Cinque Terre

Only recently were roads built to the little towns of Monterosso, Vernazza and Rio Maggiore, where the famous Cinque Terre and Cinque Terre Sciacchetra are made. Indeed some of the vineyards, which are splendidly exposed to the sun in this corner of Liguria extending until La Spezia, may still only be reached by boat. The terraces on which the vines are planted are very steep indeed and most of the work can be done only by hand, and by climbing. The results are exquisite white wines produced with Bosco, Albarola and Vermentino grapes. The Cinque Terre, with 11% alcohol, has a straw-yellow colour and a dry and pleasantly delicate taste. It is ideal for the fish specialities of the Ligurian coast. The Cinque Terre Sciacchetra is a dessert wine produced with the same grapes, but the sugar in the grapes is concentrated by a short drying on mats which gives a higher alcohol content although still remains sweet. It is an ideal dessert wine, with a wonderful scent and a rich amber colour.