Wines

There's something for everyone – from age-worthy to easy drinking, red, white, and even some rosé, with over 20 grape varieties.

Let's look at the four most iconic grape varieties of Alto Adige.

Pinot Grigio - Ripe stone fruits, heady notes of ginger, floral nuances, and refreshing acidity, paired with weighty body and texture, some even showing some barrel aging aromas of smoke and spice. Alto Adige produces world-class, cellar-worthy Pinot Grigio.

Gewürztraminer - Like walking into a Turkish bazaar – spices, rosewater, and honeysuckle fill your nose. The beautiful aromatics of this variety shine in Alto Adige, yet you get the freshness and delicacy on the palate not found in other wine regions. Alto Adige is the home of Gewürztraminer.

Lagrein - Brooding ripe blackberry, hints of violet, and deep color with robust tannins. Lagrein produces cellar-worthy wines, and with age, becomes savory with leather notes. For Bordeaux lovers, this is a great grape to get to know.

Schiava (Vernatsch) - The lighter red of Alto Adige, also known as Vernatsch, has loads of crunchy red fruit, smooth tannins, and might not need cellaring. If you like Pinot Noir, you'll enjoy this! Schiava is a fun and very approachable grape you should get to know.

Alto Adige Wine Facts

• 65% of all wines produced in Alto Adige are white wines.
• Pinot Grigio is the most planted grape variety in Alto Adige.
• Schiava (Vernatsch) and Lagrein are native to Alto Adige.
• 96% of all Alto Adige wines have DOC quality – the highest in all of Italy.
• There are 20 different grape varieties planted in Alto Adige.
• Wines have been made here for over 2500 years.

SOURCES

♦ Alto Adige Wine Consorzio