What do you think of when you hear the phrase “Italian wine”?
Chianti from Tuscany, Barolo from Piedmont or perhaps an inexpensive Nero d’Avola from Sicily?
Or, what about reds or whites from Alto Adige? No, I didn’t think that would spring to mind.
Alto Adige (also called Sudtirol) is one of the smallest wine regions in Italy. Pictures of the place make it look absolutely wonderful and I’d love to visit – snow capped mountains, deep valleys and over 300 days of sunshine each year. What makes it a great place to produce wine I read is the diversity of its climate and soils and the quality minded focus of the producers many of whom are small independent producers.
I attended a tasting of wines from the region and I focussed on Pinot Bianco (or Weissburgunder as they call it), Sauvignon Blanc, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Nero and Lagrein.
My top score went to a Pinot Nero but the wines that scored consistently at a silver medal level for me were the Lagreins. The Pinot Biancos had nothing outstanding amongst them and the Sauvignons were varied. Although I enjoyed the Gewürztraminers I think I’d go every time for an Alsace one for its typicity.
The Pinot Neros I thought were all of a good standard, distinctively pinot in style but with good fruit. The Lagreins had great colour and were all surprisingly drinkable as the deep colours suggested big meaty wines. However it turned out they all had a lovely rich ripeness to them with the low acidity and tannins making them very drinkable.
My eyes have been opened to the quality and variety of wines from the Alto Adige. All I need to do now is find someone who sells them!
Chianti from Tuscany, Barolo from Piedmont or perhaps an inexpensive Nero d’Avola from Sicily?
Or, what about reds or whites from Alto Adige? No, I didn’t think that would spring to mind.
Alto Adige (also called Sudtirol) is one of the smallest wine regions in Italy. Pictures of the place make it look absolutely wonderful and I’d love to visit – snow capped mountains, deep valleys and over 300 days of sunshine each year. What makes it a great place to produce wine I read is the diversity of its climate and soils and the quality minded focus of the producers many of whom are small independent producers.
I attended a tasting of wines from the region and I focussed on Pinot Bianco (or Weissburgunder as they call it), Sauvignon Blanc, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Nero and Lagrein.
My top score went to a Pinot Nero but the wines that scored consistently at a silver medal level for me were the Lagreins. The Pinot Biancos had nothing outstanding amongst them and the Sauvignons were varied. Although I enjoyed the Gewürztraminers I think I’d go every time for an Alsace one for its typicity.
The Pinot Neros I thought were all of a good standard, distinctively pinot in style but with good fruit. The Lagreins had great colour and were all surprisingly drinkable as the deep colours suggested big meaty wines. However it turned out they all had a lovely rich ripeness to them with the low acidity and tannins making them very drinkable.
My eyes have been opened to the quality and variety of wines from the Alto Adige. All I need to do now is find someone who sells them!
4 comments:
If you find the wines of Abbazia di Novacella, I would reccomend to try their Kerner.
Thanks for the tip!
Lagrein is my new favourite Italian wine! Very interesting tasting and my favourite part was being served by a Count who was also a winery owner.
Served by a Count? I knew you had style!
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