Wines from South Tyrol and Trentino

The autochthonous Lagrein grape grows in the middle hills between 250 and 400 metres, where clay meets calcareous inclusions, to produce one of the most characterful rosés in South Tyrol. The traditional Tramin winery, founded in 1898 by the visionary priest Christian Schrott, preserves a centuries-old South Tyrolean tradition with its Lagrein Kretzer. Pink to light ruby red in colour, the wine shimmers in the glass and develops a delicate, pleasantly fruity bouquet. The extreme interplay between sunny, Mediterranean-influenced days and cold down winds from the mountains gives it that lively freshness that is stimulating and invigorating on the palate. A classic South Tyrolean rosé with an authentic character. SUPERIORE.DE

Terraced vineyards at an altitude of 600 metres surround the traditional Liebrain farm in the Isarco Valley, where Silvaner has found its home for over two centuries. Weathered porphyry soils and extreme day-night temperature fluctuations give this crystal-clear white wine its purist character. The late harvest between the end of September and the beginning of October allows for optimal ripeness while maintaining the typical freshness.

Professor Hermann Müller's legendary cross between Riesling and Madeleine Royal finds its alpine perfection on Andrian's calcareous dolomite soils between 500 and 700 metres. The east-facing slopes provide the temperature-sensitive grapes with morning freshness. Temperature-controlled fermentation in stainless steel, followed by six months of ageing on the lees, provides additional texture.

A white wine from the heights. Peter Zemmer's Müller Thurgau thrives at 800 metres above sea level on terraced slopes in the South Tyrolean lowlands. The cross between Riesling and Madeleine Royal – named after the Swiss botanist Hermann Müller from the canton of Thurgau – finds ideal conditions here on calcareous gravel soils from moraine sediments. The exposed altitude, gentle slope and optimal sunlight ensure that the grapes ripen slowly and evenly.

Andrian's Burgundian classic finds its southern Alpine interpretation between 300 and 500 metres on calcareous clay-dolomite soils. These lower-lying sites offer the Pinot Bianco optimal ripening conditions: early morning sunshine with sufficient coolness for the thin-skinned, pressure-sensitive berries. Temperature-controlled fermentation in stainless steel and six months of refinement on the fine lees give Finado its characteristic texture and complexity.

On the well-aerated limestone-porphyry soils between 260 and 380 metres, the world's most widespread white grape variety thrives to southern Alpine perfection. These medium altitudes around Andriano provide the ideal microclimate for Chardonnay: Mediterranean warmth with night-time cooling for optimum flavour development. The grapes are hand-selected, fermented at a controlled temperature in stainless steel and matured on the fine lees for six months, giving Somereto its characteristic creaminess and texture.

Above Bolzano, where old gravel paths lead through sun-drenched vineyards, lies the legendary Huck am Bach farm, which gives its name to one of the most authentic red wines in South Tyrol. Between 250 and 500 metres above sea level, the Vernatsch and Lagrein vines that have been at the heart of the St. Magdalener tradition for generations thrive here on mineral-rich gravel soils. The harvest harvest produces grapes that mature in large oak barrels into a wine of enchanting elegance.

Oenologist Stephan Filippi deliberately selects special vineyards in Überetsch and Ritten for this Sauvignon Bianco, where dry sandy soils and the alpine climate give the grape variety its characteristic expressiveness. Controlled vinification after the harvest harvest takes place exclusively in stainless steel in order to optimally preserve the natural freshness and flavour. Straw yellow in colour with greenish reflections. In the glass, it immediately unfolds its typical vegetal spectrum: tomato leaves and nettles meet spicy sage, while yellow peach and lime provide fruity accents. Subtle acacia flowers round off the complex bouquet. On the palate, the delicate freshness paired with structural depth leads to a lingering, harmonious finish. SUPERIORE.DE

The grapes for this smooth red wine thrive on loamy, calcareous soils with gravelly subsoil in the hills around Tramin. The extreme interplay of sunny Mediterranean days and cool downslope winds from the surrounding mountains ensures an intense aroma. After maceration at a controlled temperature, the wine matures in large wooden barrels. The colour in the glass is a deep ruby red. The nose exudes aromas of wild cherry and redcurrant, accompanied by delicate spice and a hint of plum. The palate is full-bodied and soft with a velvety texture, supple tannins and a tart, fruity length. A Merlot that elegantly translates the Burgundian tradition to the South Tyrolean south – with hearty meat dishes, roasts or savoury cheeses. SUPERIORE.DE

South Tyrol's very own red wine variety, vinified by a master of his trade. Peter Zemmer cultivates his Lagrein on the warm clay soils of the municipality of Auer in the South Tyrolean lowlands – where the indigenous grape variety has been at home for centuries. The outstanding location and careful cultivation of the vineyards create ideal conditions for grapes of particular concentration. After fermentation, the must is kept in contact with the skins through regular pumping over and gentle crushing, which ensures optimum colour yield and accentuated fruitiness. 70% of the wine is then matured in large oak barrels, the remaining 30% in two- to three-year-old barriques. Further bottle ageing follows the assemblage.

The grapes for this full-bodied red wine grow on warm, calcareous and gravelly clay soils in hilly areas between 250 and 350 metres above sea level. After maceration at a controlled temperature (28-30°C), the wine is matured in large wooden barrels – which gives it the necessary depth without masking the varietal character. The colour in the glass is a deep garnet red. The nose reveals a fruity bouquet of blackcurrant and red berries, underpinned by characteristic notes of green pepper, dried fruit and a hint of tobacco and chocolate. Dry and full-bodied on the palate, with supple tannins and earthy spice. The long-lasting finish confirms this: A South Tyrolean with a strong character that shines with red meat, game and mature hard cheese. SUPERIORE.DE

The oldest red wine variety in South Tyrol finds ideal conditions at the Ebnerhof in a wind-protected, warm south-east location. On the terraced vineyards, which the Unterthiner family has been cultivating for generations, Vernatsch thrives on Pergel vines that are up to 18 years old – the traditional form of cultivation that is part of the South Tyrolean landscape. After gentle processing, the wine ferments in stainless steel tanks before maturing in large wooden barrels – just the right balance between freshness and structure.

Pinot Grigio is Italy's best-selling white wine variety – and at the same time one of the most misunderstood. What becomes a pale all-purpose weapon on an industrial scale shows a completely different face in South Tyrol. The grapes for Hofstätter's version come from Mazzon and Egna in the Adige Valley, where the soils are skeleton-rich and well-drained and the vine builds up its aromas with a concentration that gives the wine real substance.

Martin Foradori-Hofstätter sees his Chardonnay as an expression of the South Tyrolean lowlands: clear, precise, without detours via the wood. The grapes come from the Mazon and Egna vineyards, where marl soils and the typical diurnal variation between alpine night and warm afternoon give the Chardonnay a natural freshness that no cellar master could force. Vinified at controlled temperatures, matured exclusively in steel on the fine lees until the point of optimum ripeness.