a ruby to garnet-red colour. Rosso Superiore is dry, full-bodied, firm and structured.

Bolgheri Rosso may be released no earlier than 1 September of the year following the harvest. Bolgheri Rosso Superiore must age for at least two years from 1 January after the harvest, at least one year of which must be in oak barrels.

Viticulture in the Castagneto Carducci area has been documented since Etruscan and Roman times; later evidence comes among other things from medieval monasteries and church-owned properties. The Gherardesca family introduced viticulture in the late 17th century in the areas of San Guido and Belvedere. From 1790 onwards, new vineyard areas were created around Bolgheri. The name Bolgheri DOC was established by presidential decree on 1 August 1983.

Vinification, ageing, bottling and storage must fundamentally take place within the administrative territory of Castagneto Carducci; for certain existing bottling rights outside the municipality, individual authorisations are provided. The production rules allow only local, fair and consistent oenological procedures, intended to preserve the defined characteristics of Bolgheri DOC wines.