Alto Adige / Sudtirol Flashcards
How many DOCs are in Alto Adige/Sudtirol?
Name them.
3 DOCs
- Alto Adige/Sudtirol DOC (!)
- Lago di Caldaro/Kaltenersee (!)
- Valdadige / Etschtaler DOC
The last two are shared with Trentino
This red variety has been grown in Alto Adige/Sudtriol since the middle of 19th century with current planting around 7% of the total area under vine.
It thrives in Bassa Atesina district on the west facing slopes (the east side) ofthe Adige /Etsch River around the towns of Egna/Neumarkt, Montagna/Montan and Mazzone.
Pinot Nero / Blauburgunder
What does Schiava mean in Italian?
“female slave”
The grape varieties have been tied to poles as opposed to growing freely in trees.
Which area produces the most quantity of Schiava in Alto Adige?
Lago di Caldaro/Kalterersee DOC (!)
True or False
Due to alpine climate, the area around Bolzano is not suitable to grow vines.
False
Becuase of surrouding mountains effectively serving as a heat sink, Bolzano is one of the hottest areas in all of Italy.,
What are the two exceptions that are not varietally labelled for Alto Adige/Sudtirol DOC (!)?
- Tranditional method sparkling wine
- Alto Adige/Sudtirol Weiss, blend based on Chardonnay, PInot Bianco, PInot Grigio
Alto Adige is bodered by:
To the north (country)?
To the west (country and region)?
To the east (country and region)?
To the south (region)?
- Austria to the north
- ‘Switzerland and Lombardia to the west
- Austria and Veneto to the east
- Trentino to the south
True or False
Majority of wine produced for Alto Adige/Sudtirol DOC are varietals, however white blends of two varieties are allowed but should have both varieties appear on the label.
True
What is the DOC category for traditional sparkling wines in Alto Adige/Sudtirol DOC?
Spumante Metodo Classico Alto Adige/Sudtirol DOC
This Moscato family grape is crafted a prized and unique dessert wine of considerable renown.
The grape is more widespread in Alto Adige / Sudtirol than in Trentino and the former is said to produce teh best examples of the two.
Moscato Rosa / Rosenmuskateller
What is the main river that crosses Alto Adige and what is its main tributary?
Adige/Etsch River
Isarco/Eisack River
This grape produces world class wine in Alto Adige / Sudtirol today. It has been grown in the area since 1850s and quickly became one of the leading white grape varaeties in the region.
The winegrowing districts of Oltradige/Uberetsch (partiuclarly around the town of Appiano/Epian) and Valdadige produce the best expressions of this grape.
PInot Bianco / Weissburgunder (!)
What is the main grape variety growin in Merano/Meran district?
Schiava
What is the red traditional and native grape that is still the most commonly planted “variety” in Alto Adige?
Schiava / Vernatsch (!)
One of the best examples of this white grape variety in Italy is produced in Alto Adige today Often labeled without “Blanc”.
Sauvignon Blanc (!)
Who were the Rhaeti?
An ancient Alpine people of Etruscan origin, Rhaeti tribe culitvated vines in Alto Adige before the terriotry was conquered by the Roman Empire in 15 BC.
List six Alto Adige/Sudtirol Schiava appellations (including two not of the DOC).
- Alto Adige/Sudtirol Schiava DOC
- Alto Adige Santa Maddalena/Sudtirol St.Magdalener DOC
- Alto Adige Meranese/Sudtirol Meraner DOC
- Alto Adige Colli di Bolzano/Sudtirol Bozner Leiten DOC
- Lago di Caldaro/Kalterersee DOC
- Valdadige/Etschtaler Schiava DOC
What does Dunkel mean as it accompanies Lagrein on the wine label?
Dark
True or False
Schiava does not refer to a single variety but rather to a group of unrelated varieties that share common characteristics.
True
True or False
Alto Adige/Sudtirol grows 10% to Europe’s total apple prodcuction.
True
Where (hamlet) is said to produce the most distingushed Lagrein within Bolzano/Bozen district?
Hamlet of Gries on the flat, greavelly sandy plain
True or False
Most of the wines produced in Alto Adige/Sudtirol fall within the Alto Adige/Sudtirol DOC category, very few of them are labeled using the inter-regional IGT designation Vigneti delle Dolomiti.
True
What is the percentage of land cultivable in Alto Adige?
15%
What is the traditional training system in Alto Adige/Sudtirol?
Pergola Trentina
Usually smaller in size and closer to the ground than Trentino.
