ALTO ADIGE
Italian’s South Tyrol white wines
South Tyrol is certainly one of the oldest areas in Europe in terms of wines production, from the year 15 century BC. when the current region became part of the Roman Empire. Today, small and severals winemakers (more than 5000) and 218 companies very often family-run lead terraced vineyards at different altitudes; vines fits into the mountains, and areas if lying in the sun.
A precise viticulture become charisma and identity in the glasses, this territory in recent decades has increasingly a lot imposing itself on the wine market, conquering more and more space with fruity, very fragrant wines and above all. In this region when we talk about white berries and with great potential for ageing, which can be observed through verticals that the great little vignerons have made available to us in a special journey. The human component is at the centre, the wine sector represents a large part of the social fabric, making wine is so good for the entire community. Since the 1980, many cooperatives, with great organizational attitude and cohesion, support and involved families connected to their terroirs. Alto Adige makes in five thousand hectares of vineyards a total of 40 million bottles (60% white and 40% red) which 70% dispatch by small wineries and managed in a cooperative, 25% by estates and only 5% by independent vignerons. It is also important to underline the importance of the internal market, just 30% is destined for export.
Since its constitution, the Consorzio Vini Alto Adige had assumed a crucial role, it supports the production of grapes, whether destined to be conferred or transformed. What about terroir? Varied and full of slopes, from those of the Val Venosta, the sunniest hills of the Bassa Atesina or the most alpine vineyards of the Isarco Valley. Within a radius of forty kilometres and a climate that forms a complex mosaic, a myriad of vineyards with different exposures, from 200 to 1000 meters above sea level, for a myriad of microclimates. A condition that allows the cultivation of 20 different grapes varieties. From the point of view of the soils, we face to volcanic porphyry and metamorphic rock of quartz and mica, limestone or dolomitic, and marl. The vine tends to develop very long roots by nature which can penetrate deeply, resisting better even to prolonged periods of drought. Other vineyards, on the other hand, are located on slopes or terraces where morainic sediments prevail. Thanks to research, crops have been optimized, Lagrein then gives its best in warm gravelly or sandy soils, while Gewürztraminer prefers clayey and very calcareous ones.
Furthermore the influence of the Dolomites is perceived when we tasting the wine whites which presents power, good body and minerals layers.
Among the most planted cultivars, there is certainly Pinot Grigio, followed by Gewurztraminer,
Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco and Sauvignon. Special mentions then for Kerner, a frost-resistant vine, and ”Sylvaner Green”, a casual cross between Traminer and Österreichisch present in Alto Adige since 1880. Both, Sylvaner and Kerner grows in high altitudes, where the wine acquires a full-bodied structure and a good acidity, herbaceous and spicy hints.