Region Traveling: Alto Adige

 

   TRENTINO ALTO-ADIGE

photo courtesy of 'Wine Maps'

This week I would like to recognize a beautiful region with wines that are just as beautiful, Trentino-Alto Adige is located in the very northern part of Italy. I have tasted magnificent wines from this region of Italy that it would be a shame to not discuss and explore what Alto Adige has to offer. 

Trentino Alto-Adige is made up of two autonomous provinces, while Trentino is almost entirely Italian speaking, Alto-Adige has a dominant German-speaking population. 

Throughout the course of history, Trentino had been conquered by many different rulers, it was even apart of different regions than Italy. Trentino did not officially become apart of Italy until 1918. In the early 19th century, there were a few people of Trentino that were active in the resistance led by Tyrolean, Andreas Hofer, against the French invasion. Hofer was an innkeeper and drover, an Austrian native, who became the leader of the Tyrolean Rebellion against the revolutionary battle against Napoleon, he was then captured and executed. Learn more about Hofer and the insurrection in Tyrol, here.

Trentino (the green area) was apart of Alto-Adige Department under Napoleon

The region of Alto Adige is a small winemaking community but these winemakers never fail to produce grapes so large in personality. Where the Alpines meet the Mediterranean, 20 different grape varieties on a land of 13,000 acres, Alto Adige is an endless green scenery full of mountains and picturesque views, but aesthetics aside, in order to be a great wine region, aspects such as soil type and fertility, climate, and weather play a major part in growing great grapes that produce even greater wines.

photo courtesy of 'Alto Adige Wines' - Alto Adige White Wines Are In A Class of Their Own

As far as grapes go, Schiava and Lagrein are widely planted, (Schiava is an Italian name that refers to several grape varieties in Trentino and Alto Adige regions in Italy, while Lagrein is strong, full-bodied, and plummy, a cousin of Syrah). Schiava was the top grape until, to some people's dismay, Pinot Grigio surpassed Schiava and is actually the most commonly planted grape in this notable region, with Lagrein following in second. 

check out information on thousands of grapes and more, here 

With days full of sun, warm soils, and sufficient precipitation, the nights can be cold and strong winds bring fruity freshness and naturally high acidity into Alto-Adige wines. The crisp and clean air results in thriving vineyards. The elevation levels range from 600 - 3,300 feet above sea level, and with 13,000 acres, it possesses a multitude of microclimates. 

photo courtesy of 'Alto Adige Wines - Terroir'

Trentino Alto-Adige holds a remarkable cultural legacy, full of prehistoric evidence, with obsolete and old castles, charming towns made up of historical and artistic significance. With plenty to see and do, there is so much to fall in love with when it comes to this magnificent region. Especially if you're tired of constantly hearing about Tuscany wines, Trentino Alto-Adige has plenty in store.

Down below I attached a quick five-minute video from one of the local winemakers of Alto-Adige. Paolo goes on to speak about his commitment to winemaking, not to mention the beauty and art behind taking care of a vineyard.

 It is truly incredible that wine and grape growing is genuinely ingrained into the lives of winemakers. Generation upon generation pass down the responsibility of the vineyards and can only hope that the same passion, love, and hard work go into taking care of the grapes. Every sip from that bottle of your favorite wine has been touched by the hands of people who came together to help nurture and help the grapes grow into a beautiful wine!

You'll hear magnificent stories from vintners about their wines, for instance, the vineyard animals who inspired the label for their bottle of wine, it's incredible! When I walk into a wine store, I kindly ask for whatever bottle they have with the funniest story behind it. Being able to tell a great story about a bottle of wine comes in handy when you may not know much about wine and would like to bring a bottle for let us say, the holidays, it makes for great conversation.

 

"Paolo Foradori is one of the great pioneers of Südtirol/Alto Adige Wines. It was love that brought the native from Trentino to Tramin in Alto Adige. Together with his wife, the passionate winemaker has popularised the Hofstätter winery, the Pinot Nero and the Gewürztraminer throughout Italy since the late fifties."

Pioneers of Wine Making in Alto-Adige - Paolo Foradori