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Love was in the Air at Alto Adige Wine Tasting

February 21, 2007

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Valentine’s Day arrived early, and with a blast of Alpine Air this past Tuesday, February 13th, when 27 producers and cooperatives from the Alto Adige region of Italy showcased their wines at the historic Prince George Ballroom in midtown Manhattan. Nearly 400 journalists and wine professionals fell in love with this northernmost Italian wine region, home to a unique blend of Alpine and Mediterranean cultures.

Alto Adige is one of Italy’s smallest viticultural regions and represents only 0.7% of the country’s total production, yet leads Italy in wine meriting a quality DOC designation. Blessed with 300 days of sunshine per year, this multi-faceted area is most known for its fresh, fruity, and aromatic white wines, including Pinot Bianco and Gewürztraminer, among others. Reds of character, such as elegant Lagrein and Pinot Noir wines, were also not to be missed among the twenty varieties poured.

The day began with a panel seminar of five Alto Adige producers, moderated by Mary Ewing Mulligan, Master of Wine, and President of the International Wine Center. Participants explored the diverse styles, winemaking approaches, and philosophies of the region at this guided tasting featuring Klaus Passer (Cantina Terlano), Count Michael Goëss-Enzenberg (Manincor Winery), Wolfgang Raifer (Colterenzio), Urs Vetter (Alois Lageder Winery), and Elena Walch of Elena Walch Winery. One highlight included comparing a white wine from the 2003 and 1969 vintages. Exceptional wines, the 1969 still showed complex vibrancy and fruit, proving the age-worthiness of whites from the region.

Thomas Augschöll from Alto Adige Wine Board commented, “The United States is our second most important export market.” He continued, “We are thrilled by the interest of the press and trade in our first American tasting of this caliber, and hope that more and more U.S. consumers will discover the freshness, versatility, and food-friendliness of Alto Adige wines.”

Guests could also take a break from tasting more than 200 wines and relax in a café-like atmosphere while sampling some of Alto Adige’s gastronomic traditions, such as Speck (specialty smoked ham), Schüttelbrot (thin crunchy bread made from soft, leavened rye dough), and Knödels (dumplings). The region’s specialties are decidedly Austrian, with touch of Italian dolce vita, and also include artisan cheeses and savory strudels, all delicious pairings with the region’s wines.

About the Alto Adige Wine Board
The Alto Adige Wine Board was formed in 1975 by a group of winemaking companies to promote and strengthen the image of the wines from Alto Adige. Today, the Board has around 100 members, representing 90% of Alto Adige wine production. The Board finances activities and events, together with the regional administration. The promotion fund is administered by the Bolzano Chamber of Commerce together with the wine associations (cooperative wineries, wine estates and independent winegrowers).

More information can be found online at www.altoadigewines.com

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