We’ve heard of Alto Adige and many have visited this beautiful area in northern Italy, yet how many wines have we explored that reflect the region’s unique qualities? Although I’m not yet one of the fortunate ones to have spent time there, I’ve poured plenty of wine and experimented with a few recipes for inspiration. If St. Michael Eppan Fallwind 2021 Sauvignon (sent as a sample) is any indication, the region of Alto Adige is rife with vibrancy and I’m already looking forward to visiting when the opportunity arises. My wine colleagues feel the same.
Photo Credit: winesearcher
This month, the #ItalianFWT (Italian Food, Wine, Travel) group on social media are given the choice to delve deep in not only the wines, food and/or history of Alto Adige but in the fascinating area of Friuli, too. Their articles will be published no later than September 2 and you’re invited to join our Twitter (or X) chat on that date at 8am Pacific/11am Eastern. Use the hashtag #ItalianFWT and explore unique stories, recipes for pairing and suggested wines that reflect the distinct characteristics of the regions. The links to their articles follow this.
About Alto Adige
With a population of over 1 million, the majority speak Italian and the remainder speak German and other languages. The region was part of the Holy Roman Empire from the 800s to early 19th century. For the next 100 years, it transferred government rule multiple times until it became part of Italy. Together with the Austrian state of Tyrol, it’s part of the Euroregion Tyrol-South Tyrol-Trentino. In Italy, the area is known as Trentino-Alto Adige.
The region is bordered by Austria in the north and east, by Switzerland in the north and northeast, the Italian area of Lombardy to the west and Veneto to the south and southeast. Almost every view reveals a large part ot he Dolomites mountain range and southern Alps. Trentino is mountainous with vast forests, wide valleys and lakes such as Lake Garda and a varied climate from alpine to subcontinental with mostly warm summers and cold, snowy winters.
South Tyrol is much of the same although the climate is continental thanks to the influence of the mountain ranges that are up to 9800 feet above sea level and the influence of the main river, Adige, that runs north to south. The wide valleys were, years ago, the gateway for transportation from Italy to the rest of Europe. Alto Adige lies north of Trentino, in a glacial valley in which vineyards are planted in horizontal rows. The area is small, with about 13,000 acres but surprisingly, it has 7 unique growing sub-regions.
The main grapes of Alto Adige are whites of Pinot Grigio, Gewurztraminer, Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Muller Thurgau, among others and reds of Merlot and Cabernet, Pinot Noir, Lagrein and Schiava. The white Pinots account for over 20% of the total production. Bright acidity reigns and notes of citrus, stone fruit and slight nutty elements are present.
St. Michael-Eppan Fallwind 2021 Sauvignon
Of course, I could have chosen any wines from Alto Adige – the prices are reasonable and the palate profiles are just my style. However, I opted for St. Michael-Eppan Fallwind 2021 Sauvignon ($30) that was notable.
Founded in 1907, St. Michael-Eppan has carved out a leading role within the world of northern Italian wine. Quality, passion, skill and prestige appear to be the qualities that the estate is known for – it’s one of the “biggest names” in South Tyrol. Leading St. Michael-Eppan is Hans Terzer who works with 340 individual growers to “protect the quality of all the grapes that go into his wines.” In fact, Gambero Rosso has awarded its premier honor of ‘Tre “Bicchieri’ to many wines from the estate.
With so many accolades, I looked forward to the first taste. Intense aromas of stone fruit, ripe pineapple, tropical fruit, honey and mountain breezes wafted from the glass. On the palate, with its round mouthfeel and brisk minerality, offered notes of bright citrus, lemon and lime zest and stone fruit… with a refreshing, broad finish. Thanks to the stony, limestone soils and the cool fall winds (inspiration for the name of the wine), the wine was expressive and balanced. Brilliant.
Cheers! ~ Cindy
For more about Trentino-Alto Adige, enjoy the following articles from my #ItalianFWT colleagues.
Robin Bell Renkin explores Trentino-Alto Adige – Trento, Bolzano and Wines of the Dolomites / Crushed Grape Chronicles
Katarina Andersson explains how Pinot Grigio and Refosco Show Their True Colors in Friuli / Grapevine Adventures
Mike Madaio is “Finding Friulano: an International Journey / Life At Table
Camilla Mann is discovering A Small Sample from the Alto Adige: Whitefish Saltimbocca, Strangolapreti, and a Couple of Schiava / Culinary Cam
Wendy Klik is cooking up Italian Marinated Steaks with Angoris Schioppettino/ A Day in the Life on the Farm
Andrea Lemieux is savoring Elena Walch Schiava with the Flavors of Thailand / The Quirky Cork
