Liguria is a narrow, crescent-shaped strip of land known as the Italian Riviera, where the mountains of the Alps and Apennines drop steeply into the Mediterranean Sea. This is "heroic viticulture" at its most extreme; vineyards are perched on incredibly steep, hand-built stone terraces that are often inaccessible by machinery. The vines are constantly bathed in salt spray and intense sunshine, producing wines that capture the very essence of the sea.
The star of the coast is Vermentino. In Liguria, this grape produces whites with a distinct saline minerality, bright citrus notes, and a wild herbal aroma reminiscent of the coastal scrub. Further inland, on the terraced hills of the west, you will find the rare and captivating Rossese di Dolceacqua. This red grape produces elegant, light-bodied wines with a peppery spice and red currant fruit that drink beautifully with a slight chill. From the iconic cliffs of the Cinque Terre to the hidden valleys near the French border, Liguria offers a range of artisanal wines that are as breathtaking as the landscape itself.
