Colli di Luni DOC straddles the Liguria –Tuscany border in north-west Italy, but falls mainly in Liguria. The DOC dates from 1989. It produces both red and white wines. The reds are made primarily from Sangiovese, plus Canaiolo, Pollera Nera and Ciliegiolo. The whites are made primarily from Vermentino plus Trebbiano Toscano. A varietal Vermentino is also permitted. Burton Anderson (1990, p.76-77) says most good wines from this resort area are consumed by visitors from Milan.
Production zone: 14 communes in the Province of La Spezia in Liguria: Ameglia, Arcola, Beverino, Bolano, Calice al Cornoviglio, Castelnuovo Magra, Follo, La Spezia, Lerici, Ortonovo, Riccò del Golfo, Santo Stefano di Magra, Sarzana, Vezzano Ligure, plus 3 communes in the east in the Province of Massa Carrara in Tuscany: Aulla. | Fosdinovo. | Podenzana.
Terroir: The wines come from both sides of the Magra valley, from La Spezia north to Calice al Cornoviglio, south along the Gulf to Bocca di Magra and east into Tuscany. Very steep slopes. Low yields, high production costs.
Viticulture: Pruning is mostly to single guyot with some cordon. Most vines were replanted individually historically, on terraces and to individual poles. Rootstocks are usually 1103 Paulsen (usefully deep rooting), a bit of 420A, with new vineyards on 3309C (which may be too vigorous for this zone). At replanting 90% of the replants are bought already grafted.
Wine grapes: Barsaglina (red).
Wines
Colli di Luni Bianco DOC: A blend from 35-75% Vermentino, 25-40% Trebbiano and other white varieties (up to 30%) like Albarola which gives fruit and texture.
Colli di Luni Vermentino DOC: The Vermentino must consist of at least 90% of this variety.
Colli di Luni Rosso DOC: Sangiovese (60- 70%), Canaiolo Nero and/or Ciliegiolo Nero and/or Pòllera Nera (15-40%), plus Cabernet Franc and/or Cabernet Sauvignon and/or other red varieties (up to 25%). These include Vermentino Nero which ripens frst, then Monfrà which may be an old clone of Dolcetto, plus Marinello, Morone, and Merlarola.
Wineries
Certified organic: Azienda Agricola Pascale Francesca – I Pilastri (Fosdinovo).
No certification: Ca’ Lunae (Bosoni).
Bibliography
Burton Anderson, The Wine Atlas of Italy (Mitchell Beazley, 1990), p.76-77.