Wines from COLLI DI CANDIA

Vine growing on the hills of Candia dates back to distant times.
This is proven by the ancient terraces and documents speaking of the wine trade back in 200 BC.
The Apuan hills are located between the tall, harsh Apuan Alps, their grey colour set off by the lush green of the vine-grown flatlands, a greenery that covers the steep slopes of the hills and descends to the sea through a short flatland. Vines have been grown on these steep terraced slopes for over 2000 years with great effort and sacrifice but small reward for the farmers, because of the poor harvest and the natural constraints on the tillable land.

The history of this wine dates way back, but the D.O.C. (REGISTERED DESIGNATION OF ORIGIN) was awarded on January 27th 1981. The Registered Designation of Origin is binding on the growing area, the crop, the grape blends and the features of the wine.
The varieties included in the new wine-making specifications are sweet, dry and "vin santo".

Area where D.O.C. Vino di Candia dei Colli Apuani is made It includes the municipalities of Carrara, Massa and Montignoso.
The Consortium was established on 25/05/1974, and 1997/98 is the date of enforcement of the amendments to the wine-making specifications and the vineyards registered as D.O.C. (REGISTERED DESIGNATION OF ORIGIN) "Candia dei Colli Apuani", which are members of the Consortium.
The members adhere to the low environmental-impact protection schemes involving a limited use of chemicals.
Tours in the area where Vino dei Colli di Candia is made On the Carrara side, do not miss a visit to "Via di Fontia", or on the Massa side to the "Via dell'Uva" (the grape trail).

Vines grown in the Apuan area The most widespread vine is certainly white Vermentino which is the main ingredient for the white wine made in the Apuan area.
Other native vines used to make white wine include Albarola, Trebbiano Toscano and Malvasia. Vines used to make red wine include red Vermentino, exclusive to the area, Ciliegiolo, Massaretta, Buonamico, Barsaglina and Sangiovese.