Increasingly replaced by Guyot system.
This German Riesling x Schiava cross is generally considered one of the most successful crosses in terms of complexity and aromatic quality.
It is predominantly planted on high altitude sites in the Isarco Valley/Eisacktal and Venosta Valley/Vinschgau.
Kerner
List seven main winegrowing districts of Alto Adige/Sudtirol.
- Bassa Atesina/Unterland
- Oltradige/Uberetsch
- Bolzano/Bozen
- Val d’Adige/Etschtal
- Merano/Meran
- Valle Isarco/Eisacktal
- Val Venosta/Vinschgau
True or False
Of the three main valleys in Alto Adige, Adige Valley is the steepest.
False
Isarco/Eisacktal and Venosta/Vinschgau have steepest slopes
What is the capital of Alto Adige/Sudtirol?
Bolzano/Bozen
Which grape has been grown in Termeno / Tramin for centuries, the town considered to be the place of origin for Gewurztraminer?
Traminer
Where area is said to be the historic home of Gewurztraminer in Alto Adige/Sudtirol?
The west side of Bassa Atesina/Unterland winegrowing district around the towns of Termeno/Tramin and Cortaccia/Kurtatsch.
Which district in Alto Adige is the southernmost district with vineyards on both banks of the Adige/Etsch River?
Bassa Atesina/Unterland
This grape is able to express its real potential when planted in Alto Adige / Sudtirol’s steep slopes at high altitude, particularly in the cool valleys of Isarco/Eisactal and Venosta/Vinschgau.
Muller Thurgau(!)
What German grape varieties (4) are placed special emphasis in cool winegrowing area of Valle Isarco/Eisacktal?
German varieties such as Silvaner (Sylvaner), Riesling, Muller Thurgau and Kernar.
What wine/grape variety is considered as everyday wine of Alto Adige?
Schiava (!)
True or False;
Alto Adige is Italy’s northernmost winegrowing area.
True
What five grape varieties represented by Ausria’s legacy and are excelling in cooler Isarco Valley and Venosta Valley?
- Syilvaner (Sylvener)
- Kerner
- Muller Thurgau
- Riesling
- Gruner Veltliner
Which district is the northernmost winegrowing area in Italy, boasting some of the highest vineyards in Alto Adige?
Valle Isarco / Eisacktal
This sub zone is located on the hills surrounding Bolzano/Bozen and is dedicated to Schiava.
Colli di Bolzano/Bozner Leiten
This district has its major wine center in Terlano/Terlan and covers the area northwest of Bolzano/Bozen south of Merano/Meran. The area is characterized by its typical red porphry soils.
Val d’Adige / Etschtal
Which wine (blend) is the only red wine permitted within Isarco Valley/Eisacktal sub zone of Alto Adige/Sudtirol?
Alto Adige Valle Isarco Klausner Laitacher DOC
Blend of Schiava, Lagrein, Portugieser and PInot Nero
This area represents the northwestern extention of the Adige Valley, previously dedicated to apple orchards and has become a recent center of new vineyard development.
Val Venosta/Vinschgau
True or False
Alto Adige is the only region in Italy that does not employ Italian as its primary language.
True
What are noteworthy wines made by two grape varieties in Val d’Adige / Etschtal district?
- Sauvignon Blanc
- PInot Bianco
What are addtional designations for Lago di Caldaro/Kalterer See DOC based on historic area and higher alcohol content? (4)
- Classico/Ilassisch from the smaller historic area
- Scelto/auslese min 11.5% abv
- Superiore min 11% abv
- Scelto classico superiore 12% abv
List nine most widely planted grapes in Alto Adige/Sudtirol.
- Schiava - 14%
- PInot Grigio - 12%
- Gewurztraminer - 11%
- PInot Bianco - 10%
- Chardonnay - 10%
- Lagrein - 8%
- Pinot Nero - 8%
- Sauvignon Blanc - 7%
- Muller Thurgau - 4%
True or False
Alto Adige is part of the administrative region of Trentino-Alto Adige.
True
However it is an autonomous province and should be regarded separtely from Trentino.
What word is Lagrein Rosato wine, particulary prized, usually labeled as?
Kretzer
What grape has been traced by DNA profiling as Traminer grape, traditionally grown in Termeno/Tramin in Alto Adige but no longer planted there today?
Savagnin Blanc
This grape variety has been proved to be an offspring of Teroldego but is not easy to grow, prone to poor flowering.
