The Cortona PDO is reserved for the following typologies of wine: White (only with indication of grape variety), Red, Vin Santo and Vin Santo Occhio di Pernice. The Designation also incorporates numerous grape variety specifications.
Production Area
The production area of Cortona PDO is within the territory of the Municipality of Cortona in the Province of Arezzo, in the Tuscany region.
Blends
Red: 50-60% Syrah, 10-20% Merlot, pure or with non-aromatic grapes similar in colour and from other varieties suitable for cultivation in the concerned area, max. 30%.Vin Santo (incl. Riserva): min. 70%, pure or combined, Trebbiano Toscano, Grechetto, Malvasia Bianca, with the possible addition of white vinified red Sangiovese grapes for the production of “Cortona” wines, max. 30%.Vin Santo Occhio di Pernice: 100% Sangiovese, Malvasia Nera.
Description of product typologies
Cortona PDO Bianco with specification of grape variety has the organoleptic characteristics typical of the grapes and terroir of origin. Cortona PDO Rosso has a ruby-red colour, varying in intensity and tending towards garnet with aging; it is pleasing on the nose, slightly reminescent of spicy red fruit and brushwood; it is generally ample, mellow and slightly sapid. Cortona PDO Vin Santo ranges from golden-yellow to intense amber in colour; the nose is ethereal, dense and intense, reminiscent of dried fruit, particularly apricot; it is extremely warm and smooth on the palate, sweet, clean and embracing. It can display Riserva on the label. Cortona PDO Vin Santo Occhio di Pernice is between amber and topaz in colour, with an ample ginger surface-edge which tends towards brown with aging; the nose is fresh with fruity notes; it is fresh and light on the palate, with a sweet and persistent aftertaste. Cortona PDO Vin Santo and Cortona PDO Vin Santo Occhio di Pernice wines must be obtained from carefully selected grapes that have been dried in suitable environments; partial dehydration with ventilated air is permitted. Cortona PDO Vin Santo can only be made available for consumption after a mandatory aging period of at least 3 years, 3 months of which must be maturing in bottles, commencing December 1 of the year in which the grapes were produced; Cortona PDO Vin Santo Riserva can be put on the market after a mandatory aging period of 5 years, at least 6 months of which must be maturing in bottles, commencing December 15 of the year in which the grapes were produced. Cortona PDO Vin Santo Occhio di Pernice can only be made available for consumption after a mandatory aging period of at least 8 years, 6 months of which must be maturing in bottles, commencing February 28th of the year following the harvest. The vinification processes, including mandatory aging, drying, mandatory maturing and bottling, must be carried out within the territory of the Municipality of Cortona.
Grape variety specifications
The Cortona PDO may display the specifications of the following grape varieties. From white grape varieties: min. 85% Chardonnay, Grechetto, Sauvignon, pure or with non-aromatic grapes similar in colour and from other varieties suitable for cultivation in the concerned area, max. 15%.From red grape varieties (incl. Riserva): min. 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Sangiovese, pure or with non-aromatic grapes similar in colour and from other varieties suitable for cultivation in the region, max. 15%.The characteristics of the colour, fragrances and flavour of each specification are those typical of the grape variety and terroir of origin.
Additional specifications
The Cortona PDO designation can be followed by Vigna (Vineyard) with the relative toponym.
