Alto Adige

Alto Adige DOC is located in the northernmost part of Italy, where German is the main language. It is home to Europe’s highest vineyards – some sit as high as 1,100 metres. These high altitudes help to preserve high acidity in the grapes, resulting in cool-climate Italian wines with more complex aromas.

This region produces lesser-know red wines, such as Lagrein. This dark and deep red was chosen as one of the best wines of 2020 by Decanter. Pinot Noir, the classic grape of Burgundy, has also found a new home in the high vineyards of Alto Adige. It is used to make delicate wines with aromas of red-fruits and flavours of vanilla and spice from ageing in oak.

Alto Adige is equally famous for its refreshing white wines, including beautifully perfumed and aromatic Gewürztraminer and Weißburgunder – or Pinot Blanc. Pinot Grigio, which is used to make inexpensive whites further south in Veneto, becomes a different wine in the cool Alpine climate. Pinot Grigio from here is elegant, with flavours of white flowers and tropical fruits.

Read more about this region and its spectacular wines in our in-depth Guide to Alto Adige.