It has one of the highest anthocyanin concentrations of all Italian reds.
It is often referd to as Scuro/Dunkel (dark).
Lagrein (!)
Which sub-zone of Alto Adige / Sudtriol DOC is considered to be the regional historic home of Sauvginon, the sub zone for white wine only?
Terlano / Terlaner (!)
What is an inter-regional DOC shared between Alto Adige/Sudtirol, Trentino and Veneto.
The principal wines produced under this appellation are Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Bianco and Schiava.
Valdadige/Etschtaler DOC
Which grape varieties make high quality wine in Val Venosta winegrowing distcrict? (3)
Muller Thurgau
Riesling
Pinot Bianco
Which is correct as relate to Alto Adige:
- Most isolated
- Most independent
- Most distinct identity of all the Italian regions
- Strongest self governing administrative powers of the five autonomious regions of Italy
- All of the above
- All of the above
List six sub zone, previously spearate DOCs that have been converted to sub zones under the main catch all appellation Alto Adige/Sudtirol DOC/
- Terlano/Terlaner (!)
- Valle Isarco/Eisacktaler (!)
- Valle Venosta / Vinschgau
- Santa Madelena / St.Magadlener (!)
- Colli di Bolzano / Bozner Leiten
- Meranese / Meraner
What are two of the largest cultivation areas in Alto Adige located in Oltradige/uberetsch?
- Lago di Caldaro/Kalterer See (Lake Kaltern)
- Town of Appiano/Eppan
Which major city in Alto Adige doe the Adige/Etsch River pass through?
After Alto Adige region, which two nearby regions the river passes through?
Where doe it empty?
Bolzano
Trentino and Veneto
the Adriatic Sea
Which traditional red grape variety is particularly well known in Oltradige/Uberetch winegrowing district?
Schiava
Which town in Isarco Valley/Eusacktal can add their town name after the sub-zone to the designation?
Bressanone / Brixner
Production in this sub zone of Alto Adige/Sudtirol DOC is almost entirely focused on whtie varieties that are planted on high altitude sites.
Here Sylvaner (Silvaner), Kerner and Muller Thurgau excel.
Valle Isarco / Eisacktaler (!)
What makes Alto Adige a sucessful winegrowing area? (4)
- Ample sunshie (300 days)
- Average growing season temperature of 64 F/18 C
- Steady breezes to offset humidity
- Wide diurnal temperature swing
While mainly continental climate, Ora del Garda reaches into Alto Adige (Bolzano is only 50 mi/80n km) from Lake Garda.
Three main valleys of Alto Adige form the letter Y.
Which valley is the left arm of Letter Y (west)?
Which valley forms the the right arm of Letter Y (east)?
Which is the central valley?
Venosta/Vinschgau Valley in the north west
Isarco Valley/Eisacktal in the north east
Adige Valley/Etchtal in the central
Which major winegrowing district is considered the heart of the Alto Adige/Sudtirol and lies to the north of Bassa Atesina?
Oltradige/Uberetsch
Which grapes (3) produce Spumante Metodo Classico Alto Adige/Sudtirol DOC?
Pinot Bianco
Chardonnay
Pinot Nero
What DOC has the most wines produced in Alto Adige/Sudtirol?
Alto Adige/Sudtrol DOC (!)
Which four grape varieties are most well known in Bassa Atesina, the southernmost distirct in Alto Adige? (4)
- Gewurztraminer
- Muller Thugau
- PInot Nero
- Pinot Grigio
Wines made from Lagrein from its historic small hamlet can have a special designation attached to Alto Adige/Sudtirol DOC. What is it?
Lagrein wine made in a hamlet of Gries near Bolzano can add their desingation, Alto Adige Lagrein di Gries/Sudtirol Grieser Lagrein.
Which two red grape varieties historically dominated Alto Adige/Sudtirol plantings to craft light bodied red wines to satisfy the various needs of Austria and other German speaking countries?
- Schiava
- Lagrein
True or False
80% of total wine production in Alto Adige are from small family owned estates.
False
Wine production in Alto Adige/Sudtirol is largely dominated by cooperatives. They account for almost 80% of the region’s total wine production.
What is synonym for Schiava in Ato Adige/Sudtirol?
What is Schiava called in most of Gemany and Austria?
What is it called in Wurttemberg, a German wine region?
- Vernatsch (meaning native) in Alto Adige/Sudtirol
- Trollinger in Germany and Austria
- Urban in Wurttemberg
Match Alto Adige/Sudtirol Sub-zones with its Principal grape(S):
- Terlano / Terlaner (!)
