WineGuessrWine region · Italy
Trentino-Alto Adige wine
Trentino-Alto Adige is an Alpine wine region in north-east Italy, made up of Trentino and South Tyrol (Alto Adige). Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio and Schiava are its most planted grapes, with Lagrein and Teroldego for reds. In 2022 it produced 1,325,000 hl, over 70% white, and Trento DOC sparkling wine.
| Country | Italy |
|---|---|
| Climate | Alpine, with milder conditions in the Adige valley |
| Main grapes | Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Noir, Schiava, Lagrein, Teroldego |
| Key appellations | Trento, Alto Adige/Südtirol, Trentino, Teroldego Rotaliano, Lago di Caldaro/Kalterersee, Casteller, Valdadige |
| Wines on WineGuessr | 3 |
History
Archaeological finds show that vines were grown in South Tyrol about 3,000 years ago, and by 720 AD vineyards were recorded in the Burggrafenamt around Merano. Around 1900 Giulio Ferrari, who had studied in Germany and in Champagne, brought Chardonnay to Trentino and began making bottle-fermented sparkling wine, the origin of Trento DOC. In South Tyrol, 1971 was the key year for classifying the wine zones under protected origin rules. Cooperatives shape the industry: almost 70% of South Tyrolean wine comes from cooperative wineries, about 25% from estate wineries and 5% from independent growers. Labels in Alto Adige are often bilingual, as in Alto Adige/Südtirol or Lago di Caldaro/Kalterersee.
Terroir and appellations
The region's vineyards follow the Adige valley and its side valleys through the Alps. In South Tyrol, a mild, Mediterranean-influenced climate reaches up the Adige valley as far as Merano, while the higher Vinschgau and Eisacktal valleys are harsher and focus on white wines. Trentino-Alto Adige has no DOCG but 9 DOCs: Alto Adige/Südtirol, Casteller, Delle Venezie, Lago di Caldaro/Kalterersee, Teroldego Rotaliano, Trentino, Trento, Valdadige/Etschtaler and Valdadige Terradeiforti. Teroldego Rotaliano comes from the Campo Rotaliano plain around Mezzolombardo and Mezzocorona, and Trento DOC sparkling wine is made from vineyards across the province of Trento.
Grapes and wine styles
Chardonnay (22% of plantings), Pinot Grigio (19%) and Schiava (9%) are the most planted grapes, and over 70% of the 2022 output was white. South Tyrol counts Schiava, Gewürztraminer and Lagrein as its traditional varieties, alongside Pinot Bianco, Pinot Nero, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Schiava is the traditional red of Lake Caldaro (Kalterersee), and Lagrein is the other native red of South Tyrol. Teroldego is Trentino's own red grape. Trento DOC may use only Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Meunier, made by the traditional method with at least 15 months on the lees, 24 for vintage wines and 36 for Riserva.
3 wines from Trentino-Alto Adige on the map
Trentino-Alto Adige wine: questions and answers
What is Trento DOC?
Trento DOC is a traditional-method sparkling wine from the province of Trento, made from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Meunier. Non-vintage wines spend at least 15 months on the lees.
Does Trentino-Alto Adige have any DOCG wines?
No. Trentino-Alto Adige has no DOCG; its wines are sold under 9 DOCs, including Alto Adige/Südtirol, Trentino, Trento and Teroldego Rotaliano.
What red grapes grow in Alto Adige?
The traditional reds of Alto Adige are Schiava and Lagrein. Pinot Nero, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon are also grown.
What is the most planted grape in Trentino-Alto Adige?
Chardonnay is the most planted grape, with about 22% of the vineyards, followed by Pinot Grigio at 19% and Schiava at 9%.
Other wine regions of Italy
All wine regions →Sources: italianwinecentral.com, en.wikipedia.org, en.wikipedia.org
Last reviewed October 2026.