Alto Adige/Suditrol

Question 1

Describe the wine industry in the past and present for AA

Answer 1

-Extremely old, dates back to Rhaeti tribe (Eustracans)
-One of the oldest regions in German-speaking Europe
-Light red wines exported to Germany were traditional
-Moved towards quality wines in 1990s following German precision and consistent styles
-Cooperative dominated (80%) smaller sized co’ops

Question 2

Where are the wine growing regions in AA located?

Answer 2

All in glacial valleys
1. Venosta Valley in N/W (left are of Y) where Adige river begins
2. Isarco Valley in N/E (right arm of Y)

Only 15% of land is cultivated. Floors for apples, hills for grapes

Question 3

What is the climate of AA?

Answer 3

Continental (rather than alpine) because of mediterreran and Lake Garda’s influence moderates
Sunny, diurnal swings
Avg temp 64
Around Bolzano geological basin so traps heat in summer (near Bolzano)

Question 4

Name the 6 wine growing districts in AA

Answer 4

1. Baissa Atesina (Unterland)
2. Oltradige
3. Bolzano
4. Val d’Adige
5. Merano
6. Valle Iscaro

Question 5

What are the NtK varieties in AA - 3 red, 4 white

Answer 5

Schiava (r)
Lagrien (r)
Pinot Nero

Gewurztraminer (w)
Pinot Bianco/Weissburgunder
Muller Thurgau
Sylvaner

Question 6

What does the term Schiava refer to?

Answer 6

A group of unrelated varieties that share common characteristics

Translates to “female slave”

Grapes look like table grapes and are approachable, light color & body, low tannin, high acid

Native to Alto Adige

Grossa most planted variety

Question 7

What are the most widely planted varieties in AA?

Answer 7

Schiava
Pinot Grigio
Gewurz
Pinot Bianco
Chardonnay

Question 8

What blend would a Terlano with no variety listed be?

Answer 8

50% Pinot Bianco and/or 50% Chardonnay and some Sauv Blanc

Question 9

What are the 6 Schiava appellations in AA?

Answer 9

1. AA/Suditrol Schiava DOC
2. AA Santa Maddalena DOC
3. AA Meranese DOC
4. AA Colli di Bolzano DOC
5. Lago di Caldaro DOC
6. Valdadige Schiava DOC

Question 10

What soils types does Schiava and Lagrein do best on?

Answer 10

Alluvial, gravelly-sandy in Alto Adige

Question 11

What soils types does Gewurtraminer do best on?

Answer 11

Lime rich soils in Alto Adige

Question 12

What soils types does Sauvignon do best on?

Answer 12

Gravel terraced slopes in AA

Question 13

What soils types does Sylvaner do best on?

Answer 13

Weathered, rocky soil

Question 14

Describe where in AA Bolzano, Basa Atesina, Venosta Valley and Isarco Valley are and the soil types

Answer 14

Bolazano - middle of the Y. Volcanic
Basa A. S/W near Trentino and dolomites- Limestone and dolomite
Venosta Valley - N/W, top left of Y. Sandy, infertile
Isarco - N/E, top right of Y. Weather schist, gneiss and slate

Question 15

Describe characteristics of Lagrein

Answer 15

Related to Teroldego
Red wine so dark it is called dunkel (dark)
Rosato styles called kretzler
High tannin and acid

Town: Greis in AA can be on label

Question 16

What are the varieties grown in Val d’Adige?

Answer 16

Sauv Blanc, Pinot Bianco

Question 17

What varieties are grown in Isarco Valley?

Answer 17

German varietals: Sylvaner, Riesling, Muller Thurgau, Kerner

-think furthest north/closest to Austria

Question 18

What grapes are grown in Merano?

Answer 18

Schiava

(In Alto Adige)

Question 19

What grapes are grown in Val Venosta?

Answer 19

M-T, Riesling, Pinot Bianco

-used to be apple orchards now center of new vineyard development

Question 20

What varieties are grown in Oltradige and sub-regions?

Answer 20

Sub-regions: Lago di Caldaro & Appiano

Schiava

“Heart” of AA wine district

Question 21

What grapes are grown in Bolzano?

Answer 21

Lagrein (r) Schiava (r)

In Alto Adige, foot of valleys makes a heat trap

Question 22

Describe Alto Adige politically?

Answer 22

Most isolated and independent of the 5 autonomous regions
Officially bi-lingual but German principal language
A “country within a country”

Question 23

What are the styles of AA/Suditrol DOC?

Answer 23

General:
Mainly single varietal
If blend of two grapes, names of both will appear on labels. Applies to red and white
Can be released as riserva after 2 yrs aging (except Schiava and M-T)
Whites - can be vendemmia tardive & passito

Specific:
Lagrein can be added to label. Red or rosato (kretzer)
Weiss - white blend of Chard, PB, PG
-Must be varietally labeled (85% or more)

Question 24

What are the grapes and styles in Lago di Caldaro/Kalterersee

Answer 24

Schiava, 85%
Light, refreshing style
Can be Classico
Auslese - scelto 11.5% min ABV

Region is largest producer of Schiava in AA; inter regional with Trentino

Question 25

What are the towns in Val d’Adige?

Answer 25

Terlano, Andreano, Nalles

Question 26

What is the grape and style of Terlano

Answer 26

Sauvignon - historical home

Pinot Bianco

Chard, M-T, Pinot Grigio

Question 27

What are the grapes and style of Sta Maddalena?

Answer 27

Schiava

Fuller, more structured. Grows in Bolzano heat trap

Question 28

What are the DOCGs in Alto Adige/Suditrol?

Answer 28

None

Question 29

What regions can append Classico in Alto Adige?

Answer 29

Santa Maddalena
Terlano

Question 30

What is Italy’s northernmost wine growing region?

Answer 30

Alto Adige
Specifically Valle Isarco

Question 31

What are synonyms for Schiava?

Answer 31

Vernatsch
Trollinger
Urban

Question 32

Where is the historic home of Sauvignon in Alto Adige?

Answer 32

Terlano