Vineyards view in Santa Maddalena Rencio Bolzano. Trentino Alto Adige Sud Tyrol, Italy, Europe.
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Alto Adige is a small but highly regarded wine-producing region in Northeastern Italy known for its exceptional quality wines. Nestled in the Alpine belt, it is among Italy’s oldest wine regions. It has developed a reputation for elegant, aromatic, and terroir-driven white and red wines. Below is some background on the region and tasting notes on a representative selection of Alto Adige wines.
Geology and Soil Types
Alto Adige, a region in the Dolomite Alps, owes its unique geology to its glacial and volcanic history. The Adige River bisects the area and has carved valleys that are ideal for viticulture.
The region features a variety of soil types. Sandy and gravelly soils predominate on the valley floors, providing excellent drainage for the vines. The valley’s hillsides and mountainous vineyards host limestone and dolomitic rock, imparting minerality to the wines. Volcanic soils, especially at higher elevations, contribute to the aromatic intensity and complexity of the wines. In contrast, in cooler zones, loamy soils retain moisture and nutrients, ideal for white grape varieties.
Climate
The Alto Adige region boasts a unique Alpine-Mediterranean climate, a complex blend of hot days and cool nights. Notwithstanding its mountainous terrain, the region often has the highest summer temperatures in Italy.
With over 300 sunny days yearly, this complex climate allows the grapes to ripen fully, creating balanced wines with intense flavors. The sharp diurnal temperature variation preserves the grapes’ acidity and aromatic freshness, while cool breezes from the nearby mountains and moderate vineyard temperatures help to prevent overripening.
Grape Varietals Grown
Alto Adige cultivates native and international grape varieties. White wine production dominates, accounting for around 60% of the total output. Key varietals include:
White Grapes:
Pinot Bianco (Weißburgunder): A flagship grape producing elegant, mineral-driven wines.
Chardonnay: Known for fresh, vibrant styles with Alpine precision.
Gewürztraminer: A signature variety of Alto Adige, producing intensely aromatic, spicy wines.
Sauvignon Blanc: Crisp and aromatic, often with grassy and citrus notes.
Riesling and Sylvaner: Produce wines with exceptional freshness and aging potential.
Red Grapes:
Lagrein: A native variety yielding bold, structured wines with dark fruit and spice.
Schiava (Vernatsch): A light-bodied, fruity red with low tannins.
Pinot Nero (Pinot Noir): Grows exceptionally well in higher-altitude vineyards, producing elegant, perfumed wines.
Below are tasting notes on a selection of Alto Adige wines. Each reflects the region’s unique terroir, a testament to its rich wine culture.
South Tyrolean speck with fresh stone oven baked bread and mountain cheese
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J. Hofstätter, Weißburgunder / Pinot Bianco, 2023
The nose features ripe pear, green apple, and white peach notes, accented by floral notes of honeysuckle, a hint of almond, and a subtle wet stone minerality.
The creamy wine has a crisp acidity featuring green apple, lemon zest, and nectarine, followed by a chalky minerality. The finish is long, with lingering notes of citrus.
A classic Pinot Bianco that reflects the Alto Adige terroir, combining elegance, minerality, and vibrant fruit.
Girlan, Marna Chardonnay, 2022
Intense aromas of tropical fruit, particularly pineapple and mango, and citrus notes of lemon and lime dominate the palate, along with subtle hints of toasted hazelnuts and vanilla. The wine is medium-bodied, with a creamy texture balanced by vibrant acidity. It features ripe peach, golden apple, and citrus zest, followed by vanilla, almond, and a touch of butter. The finish is long and elegant, with lingering notes of lemon curd, spice, and a subtle minerality.
A beautifully balanced Chardonnay that reflects marl and limestone-rich Marna soils, offering complexity, freshness, and a touch of richness.
Cantina Tramin, Nussbaumer Gewürztraminer, 2021
It is exceptionally aromatic, with intense notes of lychee, rose petals, and orange blossoms. Exotic clove and ginger spices combine with hints of honey and tropical fruit notes of passionfruit and pineapple.
The wine is full-bodied and opulent, with a slightly oily texture and a brisk acidity. The palate features ripe lychee, candied orange peel, and apricot flavors, balanced by a subtle bitterness and spice notes of nutmeg, clove, ginger, and cardamom.
The finish is incredibly long and complex, with lingering floral and exotic spice notes.
A benchmark Gewürztraminer showcasing the Nussbaumer terroir, one of Alto Adige’s top sites for this variety.
Franz Haas, Pinot Nero 2022
Franz Haas is one of Alto Adige’s top producers. The nose features elegant and fresh aromas of red cherry, raspberry, and cranberry, accompanied by subtle floral notes of rose petal and violet, spice notes of cinnamon and clove, and an earthy forest floor undertone.
The wine is light to medium-bodied with a silky texture, a well-ripened tannic backbone, and a brisk acidity. Red berry fruit dominates the palate with subtle notes of wild herbs and black tea.
