Trentino-South Tyrol

Trentino-South Tyrol is the northernmost region of Italy, nestled between Lombardy, Veneto and Austria. It is formed by the two Autonomous Provinces, the one of Trento and other one of Bolzano.

When I think of it, I think of a coin with two sides: on the one hand the international profile, multicultural and multilingual, of a land that has been able to enhance with its productions the international and national grapes - such as Chardonnay, Pinot Nero , Pinot Grigio, Pinot Bianco, Müller Thurgau - and, on the other hand, a more intimate, traditional and genuine dimension, in which unique productions can be found - such as those of Traminer Aromatico (Gewürztraminer in German), Teroldego, Schiava, Lagrein, Marzemino , Nosiola, etc., etc.

Its alpine climate, made of ample excursions between day and night, and an orography that favors optimal exposures throughout the day (even if difficult to manage due to the slopes) are the basis of the success of its production, that is most made up of white wines (68% of the total in 2017), both still and sparkling.

Having an exclusively mountainous territory, the space for viticulture is limited but cleverly organized and maintained for centuries, so that the region can be considered a historic heritage in the enological field.

Native and local varieties

6% Gewürtztraminer ♦
4% Teroldego ♦
4% Lagrein ♦
4% Schiava Gentile ♦
3% Schiava Grossa ♦
2% Marzemino ♦
1% Moscato Giallo ♦
< 1% Nosiola ♦
< 1% Rossignola ♦
< 1% Rebo ♦
< 1% Schiava Grigia ♦
< 1% Enantio ♦
< 1% Casetta ♦

International varieties

21% Chardonnay ♦
19% Pinot Grigio ♦
7% Müller Thurgau ♦
6% Merlot ♦
4% Pinot Nero ♦
4% Pinot Bianco ♦
3% Sauvignon ♦
2% Cabernet Sauvignon ♦
1% Cabernet Franc ♦
1% Kerner ♦

Trentino 2017 Rosso vs bianco EN red vs white wines

Region

population: 1.068.492 (2018)
area: 13.605 km²
mountains 100% / hills 0% / plains 0%

Vineyards

2017: 14.893 hectares (+1%)
2016: 14.692 hectares (stable)
2015: 14.653 hectares

Wine production

2017: 1.018.205 hectoliters - 68,4 hectoliters/hectare (-16%)
2016: 1.213.028 hectoliters - 82.6 hectoliters/hectare (-1%)
2015: 1.229.989 hectoliters - 83,9 hectoliters/hectare

Classification

DOC wines 91% / IGT wines 8% / generic wines 1%
red wines 32% / white wines 68%

Source: Istat 2018

Trentino-South Tyrol is one of the Italian regions where wine is produced with particular attention to quality. In fact, it has one of the smallest vineyard areas in Italy (about 15,000 hectares in 2017) but, in percentage terms, the greater presence of designations comparing every other region: 91% of its wine is marketed under the DOC appellation.

There are three macro-designations, Alto Adige DOC, Trentino DOC e Valdadige DOC, which cover almost all the vineyards and bring together an articulated group of wines typologies, from reds to whites, from varietals to assemblages, from the local peculiarities of the sub-zones to the sparkling wines. Each of them is almost an oenological reproduction of the traditions, history and orography of the two provinces.

Concerning bubbles, the well known designation Trento DOC has been able to impose itself on a national and international level with its sparkling wines made with the classic method. It is quite large and, like the previous ones, it covers almost all of the viticultural areas of the province of Trento.

The smaller designations (but certainly not less important) instead enhance individual local specificities: Lago di Caldaro DOC, placed between the two provinces, enhances the Schiava grapes, while Teroldego Rotaliano DOC enhances the homonymous vine, the Teroldego.

DOCG wines

none

DOC wines

Alto Adige / Süd Tirol ♦♦♦
Casteller ♦
Lago di Caldaro / Kaltersee ♦
Teroldego Rotaliano ♦♦
Trentino ♦♦♦
Trento ♦♦
Valdadige / Etschtaler ♦♦♦
Valdadige Terradeiforti / Terradeiforti ♦♦

IGT wines

Mitterberg ♦♦♦
Trevenezie ♦♦♦
Vallagarina ♦♦♦
Vigneti delle Dolomiti / Weinberg Dolomiti ♦♦♦