Off to the Franco-Italian Alps!  Vallee d’Aoste is a somewhat unusual region in Italy.  Though it has acquired some degree of recognition for its breathtaking slopes amongst the skiing folks, the region is otherwise obscure.  The people here speak Italian tinged French and have cultivated some wonderfully idiosyncratic wines.  The Cave du Vin was established in 1983 to protect the ancestral style of Aoste wine and is comprised of some 70 growers.  In the valley of Valdigne, in the northwest of the region, Blanc de Morgex is a wine made from grapes grown just under 4,000 feet high on the slopes of Mont Blanc.  These are the highest vineyards in Italy and their alpine aspect has a profound influence on the wines.  Though Blanc de Morgex may be crafted from a handful of grapes, “Rayon” is made from a rare grape called Prie Blanc.  Prized for its ability to cling to the steep slopes and to endure the hardship of high altitude living, Prie Blanc creates delicate wines with profound elemental feel.