Alto Adige A wine lover’s guide
Decanter|August 2022
In Italy’s far north, this is a place that’s ripe for exploring, home to dramatic Alpine scenery and superb skiing, Mediterranean vegetation and sweltering summers – and wines that blend Germanic precision with Italian flair
SARAH LANE
Alto Adige A wine lover’s guide

STORY 

Matched in excellence by quality cuisine, the wine culture in Alto Adige (also known as South Tyrol) is deep-rooted. Vines grow at varied altitudes in a Y-shaped area, with the main city, Bolzano, at its heart. Terrains here range from sandy marl and limestone to schist or porphyry, and wide temperature swings make for wines that combine the fresh, fragrant aromas of cooler climates with warm-weather power and complexity. Most come under the six Alto Adige DOC sub-zones, while more specific MGA zones (menzione geografica aggiuntiva: a specific, delimited area within a DOC/G, broadly equivalent to a ‘climat’ in France) are planned.

Bolzano’s appealing historic centre has countless references to wine in road names, frescoes and the cathedral’s medieval ‘wine door’. Protected by mountains, the city registers some of Italy’s hottest summer temperatures and vines flourish here. These include the Lagrein vines surrounding Castel Mareccio (see ‘My perfect day’, p71). The true home of fruity, vibrant purple Lagrein is, however, across the Talvera river in the Gries neighbourhood. At the Muri-Gries monastery (muri-gries.com), a former fortress that’s been home to Benedictines since 1845, benchmark Lagreins include Klosteranger, a single-vineyard Riserva from vines grown within the monastery walls.

This story is from the August 2022 edition of Decanter.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the August 2022 edition of Decanter.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM DECANTERView All
Wine wisdom
Decanter

Wine wisdom

Our regular learning section helps you get more from your glass

time-read
6 mins  |
April 2024
Around ABRUZZO
Decanter

Around ABRUZZO

A stunning, under-explored, year-round destination with an extraordinary natural setting, Abruzzo’s appeal lies in its rustic villages and a sunny-natured, hospitable local character

time-read
4 mins  |
April 2024
UMBRIA A wine lover's guide
Decanter

UMBRIA A wine lover's guide

In the heart of Italy lies an undulating landscape dotted with hilltop villages and draped with olive groves, where winemakers are breathing new life into long-neglected indigenous grape varieties

time-read
6 mins  |
April 2024
Lessons in LAMBRUSCO
Decanter

Lessons in LAMBRUSCO

Coming from the same region of northern Italy as some of the world’s most famous names in food, the wide range of Lambrusco wines provide ample scope for complementing meals both local and international, while refreshing the palate, too

time-read
5 mins  |
April 2024
Sustainable cocktails THE FUTURE?
Decanter

Sustainable cocktails THE FUTURE?

In every industry, it's pretty much the hottest topic right now, but what does the S-word mean when it comes to cocktail-making? Leading experts give us their take and share eco-conscious recipes to replicate at home

time-read
5 mins  |
April 2024
VENTOUX AOC The rising star of the Rhône
Decanter

VENTOUX AOC The rising star of the Rhône

The Southern Rhone appellation is emerging as a community-led force of innovation and sustainability.

time-read
4 mins  |
April 2024
Polkadraai Hills
Decanter

Polkadraai Hills

This lesser-known corner of South Africa’s Stellenbosch region is starting to turn heads, thanks to its special soils and a close-knit community of talented young winemakers

time-read
10 mins  |
April 2024
BY FARR
Decanter

BY FARR

The enigmatic Nick Farr, of Australia's celebrated By Farr winery, is famously reluctant to entertain the wine media or submit samples for tasting. So we jumped at an opportunity to visit the family estate in Geelong to taste some of the country's most sought-after Chardonnay and Pinot Noir

time-read
9 mins  |
April 2024
Brunello di Montalcino 2019: 30 picks from a 5-star vintage
Decanter

Brunello di Montalcino 2019: 30 picks from a 5-star vintage

It's a vintage to bring cheer to Tuscany lovers' hearts, and the first of what is being billed as a strong run of three to come. The successful 2019 Brunello wines offer richness, balance and immediate appeal while also managing to avoid excess

time-read
10+ mins  |
April 2024
Brunello di Montalcino 2019
Decanter

Brunello di Montalcino 2019

It's a vintage to bring cheer to Tuscany lovers' hearts, and the first of what is being billed as a strong run of three to come. The successful 2019 Brunello wines offer richness, balance and immediate appeal while also managing to avoid excess

time-read
4 mins  |
April 2024