Trentino-Alto Adige

Question 1

The mountainous, landlocked Trentino-Alto Adige region is subdivided into what 2 nearly autonomous provinces?

Answer 1

The Italian-speaking Trentino in the south and the German-speaking Alto-Adige or Südtirol, in the north

Question 2

What multi-regional DOC encapsulates Trentino-Alto Adige and Verona in Veneto?

Answer 2

Valdadige DOC (not often used)

Question 3

The majority of wines are released under what?

Answer 3

Trentino and Alto-Adige (Südtiroler) DOCs

Question 4

What varietally labeled wines are allowed in Trentino?

Answer 4

Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Bianco, Müller-Thurgau, and Sauvignon Blanc

Question 5

What grape is heavily utilized in Alto Adige DOC and makes intensely aromatic wines?

Answer 5

Gewürztraminer—a grape whose name (if not its actual origin) is linked to local village of Tramin

Question 6

Within the northeastern reaches of Alto Adige, what subzone is quickly gaining recognition for high-quality wines frequently produced from German and Austrian varieties?

Answer 6

Valle Isarco (Eisacktaler in German)

Question 7

What is Kerner?

Answer 7

A modern Schiava Grossa x Riesling crossing

Question 8

Pinot Bianco finds its best expression where?

Answer 8

in the Oltradige just south of Bolzano, near the town of Appiano.

Question 9

What DOC subzone, just west of the capital in the Val d’Adige growing zone, has a long history of white wines blended from Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco, and Sauvignon Blanc?

Answer 9

Terlano, delivered in both oaked and unoaked styles. It is also the home of one of Italy’s most respected cooperatives.

Question 10

Trentino-Alto Adige is primarily known for its white wines, but the region supplies what?

Answer 10

a larger quantity of reds than whites

Question 11

What is the predominant grape in Trentino-Alto Adige?

Answer 11

Schiava (Vernatsch- german name)

Question 12

Schiava is actually a name for a group of grapes, what are some of the genetically distinct varieties?

Answer 12

Schiava Gentile(Piccola), Schiava Grossa, Schiava Grigia(Grauvernatsch)

Question 13

What historically important subzone is the premier geographical appellation for Schiava varietal wines?

Answer 13

Santa Maddelena (St. Magdelener) subzone

Question 14

What DOC in Trentino allows Schiava to be blended with Merlot and Lambrusco?

Answer 14

Casteller DOC

Question 15

What DOC in the south of Alto Adige is shared by both provinces and is similar in style to Santa Maddelena?

Answer 15

Lago di Caldaro DOC (Kalterersee)

Question 16

What grape is native to Trentino but thrives in Alto Adige, where it produces a denser, spicier wine than Schiava?

Answer 16

Lagrein

Question 17

What is the finest growing area for Lagrein?

Answer 17

centered in the flatter growing area of Gries, just outside of Bolzano; the wines here are released under the general DOC but often with an indication of the area on the label

Question 18

What are favored growing areas for white grapes?

Answer 18

Higher elevations

Question 19

What competes with grapes in the Trentino-Alto Adige region?

Answer 19

Apples! 10% of Europe’s entire production of apples occurs here

Question 20

Pinot Nero is becoming increasingly important in the region, and the best examples come from where?

Answer 20

the eastern side of the Bassa Atesina, Alto Adige’s southernmost growing zone

Question 21

What grape can produce deeply colored wines in Trentino’s Teroldego Rotaliano DOC?

Answer 21

The red Teroldego grape

Question 22

What grape, a genetic progeny of Teroldego and sibling of Lagrein, is one of the major Trentino DOC red varieties?

Answer 22

The ancient Marzemino

Question 23

What grapes have been steadily increasing in importance and plantings in both provinces, where producers have the opportunity to underscore the grapes’ fragrant qualities?

Answer 23

Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Pinot Nero

Question 24

Trentino-Alto Adige does not contain any what?

Answer 24

DOCG zones; however, as of 2000 over 75% of the region’s production is of DOC quality, placing it foremost amongst Italy’s twenty regions in relative percentage of DOC production

Question 25

Over three-quarters of the region’s output is dominated what?

Answer 25

co-ops