Trentino-South Tyrol (685)

Trentino-South Tyrol - where poets come to rave

As the "most beautiful vineyard in the country," Goethe, a friend of fine red wine enjoyment, celebrated Trentino in "The Italian Journey." South Tyrol, on the other hand, captivated white wine lover Heine, who was enthusiastic about the picturesque slopes around Bolzano in his "Travel Pictures." Nice red wines in the south, top-notch white wines in the north - Trentino-South Tyrol has exactly that to offer. And much more besides.

What characterizes the wine styles of Trentino and South Tyrol?

A majestic, omnipresent mountain backdrop, rugged cliffs, deep valleys, and picturesque vineyards at altitudes of up to 1,000 meters - in terms of scenic beauty and romantic local color, Trentino and South Tyrol have nothing to envy each other. While Alto Adige is considered a guarantor for mineral and fruit-forward, aromatic white wines, the wine-growing regions of Trentino are primarily known for lighter, everyday red wines. This categorization is a considerable generalization, but it is reflected in the comparison of production figures: while nearly two-thirds of the approximately 5,500 hectares of vineyard area in South Tyrol are reserved for white wine production, the ratio of white to red varieties is reversed on the nearly 10,000 hectares of vineyard area in Trentino.

The Terroir - Climate and Soils in Trentino-South Tyrol

South Tyrol

Steep slopes along the upper Etsch, in the Eisack Valley, and in the Vinschgau make up the largest part of the vineyard areas in Alto Adige. The alpine continental climate in the north is characterized by large temperature differences, both between day and night as well as throughout the year. From the south, a sub-Mediterranean climate radiates far into the cooler regions. The contrasting, changing weather conditions create diverse microclimates in a small space, which are reflected in the different compositions of the soils: Excellent white varieties and some delicious red drops thrive on sandy primary rock, poor slate and gravel soils, quartz-rich porphyry, and calcareous clay soils.

Trentino

Here too in Trentino, thanks to the significant elevation differences, there are varied weather conditions - from the mild, Mediterranean-like climate around Lake Garda and the Vallagarina Valley to the northern cold of the glacier regions. Overall, however, Trentino enjoys better weather conditions for red wine cultivation - most of the vineyard areas benefit from a temperate climate, with snow in winter and pleasantly warm summers.

The Grape Varieties in Trentino-South Tyrol

Among the nine DOCs of Trento and Bolzano are numerous classic varieties brought in as well as a significant number of indigenous varieties. The latter, especially the red South Tyrolean Vernatsch and Lagrein, are increasingly attracting attention on the international wine stage.

Simply stunning: the whites of South Tyrol

Crisp-fresh Pinot Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc, like the varieties grown on stony sandy soils of Cantina Terlan, barrel-aged Chardonnay, and finely articulated, fully fermented Rieslings with little residual sweetness - the white wines from the steep, sheltered slopes of the Etsch and Eisack Valleys are among the best that Italian viticulture has to offer. 

Further south, the white grape varieties play a rather subordinate role - apart from the uncomplicated "evergreen" Pinot Grigio.

In addition to the predominantly 19th-century introduced classics, indigenous white varieties also assert themselves in the region: The low-acid, aromatic Gewürztraminer has been documented in South Tyrol since the 11th century. With a wide aromatic spectrum of oriental spices and tropical notes, for instance, the Gewürztraminer Alto Adige DOC from Cantina Tramin is an excellent companion to seafood, curries, and blue cheeses. The age of the Nosiola grape, which is regarded as the oldest white berry variety in Trentino, is unknown. What is clear is that without it, there would be no legendary dessert wine Vino Santo Trentino DOC from the Valle dei Laghi.

The Reds - a wide spectrum from youthful fun-makers to characterful trendsetters

The classic red grape varieties also arrived in Trentino-South Tyrol between 1850 and 1900. Alongside the well-structured, magnificent Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc have made their mark here and also impress as blends with Merlot.

However, the typical red wine in South Tyrol has a unique character: Diverse indigenous varieties have emerged as (still) secret stars. Indigenous varieties like the low-tannin, fruity-light Vernatsch (Schiava in Trentino, Trollinger in Germany) and the velvety, full-bodied Lagrein in South Tyrol are no longer enjoyed only by locals. The same applies to Trentiner varieties like the berry and finely spicy Teroldego and the fruity-full Marzemino, which Mozart's Don Giovanni appreciated. Palate-pleasers like the Lagrein-Vernatsch blend Kolbenhofer Vernatsch Schiava from the Hofstätter winery in South Tyrol have long found their way across national borders.

Trentino - a stronghold of Spumante

The fact that, as a sort of counterprogram to red wine in Trentino, Chardonnay has been gaining ground in recent decades is due to the steadily increasing demand for Italian sparkling wines. Alongside Pinot Blanc and Pinot Noir (White and Spätburgunder), Chardonnay is a base wine for sparkling wine production. A brilliant example of a traditionally bottle-fermented Spumante is the multiple award-winning, soft and elegant Perlé Rosé Riserva from the renowned winery Ferrari (not related to the similarly named racing team).

Interesting facts about Trentino-South Tyrol

How are the vineyards in Trentino-South Tyrol laid out?

Vertical trellis or horizontal canopy - this question divides opinions. The pergola, also known as pergola or roof canopy training, has been in use since antiquity. It was first documented in Bolzano in the 15th century. In pergola training, the vines climb along a two to four meter high, roof-like framework. This creates a more or less dense canopy from which the grapes hang down. All maintenance work is done from below and can only be mechanized to a limited extent. Many winemakers have therefore switched to the less labor-intensive trellis training. However, in many vineyards in the region, the pergola is still (or once again) very common. Its advantage: the canopy protects the grapes from the scorching midday sun. Sufficient sunlight shines in through side and centrally located accesses in the morning and evening. The canopies of modern pergola training are inclined at about 45 degrees or steeper, depending on the location, allowing additional sunlight and promoting air circulation.

Which DOCs are there in Trentino/Alto Adige?

Nowhere else in Italy is there a higher proportion of "Denominazione di Origine Controllata" (DOC, similar to the German Q.b.A = Quality Wine from Specific Regions) than in its northernmost region. About 85 percent of Trentino's vineyard areas are currently under DOC protection, while nearly 99 percent of wine in South Tyrol comes from DOC areas.

DOC in Trentino

• Casteller DOC

• Teroldego Rotaliano DOC

• Trentino DOC

• Trento DOC

DOC in Alto Adige

• Alto Adige or South Tyrol DOC

Cross-regional DOC

• Delle Venezie DOC (Veneto, Friuli, and Trentino)

• Lago di Caldaro, Caldaro, Kalterersee or Kalterer DOC (Trentino and South Tyrol)

• Valdadige or Etschtaler DOC (Trentino, South Tyrol, Verona)

• Valdadige Terradeiforti or Terradeiforti DOC (Trentino and Verona)

How do organization and marketing work in Trentino-South Tyrol?

Until a few decades ago, most wineries in Alto Adige produced and marketed their wines independently; today, nearly three-quarters of South Tyrolean wines are pressed in twelve cooperative operations and sold through them. To maintain and enhance the quality standards of wine production, the interest groups of cellar cooperatives, wineries, and free winemakers in South Tyrol have joined forces in the "South Tyrol Wine Consortium." In contrast, in Trentino, wine production has long been and mostly remains the responsibility of three cooperatives. A counter-program against the resulting quantity of agreeable everyday wines is emerging in the Vignaioli del Trentino. The "Community of Winegrowers" consists of a gradually growing number of wineries and private cellars that focus on individualistic notes.

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