Alto Adige, the northernmost part of Italy, is home to the highest vineyards in Europe – reaching heights of 1100 metres. This high altitude helps to preserve the acidity and freshness of the grapes, resulting in red Italian wines with a distinctive flavour in colder climates. This German-speaking region tends to use many international grape varieties, and there are not as many DOC rules here as in the rest of Italy.
Lagrein
Lagrein is a red grape native to Alto Adige, and it is a real explosion of high acidity and tannins. It is used to make the red Lagrein Scuro (also known by its German name Lagrein Dunkel) and the aromatic pink Lagrein Rosato (Lagrein Kretzer). One of the most amazing things about the red version is that it tastes fantastic when chilled slightly.
What does Lagrein taste like? It has plenty of crisp acidity to make you drool, with notes of raspberry, red plum, freshly ground pepper and coffee.
Gewürztraminer
Gewürztraminer, with its lovely aroma, is one of Alto Adige’s most distinctive wines. Thanks to its natural pink hue, it has a deep golden colour and an aroma that just bursts out of the glass. Gewürztraminer is the perfect antidote to the crisp and dry white wines of Italy. Gewürztraminer has a smooth, almost buttery texture due to its low level of acidity.
What does Italian Gewürztraminer taste like? The wine’s light sweetness is only enhanced by its natural flavours of juicy lychee notes, rose petals and light ginger.
Pinot Blanc
Weissburgunder – or Beer Blanc – is a grape variety that grows in the high altitude vineyards of Alto Adige. Due to its relatively low acidity, it produces wines with a rounded texture. It has a subtle flavour and is a fantastic option for every day.
What does Italian Pinot Blanc taste like? Light and delicate, it has flavours of crisp green apple, juicy pear and bright lemon. With some aging, notes of hay and roasted nuts may develop.
Pinot Noir
The classic Burgundian grape variety Pinot Noir has found a new home in the high vineyards of Alto Adige. Here it is called Pinot Nero. This light red wine is known worldwide for its delicate red fruit flavour.
What does Italian Pinot Noir taste like? Pinot Nero from Alto Adige is full of purple and red berry flavours, offset by a hint of Christmas spice and floral notes of violets.
