Flint Wines takes on Alpine Pinot Noir producer

UK-based fine wine importer Flint Wines has taken on Elio Ottin – a four hectare winery in Valle D’Aosta in the western Alps of northern Italy.

Winemaker Ellio Ottin

The Valle d’Aosta is the smallest wine growing area of Italy and is home to indigenous grape varieties including Petite Arvine, Petit Rouge, Torrette and Fumin. However it was the estate’s Pinot Noir, produced from a vineyard planted in 1989 with Burgundy clones, that particularly impressed Flints’ wine buying team, with wine buyer Jason Haynes calling it “one of the best in Italy we have ever tasted”.

“We both knew instantly that these were the sort of wines which would fit perfectly in our list, as they showed real finesse, purity and personality,” said Haynes. “The Pinot Noir is one of the best in Italy we have ever tasted and the white Petite Arvine was a mineral explosion. These are just the sort of interesting, classy wines that top sommeliers are looking for and we are delighted to be introducing them to the UK.”

Having taken over the estate in the early nineties from his parents, Elio Ottin continued to sell grapes to the local cooperative until 2007 when he started to make his own wines.

By 2009 Elio had already won multiple awards from several Italian wine guides which helped to establish the name of his estate in Italy. All of Elio’s vineyards are on steep, south facing slopes, 590 metres above sea level, arranged in terraces and worked 100% by hand.

Ottin Vini’s 2014 Pinot Noir Vallee d’Aoste DOC will carry an RRP of £23.50