Small in Size, Large in Character, Alto Adige, also known as Südtirol, is Italy’s northernmost wine region. Located between Austria and Switzerland on Italian soil, the region benefits from the best of both worlds — a perfect balance of brisk Alpine air and Mediterranean sun. Breathtaking vineyards with a backdrop of snow-covered mountains are synonymous with high-quality wines of authentic varietal character.
While it is one of Italy’s smallest wine-growing regions (less than 1% of the country’s total production), Alto Adige leads Italy in wine meriting a DOC designation. Italy, itself, one of wine’s most enchanting and ancient homelands.
The top Trentino-Alto Adige wines, including Chardonnays, Pinot Biancos, Pinot Grigios, Traminers, and sparkling wines have precision, grip, and focus.
Alto Adige boasts a large number of grape varieties including fascinating indigenous varieties such as Lagrein and Schiava, as well as international varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.
Ms. MacNeil lead a virtual twitter tasting exploring the diversity and quality of Alto Adige Wines. Using the hashtag #SipWithKaren I tasted along with Karen from the comfort of my home, sharing our wine discoveries with fellow bloggers and wine industry leaders.
So here are snippets along with tasting notes from our #SipWithKaren live twitter session:
2014 Castel Sallegg Pulvernai Pinot Grigi0: Winemaker notes: Bright yellow color, apricot & plum on nose w/ green apple & lime on palate. Website: www.castelsallegg.it
The best #PinotGrigio wines have real character. They should not be simply neutral-tasting and bland #SipWithKaren
— Karen MacNeil (@KMacWine) September 25, 2015
2013 Alois Lageder Porer Pinot Grigio: produced by sustainable, biodynamic, and organic methods. Brilliant straw-yellow color, aromatic, opulent, with pronounced mineral notes and oak spice. Remarkably long and aromatic on the palate with a hint of weight due to 5 months on lees. Website: www.aloislageder.eu
PG wines from #AltoAdige are known for their floral aromas, minerality & complexity #AltoAdigeWines #WineFacts #SipWithKaren — Alto Adige Wines (@AltoAdigeWines) September 25, 2015
2012 Cantina Terlano Vorberg Pinot Bianco: A perfect match for spicy seafood dishes. Cantina Terlano winery has a traditional focus on long-living wines. White wines from Terlano in particular have repeatedly hit the headlines in trade publications with their ability to outlast the decades. Website: www.kellerei-terlan.com
The first vintage of Cantina Terlano Vorberg Pinot Bianco was produced in 1893 #SipWithKaren #WineFacts #AltoAdigeWines @KellereiTerlan — Alto Adige Wines (@AltoAdigeWines) September 25, 2015
2013 Colterenzio Prail Sauvignon: with a cellaring potential of 3-5 years, boasts aromas of elderflower, passion fruit, and lime. Melon and stone fruit on palate with zesty acidity. Website: www.colterenzio.it
The #Colterenzio is packed full of flavor and intensity that hits you like a bullet train. #SipWithKaren pic.twitter.com/EFlNRpzQM4 — Karen MacNeil (@KMacWine) September 25, 2015
2014 Cantina Andriano Gewürztraminer: Gorgeously floral with aromas of rose petals, cloves, cinnamon, citrus, lychee, and thyme. It’s simply irresistible. Website: www.kellerei-andrian.com
Peppery, gingery, not syrupy, bright and delicious. This @kellereiandrian is like the Jackson Pollock of #gewürztraminer #SipWithKaren — Karen MacNeil (@KMacWine) September 25, 2015
2014 Kaltern Caldaro Pfarrhof Kalterersee Auslese: Schiava is Alto Adige’s most widely planted grape variety. Try it lightly chilled. Website: www.kellereikaltern.com
The @KellereiKaltern is like a cherry #popsicle – but with a side of herbs and pepper. Weird and delicous #SipWithKaren — Jacqueline Rogers (@feelingduckie) September 25, 2015
2013 Erste + Neue Mezzan Pinot Nero: Dark cherry-red rim, black cherries, touch of vanilla, dry and powerful. It calls for some roasted or grilled meats. Website: www.erste-neue.it
The glacial soils in #AltoAdige are not like Burgundy or California. The #PinotNoir from #AltoAdige is sleek, earthy, unique. #SipWithKaren — Karen MacNeil (@KMacWine) September 25, 2015
2010 Abbazia di Novacella Praepositus Lagrein: is a bold, yet supple wine, perfect for fall! Located in the sleepy little burg of Novacella, Abbazia was founded in 1142 by the Augustinian Order of Canons Regular. In 2009, Italy’s influential Gambero Rosso named Celestino Lucin, the abbey’s enologist “WINEMAKER OF THE YEAR.” Website: www.abbazianovacella.it
#Lagrein is a wine that every serious wine lover should know. Definitely try to find one if you haven’t tried it before. #SipWithKaren — Karen MacNeil (@KMacWine) September 25, 2015
Wine fascinates me. The more I read or taste, the less I know, consequently more intrigued I get. It’s a bottomless sip of deliciousness filled with curiosity and surprises . I for one can’t wait to literally walks the Italian Alps, feel the brush of the crisp Alpine breeze, bask in the Mediterrean sun, while sipping on sensational world class wines.
Join us on Twitter using the hashtag #sipwithkaren to broaden your wine senses. Until next time, have a delicious day!
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I was bummed I missed this chat. I enjoy the wines of this region very much and glad it was shared.