Diversity in Italy’s Peak Alto Adige - Südtirol April 25, 2018 Seminar Overview Exploration of the region’s unique history, climate, terroir and altitudes Comparative tasting of six signature varieties will illuminate the discussion Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio, Gewürztraminer Schiava, Pinot Nero, Lagrein Moderator and Panelists Tim Gaiser, MS Judith Unterholzner, Cantina Kaltern and Erste+Neue Harald Cronst, Cantina Kurtatsch Overview Location Germany France Austria Alto Adige - Südtirol Switzerland Slovenia Croatia Italy Key Facts Vineyard Area 13,300 acres — smallest in Italy 600-3,300 ft. elevation range 7 growing zones 8 DOC/DOPs 2 IGTs Strength in Unity 70% produced by 12 cooperatives 25% produced by 65 wine estates 5% produced by ~98 independent wine growers Multifaceted Alpine Peaks & Mediterranean Influences Italian & German & Ladin Languages Key Facts 20+ varieties 60% white, 40% red Pinot Grigio, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Bianco, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Müller- Thurgau, Kerner, Moscato Giallo, Sylvaner, Riesling, Grüner Vetliner Schiava, Lagrein, Pinot Nero, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Moscato Rosa Small but Mighty <1% of Italy’s wine production 98% DOC/DOP Highest % of Gambero Rosso Three Glass distinctions in relation to total vineyard area Key Dates 500 BC: Archeological finds of pruning hooks and ladles show wine grapes being grown 15 BC: The Romans build upon the wine culture advanced by the Rhaetians (local Alpine inhabitants) 700: Bavarian and Swabian monasteries acquire vineyards in the region ca. 1850: Introduction of Burgundy varieties by Archduke Johann as well as Bordeaux varieties Key Dates 1893: First Cooperative Founded in Andriano 1896: First Bolzano Wine Tasting Festival, which remains an important event today 1919: Alto Adige - Südtirol becomes a region of Italy, after being part of the Austrian-Hungarian Empire for centuries 1972: The region becomes autonomous, meaning it has larger control over local laws and funds which helps preserve their unique cultural and linguistic heritage Key Dates 1975: Recognition of Alto Adige - Südtirol DOC Since 1980: Transition to Quality Focus Modern technologies & methods Drastic reduction of yields 2007: The Consortium Alto Adige Wines founded Today: Alto Adige - Südtirol is the leading white wine region in Italy in awards and ratings—in relation to total vineyard area Environment Topography and Climate Topography and Climate Terroir Volcanic porphyry Primitive rock composed Sandy marl of quartz and mica Limestone and dolomite Growing Zones Growing Zones Val Venosta Vineyard Acreage: 187 (2%) Elevations: 1,600-2,600 ft. Soils: slate, gneiss and sand 46% white, 54% red Main varieties: Riesling, Pinot Bianco, Pinot Noir, Schiava Val Venosta (Vinschgau) DOC Val Venosta Merano Vineyard Acreage: 971 (7%) Elevations: 1,000-2,600 ft. Soils: gravel and sand 46% white, 54% red Main varieties: Schiava, Pinot Noir, Pinot Bianco, Sauvignon Blanc Meranese (Meraner) DOC Merano Val d’Adige Vineyard Acreage: 652 (5%) Elevations: 800-3,000 ft. Soils: porphyry and limestone 71% white, 29% red Main varieties: Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Bianco, Schiava, Lagrein Terlano (Terlaner) DOC Val d’Adige Oltradige Vineyard Acreage: 4,161 (31%) Elevations: 1,000-2,300 ft. Soils: limestone, porphyry and moraine 61% white, 39% red Main varieties: