Val di Cornia DOC was created in 1990 and is located to the south of Bolgheri on the Etruscan Coast, or Costa degli Etruschi and in the northern section of the Maremma region of Tuscany. The DOC is named for the Val di Cornia, or Cornia river valley which flows into the Mediterranean at Piombino. ‘Like Bolgheri, Val di Cornia, with its sub-zone Suvereto, a town some 20 odd miles from Bolgheri – indeed it has been hailed as the new Bolgheri – is more into things Bordelais than Tuscan,’ (Nicolas Belfrage: 2001, p.155). Suvereto was recognized as a separate sub-zone in 2001 and is now DOCG (Suvereto DOCG).

History: See the Gualdo del Re winery for some background on this DOC’s history.

Geography: The production area falls within the provinces of Livorno and Pisa and those communes which touch the valley of the river, which are:

– in Livorno province: the entire administrative territory of the municipalities of Suvereto and Sassetta [a ‘pretty little village perched on the side of the hill,’ (Rosemary George MW: 2004, p.277), and part of the administrative territory of the municipalities of Piombino, San Vincenzo, [a ‘smart seaside resort,’ (Rosemary George MW: 2004, p.277)] and Campiglia Marittima;

– in Pisa province: the entire administrative territory of the municipality of Monteverdi Marittimo.

Terroir: Val di Cornia has more iron-rich soil than the Montescudaio DOC. The mainly south-west aspect means the region gets lots of sun.

White wines

Val di Cornia DOC, Bianco: 50-100% Vermentino bianco. 0-50% Trebbiano Toscano, Ansonica, Viognier, and Malvasia Lunga, 0-15% other white grapes authorised in Tuscany.

Val di Cornia DOC, Ansonica: 85-100% Ansonica, 0-15% other white grapes authorised in Tuscany.

Val di Cornia DOC, Vermentino: 85-100% Vermentino, 0-15% other white grapes authorised in Tuscany.

Pink wines

Val di Cornia DOC Rosato: 40-100% Sangiovese. 0-60% Cabernet Sauvignon and/or Merlot. 0-20% other red grapes authorised in Tuscany.

Red wines

Val di Cornia DOC Rosso: 100% Sangiovese wines are permitted (Belfrage, N: 2001, p.155) but ‘as in Bolgheri, Sangiovese is not very important, while the so-called international grape varieties are much more highly considered [Cabernet, Merlot, Syrah. Also Montepulciano]; barriques rather than botti are the order of the day,’ (Rosemary George: 2004, p.277). However Villa Monte Rico make a varietal Sangiovese “which reflects the ripeness and juiciness of which the grape is capable at these low altitudes,’ (Nicolas Belfrage: 2001, p.152).

Val di Cornia DOC, Cabernet Sauvignon: 85-100% Cabernet Sauvignon, 0-15% other red grapes authorised in Tuscany.

Val di Cornia DOC, Ciliegiolo: 85-100% Ciliegiolo, 0-15% other red grapes authorised in Tuscany.

Val di Cornia DOC, Merlot: 85-100% Merlot, 0-15% other red grapes authorised in Tuscany.

Val di Cornia DOC, Sangiovese: 85-100% Sangiovese, 0-15% other red grapes authorised in Tuscany.

Sweet wines

Val di Cornia DOC Passito, Aleatico:

Val di Cornia DOC Passito, Ansonica: 85-100% Ansonica, 0-15% other white grapes authorised in Tuscany.

Wineries

Certified organic: Bulichella (Suvereto).

Others: Caccia al Piano 1868. | Giovanni Chiappini. | Gualdo del Re. | Jacopo Banti. | Incontri. | Lorella Ambrosini. | Montepeloso. | Monterufoli. | Petricci del Pianta. | Petra. | Russo. | Podere San Michele. | Sant’Agnese. | Tenuta Casa Dei. | Tenuta di Vignale. | Villa Monte Rico.