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WINES OF NORTHERN ITALY
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Trentino-Alto Adige
Historically, Trentino-Alto Adige region did not see the kind of upheaval the rest of Italy had to
endure. The southern areas (Trentino) were incorporated into the Holy Roman Empire, ceded to the
Hapsburgs, and eventually left under the control of the Marquisate of Verona. The northern areas
(Alto Adige), part of the Bavarian controlled country of Tyrol, were incorporated by the Hapsburgs,
then the Kingdom of Italy, and other Germanic tribes. Finally, Bolzano or Alto Adige, came under the
control of the Duchy of Bavaria. These competing influences of Italian Verona and German Bavaria
resulted in a cultural confluence.
The blend of German and Italian culture is found in the region’s wines. In Alto Adige, the wines are
typically German varietalsmade in an Italian style. Müller-Thurgau, Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Sauvignon
Blanc, Lagrein, and Pinot Gris make up the majority of these wines. Not only are some of the grapes of
German origin, but the wines also show a mineralic character reminiscent of the Rheingau and Mosel.
Trentino Pinot Grigio and Lagrein are two of the easiest wines to drink in today’s marketplace. While
the Trentino-Alto Adige region boasts no DOCG wines, it does produce the largest percentage of
quality wine in Italy. Nearly 80% of the wine produced in the region falls under a DOC.