What I Learned:

In the South Tirol area as a whole, almost 45 percent of the territory is planted with red varietals. These include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Pinot Noir, and two special varietals: Lagrein, and Vernatsch. These two grape varietals have indigenous origins, and have been traditionally vinified in the South Tirol for centuries.

The wine region of Suedtirol Alto Adige has seven wine districts. The Oltradige district, the area around Kaltern and Eppan, is dominated by high hills on both the east and west sides of a valley, and contains a lake in the middle. This district produces one third of all wine from the region, with white wine production predominating slightly at 56 percent.  However, the red varietals and wines from this district are unique, especially when from around the lake called both Kalterer See (in German), and Lago di Caldaro (in Italian). 

The Vernatsch varietal is a red grape. Vernatsch is also known outside the region as Schiava, and Trollinger, likely a corruption of the word “Tirolinger”, meaning from Tirol. When harvested and vinified in Kaltern, it is sold as the esteemed Kalterersee wine. The bottle labels in this case do not indicate varietal, rather location. Look for it on wine lists when in this district, as it will be difficult to find elsewhere. The wine produced from the Vernatsch grapes grown around Kaltern Lake is considered to be softer than wine produced from the same varietal grown in Meran, which tends to be spicier, hence a distinctive name.

Lagrein is another red varietal with local roots. While the adjacent wine district of Bozen/Bolzano produces proportionally more red wine, and significantly more Lagrein wine, it is also produced in this district.  The Lagrein varietal produces a dry red wine, which in addition to having red berry flavors, is also known for its violet flower notes. Lagrein is also vinified as a rose wine, known as Lagrein Kretzer.

 

What I Tasted:

2014 Vernatsch/Kalterersee, Leuchtenburg, Classico Superiore, Auslese, DOC Suedtirol Alto Adige, Erste + Neue Kellerei: A dry red wine with bright red color; fruity nose, and raspberry, strawberry, spice, and slight floral notes, mild tannins.

2014 Lagrein, DOC Suedtirol Alto Adige; Kellerei Kaltern: A dry red wine, with dark purple color, nose of plum, chocolate, sweet spice, with smoky plum, vanilla, and violet notes; medium tannins.

2014 Vernatsch/Kalterersee/Lago di Caldaro, Classico Superiore, DOC, Kellerei Kaltern: A dry red wine with a medium cranberry color; nose of sweet cherry and raspberry with a slight floral scent; red berry, oak and slight green pepper flavors; medium tannins, smooth overall.

2012 Pinot Nero, DOC Suedtirol Alto Adige, Kellerei St Michael-Eppan: A dry red wine with medium garnet coloring; the Pinot Noir grape taste coming through, with a fruity nose, and berries and slight oak notes, medium-bodied wine, with medium tannins.