NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwire - Sep 27, 2012) - Back to school season is upon us and it's not just for kids. Alto Adige, Italy's northernmost wine region (also known as Südtirol), deserves a spot on any wine lover's syllabus. Located between Austria and Switzerland, Alto Adige benefits from both brisk Alpine air and warm Mediterranean sun, producing elegant wines of authentic varietal character. With more than 20 different grape varieties and bicultural heritage, the region can sometimes be a bit intimidating to novices. The ABCs of Alto Adige wines offer an easy way to become proficient on this region in no time. So pour a glass and start studying!
A - Alps: towering peaks protect northern Alto Adige from cold winds
B - Bolzano: Alto Adige's capital city bathed in sun; home to Lagrein and Schiava vineyards
C - Cooperatives: account for more than 70% of wine production; leaders in quality advancement
D - DOC: 98% of wines produced in the region merit DOC status
E - Estates: individual wine estates produce around 25% of the region's wines
F - Fraueler: very old variety previously widespread in Val Venosta producing light, high-acid whites
G - Guyot: growers have dramatically limited yields converting from Pergola trellis to Guyot
H - Hectares: 5,300 hectares of vines (13,100 acres) make Alto Adige one of Italy's smallest wine regions
I - Isarco Valley: northernmost wine region of Italy; known for Kerner & Riesling
J - Juicy: Alto Adige is also home to Europe's largest contiguous apple orchard with 8,000 family farms
K - Knoedel: a dumpling, regional specialty often made with speck (local smoked cured ham) or beets
L - Lagrein: signature red variety of the region with aromas of fresh cherries, violets, velvety texture
M - Mediterranean: the region is a true blend of Mediterranean and Alpine influences
N - Nature: only around 3% of Alto Adige is populated; 40% of the region is landscape & nature preserves
O - "Ora": a dry, cooling wind from Lake Garda, tempers the hot summer days in the Adige Valley
P - Porphyry: a type of granite, one of the main soil types in Alto Adige
Q - Questions? Visit our website for more info -- www.altoadigewinesusa.com
R - Rulander: synonym for Pinot Grigio
S - Schiava: indigenous grape; region's most widely planted variety; produces fresh, light-bodied wines
T - Tramin: village and birthplace of Gewürztraminer
U - Uva: Latin for grape; be kind, the alphabet is long
V - Varieties: Alto Adige's diverse terroirs makes it suitable to produce 20 different grape varieties
W - Weimer: word in Alto Adige dialect for grapes
X - X-rays: conducted on Ötzi, the "Ice Man" mummy on display at the Museum of Archeology in Bolzano
Y - Youthful: many wines can be enjoyed young; Alto Adige also produces age-worthy reds and whites
Z - Zones: Alto Adige has 7 diverse wine-producing zones in a 44-mile area
If your thirst for knowledge is not satiated, visit www.altoadigewinesusa.com.
ALTO ADIGE / SÜDTIROL WINE MARKETING BOARD
The Alto Adige Wine Board was formed in 1975 by a group of winemaking companies to promote and strengthen the image of the wines from Alto Adige. The promotional campaigns are implemented by the Export Organization South Tyrol (EOS) of the Chamber of Commerce Bolzano on behalf of the Consortium of Alto Adige Wines. The promotion fund is administered by the Export Organization South Tyrol (EOS) of the Chamber of Commerce Bolzano on behalf of the Consortium of Alto Adige Wines. The Alto Adige Wine Board is active in Italy, Germany, Austria, England, Benelux, Switzerland and in the United States.
ALTO ADIGE WINES PROVINUS US MARKETING CAMPAIGN
The objectives of the PROVINUS campaign, co-financed by the Italian State and the European Union, are to increase overall awareness of the DOC wines from Alto Adige, demonstrate their versatility with a wide range of foods, and showcase the diverse palette of wines that emanate from such a unique winegrowing region.
Contact Information:
Contact:
Courtney Schiessl
212-605-0370
cschiessl@cornerstonepr.com