Schiava, Pinot Bianco, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Gewürztraminer Lago di Caldaro (Kalterersee) DOC Oltradige Bassa Atesina Vineyard Acreage: 4,626 (35%) Elevations: 600-3,300 ft. Soils: limestone, dolomite, loam, sand and marl 66% white, 34% red Main varieties: Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Schiava, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Nero Bassa Atesina Bolzano Vineyard Acreage: 1,747 (13%) Elevations: 800-3,000 ft. Soils: porphyry, gravel and alluvial 37% white, 63% red Main varieties: Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Bianco, Schiava, Lagrein Santa Maddalena (St. Magdalener) DOC; Colli di Bolzano (Bozner Leiten) DOC Bolzano Valle Isarco Vineyard Acreage: 981 (8%) Elevations: 1,300-2,600 ft. Soils: mica schist (quartz phyllite) and sandy gravel 91% white, 9% red Main varieties: Müller Thurgau, Sylvaner, Kerner, Gewürztraminer Valle Isarco (Eisacktaler) DOC Valle Isarco Regional Specialities Regional Specialties Apples: 8,000 growers; 2 million pounds a year Speck: Combines Mediterranean (air-drying) and Northern European (smoking) techniques; 29 authorized producers Cheese: 90+ types of cheeses, including Dolomiti, Alta Badia, Pustertaler and Stelvio Regional Specialties Cuisine combines Germanic and Italian influences, popular dishes include Knödel, Canederli and Strudel Skiing and Spas 30 ski trails covering 1,221 miles Top destination for spas and wellness retreats, traditional treatments include hay and wine baths Tasting Whites Wine 1: Alois Lageder Pinot Bianco Haberle 2016, Alto Adige DOC Wine 2: Nals Margreid Pinot Bianco Sirmian 2016, Alto Adige DOC Wine 3: Peter Zemmer Pinot Grigio 2017, Alto Adige DOC Wine 4: Cantina Tramin Pinot Grigio Unterebner 2016, Alto Adige DOC Wine 5: Elena Walch Gewürztraminer Vigna Kastelaz 2016, Alto Adige DOC Wine 6:Cantina Kurtatsch Gewürztraminer Riserva Brenntal 2015, Alto Adige DOC Pinot Bianco Acreage: 1,334 (10.2%) Primary Cultivation Zones: Oltradige, Bassa Atesina and Val d’Adige Pinot Bianco was first planted in the region in 1852 in Bressanone in Valle Isarco Also known as Weissburgunder Pinot Bianco - Tasting Wine 1: Alois Lageder Pinot Bianco Haberle 2016, Alto Adige DOC Variety: 100% Pinot Bianco Avg Vine Age: 21-49 y.o. Soil: Stone and sand with a high limestone content Altitude: 1,500-1,710 feet Vinification: Fermented in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks for 1 to 3 weeks. Aged up to 8 months in contact with fine lees in a mix of wooden casks and tonneaux (85%) and stainless steel tanks (15%). RS: 0.8 g/l ; TA: 5 g/l ; ABV: 13% Pinot Bianco - Tasting Wine 2: Nals Margreid Pinot Bianco Sirmian 2016, Alto Adige DOC Variety: 100% Pinot Bianco Avg Vine Age: 20+ y.o. Soil: Moraine with porphyry, marble, gneiss, mica and chalk Altitude: 1,969 feet Vinification: Fermented for 3 weeks, and aged for 8 months, in large oak barrels. RS: 3.9 g/l ; TA: 6.2 g/l ; ABV: 13.5% Pinot Grigio Acreage: 1,554 (11.9%) Primary Cultivation Zones: Bassa Atesina and Oltradige Most planted white variety First planted in the region in 1848 in Appiano-Monte in Oltradige Also known as Ruländer or Grauburgunder Pinot Grigio - Tasting Wine 3: Peter Zemmer Pinot Grigio 2017, Alto Adige DOC Variety: 100% Pinot Grigio Avg. Vine Age: 10-40 y.o. Soil: Sand, chalk and loam Altitude: 820-984 feet Vinification: Fermented for 20 days, and aged for 7 months, in stainless steel tanks. RS: 1 