Alto Adige is one of Italy’s smallest winegrowing regions. Yet because of its geographical position, it is also one of the most multifaceted. Like a string of pearls, the vineyards of Alto Adige follow the main waterways, the Adige and Isarco Rivers, along their path from the snowy peaks of the Alps to a Mediterranean landscape of fig trees and olives at the southern border with Trentino.
With just 5,300 hectares (13,000 acres) of grape growing areas, the most diverse climatic zones, variable types of soils, and around twenty grape varieties that flourish at elevations from 200 to 1,000 m. (600 to 3,300 ft.) above sea level, this is the “keyboard” at which Alto Adige producers “compose” a range of top-quality wines that is unique in all of Italy.
This is also confirmed by quick look at any of the leading international wine guides. For years now, Gambero Rosso, for instance, has awarded Alto Adige the largest number of top scores (“Three Glasses”) in proportion to its total vineyard area.