The finish is long and elegant, with lingering red fruits and a hint of spice.
A beautifully balanced Pinot Nero that showcases Alto Adige’s terroir with finesse and a clean, mineral-driven profile.
View of Alto Adige’s mountain vineyards
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Franz Haas, Pinot Grigio 2022
Aromas of green apple, pear, and white peach, complemented by floral notes of acacia and a touch of citrus zest on the nose. The palate is light-bodied with crisp acidity, featuring flavors of ripe pear, lime, nectarine, and almond, with a subtle minerality.
The finish is long, with lingering citrus notes and a touch of wet stone minerality.
A classic, vibrant Pinot Grigio that reflects the high-altitude vineyards of Alto Adige
Elena Walch, Vigna Castel Ringberg, Sauvignon 2022
It is an intensely aromatic wine with pronounced notes of gooseberry, passionfruit, and grapefruit, herbal tones of green bell pepper, tomato leaf, freshly cut grass, and a subtle minerality.
It’s medium-bodied with a brisk acidity. It features lime, green apple, and tropical fruit flavors, with a strong herbal backbone and a distinct minerality.
The finish is long, with lingering notes of citrus, wet stone, and a touch of salinity.
A precise, elegant Sauvignon that reflects the unique terroir of the 1,250-foot elevation, Castel Ringberg vineyard.
Franz Haas, Manna 2021
The nose features a layered bouquet of ripe apricot, peach, and pineapple alongside floral notes of jasmine and elderflower, accompanied by subtle hints of honey, almonds, and wet stone.
It’s medium to full-bodied, with a rich, creamy, velvety texture and vibrant acidity. The palate is complex, showing stone fruit, citrus, and tropical fruit flavors, distinct minerality, and a touch of spice.
The finish is long, with lingering notes of citrus, honey, and a hint of salinity.
Manna is a unique wine of exceptional balance and complexity. It features a multi-varietal blend of Riesling, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Gewürztraminer, showcasing Franz Haas’s innovative winemaking.
Terlan, Pinot Noir Monticol Riserva, 2020
It is an elegant and complex wine featuring ripe red cherries, cranberries, wild/alpine strawberries, subtle earthy undertones of forest floor and mushroom, and hints of violet, clove, and vanilla.
The palate is medium-bodied, with a silky texture, ripe tannins, and brisk acidity. It showcases flavors of red cherry, raspberry, pomegranate, wood spices, cedar, a hint of tobacco, and a touch of minerality.
The finish is long, with lingering red fruit and a touch of spice.
A refined and elegant Pinot Noir that reflects the high-altitude terroir of Alto Adige.
Farm worker hand-picking organic “Lagrein” grapes, a red wine variety that is native to South Tyrol, Italy
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Rottensteiner, Schiava, 2023
It’s fresh and aromatic, with red berry notes of cherry, strawberry, and red currant, delicate floral hints of rose and violet, and a subtle herbal touch of thyme and mint.
The wine is light-bodied, with ripe, silky tannins and brisk acidity. It features juicy red fruit flavors of raspberry and cherry, almond and a touch of minerality.
The finish is long and crisp, with lingering fruity and floral notes. A charming and easy-drinking wine that embodies Alto Adige’s Schiava tradition.
Greif Lagrein, 2021
Greif Lagrein is intense and rich, with dark fruit aromas of blackberry, black cherry, and plum and secondary notes of dark chocolate, leather, and tobacco, along with subtle hints of violet and black pepper.
This wine is full-bodied and robust, with firm tannins, a velvety texture, and a brisk acidity. It features flavors of ripe blackberries, blackcurrants, and dark plums, followed by earthy undertones and hints of mocha and spice.
The finish is long and powerful, with lingering notes of dark fruit, cocoa, and a touch of spice. A bold and structured Lagrein showcasing the depth and intensity of this native Alto Adige variety.
Eisacktal Valle Isarco, Pinot Grigio 2023
The nose is floral and aromatic, with aromas of green apple, pear, white peach, citrus zest, subtle floral notes of acacia and elderflower, and wet stone minerality.
The palate is light to medium-bodied, with a smooth texture and a crisp acidity. It features ripe pear, lemon, a touch of nectarine, and a distinct minerality.
The finish is long and zesty, with lingering citrus and a hint of almond.
A beautifully balanced and mineral-driven Pinot Grigio that reflects the cool climate and high-altitude vineyards of the Eisacktal Valley.
Thanks to the unique combination of geology, climate, and high-altitude vineyards, Alto Adige’s wines are characterized by precision, elegance, and a sense of place. This wine—the crisp Pinot Bianco, the textured Chardonnay, the exotic Gewürztraminer, the elegant Pinot Noir, or the robust Lagrein—perfectly exemplify this region’s quality and diversity. They are outstanding and interesting wines that are worth trying.