Last week I held my second mini-lesson about wine in Florence, at Uva Nera, where we mainly discussed the wine region Trentino-Alto Adige. The group that had gathered for the evening was very interactive and fun to discuss wine with. As usual we alternated wine info with wine tasting. Mainly, I talked about the history of this most northern wine region in Italy, about its specific native grapes, the different DOCs of the region, and – Trento DOC – the own “spumante” of Trentino-Alto Adige.
About Trentino-Alto Adige
Monasteries as wine producers
Did you know that it was “Frankish” (from the Kingdom of the Franks, later France) and Bavarian monasteries, mostly Benedictine monasteries, that started buying up land in Alto Adige in the VIII century. The climate was more suitable for viticulture in this region. They also started giving names such as “Traminer” to their wines. Indeed, it was the Benedictine monks who continued their endless work with viticulture and to make wines such as Schiava, Teroldego, Traminer and Marzemino well-known also outside the borders of this region up until the Napoleonic era. Marzemino was, for example, one of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s favorite wines.
“…versa il vino, l’eccellente Marzemino!”
(Don Giovanni – Mozart)
Wine tasting with Lagrein and Kerner
During this mini-lesson we tasted two wines from Trentino-Alto Adige, a Kerner (white wine) and a Lagrein (red wine). The Kerner grape is a crossing between Trollinger (a red variety also known as Schiava) and Riesling. It was bred in 1929 by a German, August Herold, who was working at a plant breeding station close to Württemberg in Germany. The grape was named after the Swabian poet Justinus Kerner.
Our first wine of the evening was thus a Kerner from the producer Taschlerhof. It is a wine with a straw-yellow hue. It is a very aromatic and fresh wine with aromas of white fruits (peach), citrus fruits, as well as a herbal note. Furthermore, it is a wine that feels rich and full-bodied in the mouth, with a mineral undertone and a hint of Muscat.
The second wine of the evening was a Lagrein from the producer Tiefenbrunner. It is a wine with aromas of black cherry, violet and licorice. It also has a taste of red and black cherries, licorice and tobacco. You can also feel a note of wood in the flavour as well as an elegant touch of tannins.
Words at the Wine Bar – next mini-lessons
Next lesson will be held by Nadia, because I will be away in Cilento, more precisely in Santa Maria di Castellabate to enjoy some sun at the beach. 🙂 She will probably focus on Piemonte this time, so you will hear more about this in one of my next blog posts.
Written by Katarina Andersson.
Source: Il Sommelier: enografia italiana, edited by Andrea Zanfi, Fisar.
Love the history you provide of the region and the wines! And, great infographic, too.
Thanks! 🙂 Happy you liked the post.
I can taste the wines from your description. Sounds like so much fun with history, facts, tasting, tasting & more tasting.
Thanks Roslyn, glad you like the post about this region.:-)
Thanks for sharing the wine infographic which tells the story about the history of producing wines.
I just love reading your posts, Katarina. It’s like reading an historical novella. Your love of wine and history shine through!
The Kerner sounds fabulous. I will have to explore our local cellars more deeply to see if I can turn up a bottle.
Your posts are so interesting, Katarina. You have really taken your passion and run with it, a goal that everyone should have. Both of those wines sound really good!
I’ve sent your blog to my dear friend, Teresa Spinelli, who has the Italian Centre Shop in Alberta.
Really luv your stuff!
As a non-drinker I am always fascinated by the many grape varieties that different regions grow to make wine. I enjoy reading the history and thought this infographic was fascinating as a learning experience of the region and its wines. Great read, Katarina…even for a non-drinker. 🙂
I wish I could be there RIGHT NOW! I really need to retire and move to Italy ☺
Katarina, your descriptions of the wines and area are wonderful. I sent your link to a client of mine who is an avid wine-taster and constantly travels. Maybe she’ll share a bottle of one of these with me in the future. 🙂
I find the combinations of fruits and herbs fascinating. I’m afraid that I’m not much of a wine connoisseur so the information you provide definitely expands my knowledge.
I’m also a teetotaler and this was very interesting. I love the history you’ve provided here. I always find it really interesting. It’s much more than just a drink. Everything that goes into making a fine wine is really fascinating. Great infographic, too!
Love the history of wine and the region. Looking forward to tasting some of these in the near future. Thanks for sharing.
The wines you tasted sound delicious by the descriptions! They sound sweet. I am a red wine lover and have enjoyed wine tastings before. Its a great way to try new wines before buying one.