Alto Adige

Situated in the foothills of the Dolomites, the Alto Adige region in Northern Italy (also known as Sudtirol or South Tyrol) abuts the borders of Switzerland and Austria, leaning on both Italian and German cultural and linguistic influences when it comes to wine production. Immediately to the south of Alto Adige lies Trentino, an equally sized but more Italian speaking appellation. Often grouped together as Trentino-Alto Adige, this region is Italy’s most northerly. Its alpine topography and climate lends itself equally well to the production of aromatic whites and light, refreshing red wines. Germanic varieties like Muller Thurgau, Sylvaner, Traminer and Riesling are found commonly planted alongside Italians such as Pinot Grigio and Schiava, as well as international varieties Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Nero (Noir). Of particular significance is the Kerner variety – a crossing of Schiava (Trollinger) and Riesling - which has made a home for itself in Alto Adige. Despite the DOC’s diminutive size in the Italian context, Alto Adige has carved a reputation for high quality wines produced from dramatic, terraced vineyards which represent some of the most labour-intensive in all of Italy. There are six official subzones: Val Venosta DOC, Meranese DOC, Terlano DOC, Santa Maddalena DOC, Colli di Bolzano DOC and Valle Isarco DOC. The small city of Bolzano acts as the capital of the Trentino-Alto Adige region.