The Aosta Valley is the European region with the highest concentration of protected areas. 13% of the total area is occupied by parks, nature reserves and oases. The largest protected area is the Gran Paradiso National Park, followed by the Mont Avic Regional Park. Orographically it is divided in two by the Dora Baltea, which flows in the central valley in a west-east direction, and highlights two slopes, a shady one facing north called envers in the local dialect, and a sunny and arid one facing south called adret. Some 20 side valleys oriented along the north-south axis converge in the central valley.
In this fascinating area, vines thrive on the breezy terraces that wind along the central valley and climb the mountain slopes, finding an ideal habitat to grow and give birth to fine wines.