g/l ; TA: 5.45 g/l ; ABV: 13.5% Pinot Grigio - Tasting Wine 4: Cantina Tramin Pinot Grigio Unterebner 2016, Alto Adige DOC Variety: 100% Pinot Grigio Avg. Vine Age: 20 y.o. Soil: Calcareous gravel with loam, partially with porphyry bedrock Altitude: 1,411 feet Vinification: Fermented for 2 weeks, and aged for 14 months,in a mix of 30-40hl wooden casks and 500L tonneaux. RS: 1.8 g/l ; TA: 5.7 g/l ; ABV: 14% Gewürztraminer Acreage: 1,418 (10.7%) Primary Cultivation Zones: Bassa Atesina, Oltradige and Val d’Adige Originates from the region’s winegrowing village of Tramin (Termeno) Traminer was a term known throughout the German speaking world as early as the 13th century; Gewürz translates to spice Old plantings are pergola trained; new are guyot method Gewürztraminer - Tasting Wine 5: Elena Walch Gewürztraminer Vigna Kastelaz 2016, Alto Adige DOC Variety: 100% Gewürztraminer Avg. Vine Age: 18-25 y.o. Soil: Limestone, interspersed with post-glacial sand, granite and porphyry Altitude: 1,115-1,247 feet Vinification: 6 hour maceration. Fermented for 9 days, and aged for 7 months on fine lees, in stainless steel tanks. RS: 7.2 g/l ; TA: 5.1 g/l ; ABV: 14.5% Gewürztraminer - Tasting Wine 6: Cantina Kurtatsch Gewürztraminer Riserva Brenntal 2015, Alto Adige DOC Variety: 100% Gewürztraminer Avg. Vine Age: 16-18 y.o. Soil: Clay Altitude: 820-1,148 feet Vinification: 3.5 hour cold soak maceration. Fermented for 2.5 weeks in stainless steel tanks. Aged for 12 months in stainless steel and an additional 6 months in large oak barrels. RS: 7.8 g/l ; TA: 5.7 g/l ; ABV: 15% Reds Wine 7: Erste + Neue Lago di Caldaro Classico Superiore 2017, Alto Adige DOC Wine 8: Castel Sallegg Lago di Caldaro Scelto Classico Bischofsleiten 2017, Alto Adige DOC Wine 9: Colterenzio Winery Pinot Nero Riserva St. Daniel 2015, Alto Adige DOC Wine 10: Castelfeder Pinot Nero Riserva Burgum Novum 2014, Alto Adige DOC Wine 11: Franz Haas Lagrein 2015, Alto Adige DOC Wine 12: Cantina Bolzano Lagrein Riserva Taber 2015, Alto Adige DOC Schiava Acreage: 1,972 (13.7%) Primary Cultivation Zones: Bolzano, Oltradige, Merano and Bassa Atesina First documented in the Middle Ages, this indigenous grape has played a central focus since the 16th century Most grown variety; pergola trained Also known as Vernatsch or Trollinger In lieu of variety, it is common to find traditional geographic indications Santa Maddalena, Lago di Caldaro (Kalterersee), and Merano (Colli) Schiava - Tasting Wine 7: Erste + Neue Lago di Caldaro Classico Superiore 2017, Alto Adige DOC Variety: 100% Schiava Avg. Vine Age: 20-50 y.o Soil: Loam, limestone, gravel with a small proportion of sand Altitude: 750-1,500 feet Vinification: Macerated for 6-8 days. Fermented for 6-8 days in stainless steel. Aged for 4 months in a mix of stainless steel tanks and large oak casks. TA: 4.4 g/l ; ABV: 12.5% Schiava - Tasting Wine 8: Castel Sallegg Lago di Caldaro Scelto Classico Bischofsleiten 2017, Alto Adige DOC Variety: 100% Schiava Avg. Vine Age: 50 y.o. Soil: Sandy loam Altitude: 755-919 feet Vinification: Fermented for 2 weeks with gentle punch downs, followed by malolactic fermentation. Aged for 4 months in stainless steel tanks. TA: 4.7 g/l ; ABV: 13.18% Pinot Nero Acreage: 1,095 (8.4%) Primary Cultivation Zones: Bassa Atesina and Oltradige Grown in the region since the middle of the 19th century Also known as Blauburgunder Pinot Nero - Tasting Wine 9: Colterenzio Winery Pinot Nero Riserva St.