region: Enfer d’Arvier, Valle d’Aosta, Italy
grape(s): petit rouge, pinot noir, gamay, & gamaret
Farming: practicing organic
Danilo Thomain is a pioneering vigneron in Italys Valle dAosta, dedicated to reviving traditional alpine winemaking. He cultivates just 2.5 acres on the steep, sunlit slopes of the Enfer dArvier appellation, perched high in the mountains at over 2,000 feet in elevation. As the only independent producer in this tiny region, Thomain has earned international recognition for his sustainable practices and focus on native varietals. His 2023 Enfer dArvier Rosso, made primarily from Petit Rouge with small amounts of Pinot Noir, Gamay, and Gamaret, undergoes spontaneous fermentation in fiberglass and stainless steel. The resulting wine is
deep
and vivid, with aromas of
black raspberry
,
plum
, and
wild herbs
. On the palate, its vibrant and mineral-driven, with notes of
graphite
, leather, and
velvety tannins
.
pairing: braised beef short rib
