{"id":8368,"date":"2021-05-28T21:34:10","date_gmt":"2021-05-29T02:34:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thecorkscrewconcierge.com\/?p=8368"},"modified":"2022-07-08T17:39:06","modified_gmt":"2022-07-08T22:39:06","slug":"red-wines-of-alto-adige-suditrol","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thecorkscrewconcierge.com\/2021\/05\/red-wines-of-alto-adige-suditrol\/","title":{"rendered":"Let\u2019s Give Some Love to the Red Wines of Alto Adige – S\u00fcdtirol"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

I absolutely adore the white wines of Alto Adige-S\u00fcdtirol. They are the people that convinced me that all Pinot Grigio was not simply alcohol water<\/span><\/a>. They showed me that Chardonnay outside of Bourgogne and California\u2019s Central Coast could seriously make me swoon<\/span><\/a>! And they showed me that smaller could indeed be better – they are one of Italy\u2019s smallest wine regions, but make an amazing array of wines. And they are all about quality. Over ninety-eight percent of the region\u2019s production falls under DOC classification – the highest of any Italian region. It just may be one of the highest quality wine regions hiding in plain sight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019m such a fan and believer of the region that I spent hours (yes hours!) on a piece for the folks at a the Vintner Project because I wanted to tell the story of this region. Be sure to check it out: The New Guard Forges Ahead in an Ever-Changing Alto Adige-S\u00fcdtirol<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But I\u2019m here to talk about the red wines of Alto Adige – S\u00fcdtirol…<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

A Little History<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As one of the oldest wine regions in Europe, winegrowing in Alto Adige-S\u00fcdtirol dates back to at least 500 B.C. and had early contributions from the Rhaetians, Romans, Bavarians, and Swabians. The combination of the Rhaetian tradition of winegrowing, who were the original inhabitants of the region, and Roman winemaking techniques during the time that the region was part of the Roman Empire in 15 B.C., led to the first \u2018Golden Age\u2019 of winemaking. During the Middle Ages, monasteries from what is now southern Germany, acquired wineries and engaged in winemaking activities that would last for nearly a thousand years. Initially, the winemaking focus was on youthful white wines, but beginning in the sixteenth century, the focus began to shift to red wine making.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Around 1850, during the time the region was under the control of the Hapsburgs, Burgundy varieties and Riesling were introduced to the area by Archduke Johann of Austria. Bordeaux varieties were not far behind. In fact, because of this early introduction of numerous grapes varieties, the region today continues to have a wide diversity of plantings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That Austrian influence also explains much about the region as a whole. Sharing a border with Austria, the region is in many respects more Germanic than Italian. Alto Adige-S\u00fcdtirol was a part of some version of the Austrian and Austro-Hungarian empires for centuries and only became a part of Italy at the conclusion of the First World War. The population largely speaks both German and Italian and a majority of the population are native German speakers. Because of this confluence, wine labels may include descriptions in Italian or German \u2013 or both. Even the wine regions are spoken of in both Italian and German, e.g. \u201cLago di Caldaro\u201d aka \u201cKalterersee\u201d and \u201cAlto Adige\u201d aka \u201cS\u00fcdtirol.\u201d This also explains my hyphenation of the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s Give the Reds Their Due<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While the reputation of the region\u2019s red wines suffered for many years – they just weren\u2019t very good – today, they are absolutely worth seeking out. To be sure, white wines are still most prominent, comprising over 60% of production. But the reds are certainly holding their own. Schiava (a.k.a. Vernatsch) and Lagrein, along with Pinot Noir, are the most produced red wines. Even Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon can be found in the region. But since they are native to the region, I want to share more about Schiava and Lagrein.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Schiava (aka Vernatsch, Black Hamburg, or Trollinger)<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fan of lighter bodied reds like Pinot Noir and Gamay, I knew I\u2019d have a soft spot for Schiava. In fact, when I saw descriptions of Schiava like \u201cthin-skinned\u201d and \u201cfickle,\u201d I instantly thought of Pinot Noir. The most produced red wine in Alto Adige-S\u00fcdtirol, this indigenous variety has been around since the 16th century. It shines in a number of places within the region and is the key variety in wines from the Santa Maddalena (which often features small amounts of Lagrein) and Lago di Caldaro\/Kalterersee DOCs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Oltradige, Lake Caldaro | Photo Credit: Alto Adige Wine\/Benjamin Pfitscher<\/em><\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

When grown in Santa Maddalena in Bolzano, it tends to be fuller-bodied while those coming from Lake Caldaro are softer and smoother. Uncork one from Merano and you\u2019ll find more spice. But wherever it\u2019s grown, it has the hallmark acidity that Alto Adige-S\u00fcdtirol is known for as well as mid-level tannins and fresh red berry and floral notes. Plus, since I live in a place with lots of heat and humidity, I love that this is one of those \u201cchillable\u201d red wines. Yes, do not be afraid to chill your lighter-bodied red wines in summer. Oh, and don\u2019t forget the price. Most of these wines can be had for around $15-20.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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