Wine varieties

The annual wine production in South Tyrol amounts to 500,000 hectolitres, 65% of which are red wines and 35% are white wines.

video : A year in the vineyard
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Gewürztraminer (Gewürz = spice, Tramin = village of Termeno) along the Wine Road.
Foto: EMS, © Peer
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Also Chardonnay is a white grape variety which is coltivated in South Tyrol.
Foto: EMS, © Peer
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Sauvignon blanc is among the 20 most widely grown grape varieties worldwide.
Foto: EMS, © Peer
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Müller-Thurgau (Rivaner) was created by the Swiss oenologist Hermann Müller Thurgau.
Foto: EMS, © Peer
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The white grape variety Riesling, however, prefers a cooler wine-growing region.
Foto: EMS, © Peer
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Grapes during the growth, here in June - the vintage takes place in the autumn months.
Foto: EMS, © Peer
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… and about 6 weeks later, in mid-July (Cabernet Sauvignon, a red grape variety).
Foto: EMS, © Peer
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Lagrein, a rosè and red wine variety, is native to the valleys of South Tyrol.
Foto: EMS, © Peer
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Pinot noir, a rather difficult variety to cultivate, is also known as Blauburgunder.
Foto: EMS, © Peer
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Cabernet is coltivated in different varieties, among them Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Gros.
Foto: EMS, © Peer
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Merlot, a heavy wine, actually originates from the Bordeaux wine region in France.
Foto: EMS, © Peer
video : Gewurztraminer Festival
video : Cortaccia Wine Trail

Nowadays, almost the total South Tyrolean vineyard area produces wines declared D.O.C., “Denominazione di Origine Controllata” (controlled designation of origin). The white wines, which make up a third of the annual wine production, are dry and mild, with fresh and fruity aromas:

White grape varieties
* Gewürztraminer
* Chardonnay
* Sauvignon blanc
* Müller-Thurgau (Rivaner)
* Pinot blanc
* Pinot gris (Grauburgunder)
* Yellow Muscat (Moscato Giallo)
* Riesling

The selection of red wines - two thirds of the annual wine production - is large and ranges from the pleasant Trollinger to the full-bodied Lagrein or the strong and heavy Merlot:

Red grape varieties
* Lagrein
* Pinot noir
* Cabernet
* Merlot
* Trollinger (Vernatsch)
* Santa Maddalena
* Muscat Rose
* Lago di Caldaro scelto (Kalterersee Auslese)
* South Tyrolean Merlot rosé

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