South Tyrol
The province of Bolzano boasts the longest tradition of wine production in Europe. The climatic and geological conditions present here have always favored the cultivation of the noblest varieties of white and red grapevines. It was here that the Romans saw the benefits of storing wine in wooden barrels, as a result, they replaced the previously used clay amphoras. In the Middle Ages, monks were the main driving force behind the further development of winemaking in this area.
Today, the Alto Adige region is distinguished by a rich and varied offer of quality wines. In the province of Bolzano, virtually all the noblest conditions find excellent conditions for vegetation, European grape varieties, which are grown here alongside local varieties such, like Traminer, Lagrein i Schiava.
The tradition of cultivating some of the strains still present in Alto Adige dates back to Roman times. Mention of them can be found in Pliny the Elder in his Natural History. One of the varieties described in detail by the author is very similar to the Riesling Renano strain from Germany, the cultivation of which has spread throughout Europe, not omitting the territory of Alto Adige. The same pattern is repeated for the Traminer strain, which experts managed to recognize in another grape variety described in detail by Pliny, which was to give wine that was especially highly valued by the Romans.
Alto Adige is today a leader across the country in terms of the share of quality DOC wines in the total wine production. Above 95% wine growing in the region is subject to strict DOC regulations. Pomimo to, no more than two-thirds of Alto Adige wine goes on the market with the designation Denominazione di Origine Controllata. This is due to strict selection, which, for the sake of the quality of the product sold, introduced by local producers.