North East Italy - Alto Adige

Question 1

Where is Alto Adige?

Answer 1

Italy’s most northerly wine region, lower slopes of the Dolomites

Question 2

Growing environment of Alto Adige?
Protection from?
How many days of sunshine?

Answer 2

mild Alpine continental climate, protected from cold winds by mountains to the north
300 days of sunshine?
hi diurnal

Question 3

Soils in Alto Adige?

Answer 3

large variety of soils incl
Volcanic, quartz and mica rock, Dolomitic limestone

Question 4

What training systems are used in alto Adige?

Answer 4

traditional Pergola or
Guyot
Steep/high slopes require hand harvest

Question 5

Name the 2 growing zones in the alto Adige DOC

Answer 5

Bassa Atesina - warmer climate
Oltradige - incl Lake Calder area, high altitude

Question 6

Describe Shiava

Answer 6

Shiava aka Vernatsch (German name)
Most planted red grape in Alto Adige
4 separate varieties grown / vinified together hi yields
Pale ruby wine, perfumed violet, strawberry with med to light body and low tannins
Santa Magdalena DOC Shiava and have 15% Lagrein = deeper coloured

Question 7

Lagrein

Answer 7

needs warm site, and lots of sunshine, used for Rosé

Question 8

Describe Wine making in Alto Adige

Answer 8

white - focus on fruit preserving at low to mod temp 12-15℃ in S/S
mid-priced wines on fine lees 4-6 months to give body, premium wines 1 yr
Top reds (Lagrein, Pinot Noir) in French barrieques

Question 9

Pinot Grigio is made in what style Alto Adige?

Answer 9

Dry, light to med body, high acidity (early grape picking) and citrus green fruits No Pinot Grigio delle Venezia DOC is allowed here

Question 10

Wine law: What % of wines are DOC?

Answer 10

98% !!

Question 11

What are the styles of wines allowed in Alto Adige?

Answer 11

1. Biano (75% Chardonnay , P Blanco, P Grigio
2. Single Varietal (85% of named variety)
3. 2 Variety blends - ie, Chardonnay/Pinot Biano

Question 12

What wines are allowed in Alto Adige DOC?

Answer 12

1. Bianco (ie, 75% chardonnay)
2. Single Variety Wines (85% of named variety)
3. 2 variety blends, ie, Chardonnay and pinot bianco

Question 13

Wine Business: what are the vineyard holding in Alto Adige?

Answer 13

Typically v small, 1 ha per grower

Question 14

What % of business do Co-ops account for?

Answer 14

70%

Question 15

What % of Alto Adige wines are sold in Italy? which style mostly?

Answer 15

75% ! Focus on whites and aromatic varieties

Question 16

What is the most important sales sector in Italy?

Answer 16

Tourism
Hospitality
specialist wines shops
small supermarket sales

Question 17

Most important export market?

Answer 17

Germany then USA

Question 18

Where is Shiava mostly sold?

Answer 18

locally and exported to German-speaking countries

Question 19

What is the Alto Adige Logo?

Answer 19

Süditrol - on the caps of bottles by Consortium Alto Adige Wines - the overarching body.