Italy at Vinitaly
ALTO ADIGE
ALTO ADIGE WINE REGION: TRADITION, INNOVATION AND VARIETY
| Alto Adige is one of the smallest wine-growing areas in Italy. Wine, culture and tradition are closely linked in this region on the southern side of the Alps. Innumerable generations of winegrowers have influenced the history of viticulture in Alto Adige where beautiful vineyards with a backdrop of snow-covered mountains are synonymous with unusual and unique wines. Alto Adige is the oldest wine producing area of the German linguistic area. Archaeological excavations indicate the existence of viticulture even long before the Romans occupied the Adige valley. Many diverse peoples have settled and influenced the region during the course of time, particularly the Bavarian and Swabian dioceses and abbeys who cared for and intensified viticulture in Alto Adige. Today, there are about 5,000 ha. of vineyard planted in Alto Adige, which lie in the valleys along the Adige river between Silandro and Salorno and along the Isarco river between Bolzano and Bressanone. 98% of the vineyards are classified DOC areas with 55% of production being red wine and 45% white wine. Production varies between 300,000 and 350,000 hl. of wine and this very small quantity corresponds to just 0.7% of Italy's wine production. Alto Adige is a very diverse region with variations of climate and soil even within the smallest localities. The lowest vineyards are located at 200 m. and the highest reaching 1000 m. above sea level. In the north, the Alps provide protection from cold winds whilst in the south the mild Mediterranean influence is apparent. The composition of soil includes dolomitic rock and fluvial deposits in the Adige valley, the Oltradige and the Bassa Atesina, moraine and volcanic debris in the Bolzano basin and slaty primitive rock in the Isarco valley and Val Venosta. The Schiava grape variety dominates in Alto Adige accounting for almost 30% of the total vineyard area. From this variety, the well-known wines of Santa Maddalena, Lago di Caldaro, Meranese and Colli di Bolzano are made. The velvety Lagrein is also a native variety of Alto Adige. For over a century, the noble French red varieties such as Pinot Noir, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon have been planted in Alto Adige. Malvasia and Moscato Rosa are rarities but complete the red varietal assortment. The fruity fresh Burgundian varieties such as Pinot Bianco, Chardonnay and Pinot Grigio dominate the white varieties whilst Sauvignon Blanc enjoys increasing popularity. The aromatic, spicy Traminer variety that got its name from the village of Tramin and is widely grown throughout the world has a special place. Sylvaner, Müller Thurgau, Kerner, Veltliner and Riesling grow primarily in the cooler sites and Moscato Giallo completes the white varietal range of Alto Adige. Alto Adige's wines have regularly attracted great attention at international wine tastings and competitions over the years gaining numerous awards and recognition not least for the consistent quality of effort in both vineyard and cellar. For more information: www.altadigewines.com |