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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.
WINES OF NORTHERN ITALY
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