Trentino Flashcards
The administrative region of Trentino-Alto Adige takes its name from which two autonomous and historic provinces of which it is composed?
1) Trento (Trentino)
2) Bolzano (Alto Adige in Italian or Sudtirol in German)
Trentino-Alto Adige were once under the rule of what power?
Both provinces were under Austrian rule at one point and incorporated into the Austrian territory of South Tyrol (Sudtirol).
When were Trentino-Alto Adige made a part of the Kingdom of Italy?
After the end of WWI (1919).
How do the people of Alto Adige identify?
They consider themselves Tyrolean, not Italian or Austrian. (Much like the people of Alsace feel Alsatian, not French or German).
What is the principal language spoken in Alto Adige?
German
Alto Adige has more in common with Austria than Italy.
Why are Alto Adige and Trentino administratively linked?
After WWII, the Italian Government combined the two as one region in an attempt to curtail Alto Adige’s independent spirit and reduce separatist tensions.
It was hoped that the two provices would integrate once linked, but that never happened.
Trentino continues to identify itself with Italy, despite is wine commerce with German markets.
Alto Adige continues to be insular in mindset.
What has been a strong influence on the wine industry of Trentino?
The Austrian Empire; which ruled this part of Italy during the 18th and 19th centuries.
Due to this, Trentino has been, and is, a reliable source of wine for the north-central European markets.
How much of Trentino’s wine production qualifies as DOC?
More than 80%; one of the highest percentages in all of Italy.
What is the Instituto Agrario di San Michele all’Adige (Foundazione Edmund Mach)?
It is an agricultural school and research center in the former Augustinian monastery of San Michele all’Adige in northern Trentino that was created by Edmund Mach in 1874. The aim was to increase agricultural production through experimentation and education of growers and producers.
The property consists of a wine cellar, a distillery and about 120 hectares of land planted to vines and apple trees.
Where is Trentino located?
In northeast Italy, topographically falling within the southern part of the Italian Alps. Alto Adige lies to the north. Lombardy lies to the west and southwest; Veneto lies to the east and southeast.
What are the topographical features of Trentino?
Trentino is mountainous; 70% of it lies above 3,300ft/1000m in elevation.
The Adige River runs down the center from north to south, forming the wide Valdadige (Adige Valley). It expands 40 miles/65km and is flanked on both sides by the Alps.
The Dolomites (Dolomiti) are to the northeast of both Trentino and Alto Adige.
Name the rivers of Trentino.
1) Adige River
2) Sarca River
3) Avisio River
4) Brenta River
Where is the Sarca River located?
The Sarca runs south in the western edge of Trentino and flows into Lake Garda, located southwest of Trentino.
Where is the Avisio River located?
The Avisio flows southwest through Trentino from the alps in the northeast to join with the Adige just north of Trento.
Where is the Brenta River located?
The Brenta flows east across Trentino and Veneto, eventually spilling into the Adriatic Sea.
What influence do the Dolomites have on the climate in Trentino?
The Dolomites protect Trentino and Alto Adige from the cold winds coming from the northeast.
What altitude are vineyards in Trentino planted at?
On the valley floor: 600-1,000ft/200-300m.
On the higher slopes: 2,600-3,300ft/800-1,000m
How much area does Trentino have under vine?
24,000ac/10,000ha
Name the 4 main winegrowing areas in Trentino.
1) Valdadige (Adige Valley)
2) Val di Cembra (Cembra Valley)
3) Valle dei Laghi (Valley of the Lakes)
4) Valsugana (Sugana Valley)
The 4 regions correspond to the region’s 4 principal valleys.
Which is the main valley in Trentino in terms of size and production?
Valdadige (Adige Valley)
The majority of Trentino’s vineyards lie along the wide relatively fertile, alluvial floor of the Adige River Valley and its slopes.
Name the major winegrowing districts in Valdadige.
1) Campo Rotaliano or Piana Rotaliana (Rotaliano Plain)
-In the northern part
2) Vallagrina (Lagarina Valley)
-lies south of Trento & extends to the Veneto border
Which tributary valley in Trentino boasts steeply terraced vineyards on purple porphyritic rocks?
Val di Cembra (Cembra Valley)
Which valley in Trentino banks the Sarca River as it flows to Lake Garda with several small lakes situated along it?
Valle dei Laghi (Valley of the Lakes)
Which valley in Trentino is formed by the Brenta River and has vineyards planted on slopes?
Valsugana (Sugana Valley)