- Valle Isarco/Eisacktaler(!)
- Valle Venosta/Vinschgau
- Santa Maddalena/St.Magdalener(!)
- Colli di Bolzano/Bozner Leiten
- Meranese/Meraner
Grapes:
A. Schiava (used in more than one sub-zones)
B. Riesling/Kerner/Muller Thurgau/Pinot Bianco
C. Sylvaner/Kerner/Muller Thurgau/Schiava/Lagrein
D. Sauvignon Blanc/Pinot Bianco
- Terlano - D. Sauvignon
- Valle Isarco - C. Sylvaner
- Valle Venosta - B. Riesling
- Santa Maddalena - A. Schiava (the historic home)
- Colli di Bolzano - A. Schiava
- Meranese - A. Schiava
What is the percentage of plantings by white varieties in Alto Adige?
What are the percentage of the region’s total white wine production with international grapes?
60%
70%
This winegrowing district, hottest in Alto Adige, is renowned for red wines made from Lagrein and Schiava.
Bolzano/Bozen
What is Lagrein Rosato style called locally?
Kretzer
What two red grapes make up the majority (60%) of the red vineyard area and one third of total plantings in Alto Adige?
- Lagrein
- Schiva
What is the minimum percentage required for Schiava for Lago di Caldaro/Kaltersee DOC (!)?
85%
Located on the hills surrounding the city of Merano/Meran, this sub-zone is dedicated to Schiava.
Meranese / Meraner
The name of this sub-zone comes from a lake nearby found in the lower part of the Oltradige/Uberetsch winegrowing district.
The DOC is shared between Alto Adige/Sudtirol and Trentino.
This is a traditional and quantitively important DOC for Alt Adige/Sudtirol as it produces the largest quantify of Schiava in the entrie region.
Lago di Caldaro/Kalterersee DOC (!)
Located on the slopes to the north of Bolzano/Bozen, this sub-zone is the historic home of Schiava and is considered the most prestigeous zone of production for this variety.
Santa Maddalena / St.Magdalener (!)
What is the percentage of Alto Adige/Sudtirol’s total wine production in Italy?
Less than 1%
However it has one of the highest proportions of DOC wines in Italy
Which major city in Alto Adige Isarco/Eisack River passes through?
Where does the river joins Adige/Etsch River?
Bressanone
Bolzano/Bozen
Although non-native, this white grape is a traditional variety of Alto Adige / Sudtirol and is. the third most widely planted grape.
The Alto Adige/Sudtirol versions have the high alcohol levels and rich texture typical of this variety but they tend to be fresher, less heavy and less opulent than produced elsewhere.
Gewurztraminer (!)
This German variety has become one of the most interesting grapes planted in Alto Adige/Sudtirol. Valle Isarco/Eisactal accounts for 95% of the total plantings and produces distinctive version from its high altitude, terraced vineyards.
Sylvaner (Silvaner) (!)
This newest sub-zone of Alto Adige/Sudtirol has particular focus on Riesling, Kerner, Muller Thurgau and PInto Bianco. The wines are steely and high in acid due to cool climate conditions.
Valle Venosta / Vinschgau
These varieties have been grown in Alto Adige/Sudtirol since the end of 19th century.
They are primarily grown in the southern districts of Oltradige/Uberetsch and Bassa Atesina / Unterland where they can ripen more easily.
Most of the fruit is bottled as varietal wine.
Bordeaux varieties
Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc can be. bound and blended together and labeled as simply “Cabernet”.
What are three main varieties under the Schiava umbrella?
Which variety is the most widely planted?
- Grossa
- Gentile
- Grigia
Vineyards have a mix and wine blend of three but Grossa dominating the mix.
What is an aromatic, pink berried version of Savagnin Blanc (Traminer)?
What is non-aromatic pink-berried mutation of Savagnin Blanc?
Gewurztraminer
Klevener
True or False
Alto Adige has been Tyrolean since the 12th century and still considers itself Sudtirol despite the post WWI political realignment that incoproated this province into the Kingdom of Italy.
True
This international white variety is the second most widely planted grape in Alto Adige.
Pinot Grigio (!)
Often confused with Moscato Bianco (Muscat Blanc a Petits Grains), this grape is an Italian variety native to Trentino - Alto Adige.
It produces rich dessert wines as well as perfumed dry white wines.
Moscato Giallo / Goldenmuskateller