by Alto Adige Wines
Nestled in the northeast corner of Italy, amidst the Dolomites and the Italian Alps, one will find a quite refreshing wine region – in both spirt and style: Alto Adige.
Though Alto Adige spreads across just 5,500 hectares (13,600 acres), making less than one percent of Italy’s wine, it’s by far the most diverse region in the country. Home to over 20 grapes, three native languages, over 150 different soil compositions, and a vineyard landscape measuring from 200 to 1,000 meters (600-3,300 feet), in every glass of Alto Adige you can taste the region’s harmony of contrasts.
In Alto Adige, the indigenous Lagrein and Schiava – two red wines unique to the area – and a handful of international grapes such as Gewürztraminer (since the 1600s), Sauvignon Blanc (since the 1890s), Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio, and Pinot Nero thrive.
The common thread between all the wines is the alpine freshness and crisp fruit flavors that come from the notable shift in temperature from day to night. More than 300 hot sunny days each year, with temperatures higher than Sicily in the summer, allow for optimum ripeness while cool temperatures at night maintain acidity.
Alto Adige is more than a quality wine region, it’s also a top tourist destination with breathtaking views. While enjoying wine by the breezy Lake Caldaro, one can easily take in the snowcapped mountains – a landscape unlike any other. A unique corner of Italy that wine lovers across the globe can appreciate, Alto Adige has something for everyone.
