Alto Adige

The Alto Adige wine region

Better known in the Netherlands as South Tyrol, Alto Adige is often mentioned in the same breath as Trentino. These provinces share the main river, the Adige, and their landscapes and natural beauty are very similar. Despite this, Alto Adige is quite different from Trentino, and indeed, from the rest of Italy. Many will know the region primarily from winter sports or from their trips to Italy, where they traveled through the area. Nevertheless, it's definitely worth a stop. Not only to enjoy the beautiful scenery, but especially to sample the high-quality wine!

Wine culture of Alto Adige

While it may be one of the smallest wine regions in Italy, countless generations of winemakers have shaped the history of this region. Wine culture and tradition go hand in hand, and the beautiful vineyards in the rolling hills are synonymous with high-quality wines. It appears that wines were already being made in the Adige Valley in Roman times. And throughout this history, wine production has improved year after year. The wines do not carry the DOCG label, despite their high quality. They believe the wine deserves this designation.

Each grape has its own microclimate

The region is characterized by its wide range of altitudes, mountains, and the associated soil types. This makes it ideal for a wide variety of grape varieties. No fewer than twenty different grape varieties are planted in this relatively small area, each enjoying its own unique microclimate. The average temperature during the growing season is around 18 degrees Celsius. Due to the varying altitudes, the difference between day and night can vary considerably. This allows the grapes to develop a wide variety of aromas. In recent years, the focus has been primarily on white grape varieties, and they are among the finest white wines from Italy.

White wines from Alto Adige

The white wines from the region are of high quality, and the Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blancs are particularly popular. Chardonnay and Gewürztraminer are also widely planted. A beautiful example from this region is the Andrian Andrius Sauvignon Blanc, the flagship winery of this estate. A powerful and full-bodied Sauvignon with great depth and complexity. But the Pinot Grigio from the Tramin estate is also a true gem. A special Pinot Grigio that captures all the temperament of Italy. Wonderfully fresh with abundant fruit and lovely mineral notes.

Red wines from Alto Adige

The red wines from this region use lesser-known grape varieties, such as Lagrein and Vernatsch. Blauburgunder, also known as Pinot Noir, is also widely grown here. The wines reflect the character of this region and are all elegant and highly aromatic. Take the Tiefenbrunner Turmhof Lagrein, for example. Tiefenbrunner's Lagrein is more powerful and robust than most of its peers. Aromas of black fruit and abundant spice, and on the palate, a powerful wine with abundant fruit flavors. So whether you're looking for red or white wines, wines from this region will make any wine lover's heart beat faster.