Nord Italia

Sitting in the northern hemisphere’s latitudinal grape growing sweet spot, Italy has wine regions sprinkled throughout its entire peninsula and down into its surrounding related islands. Turn in any direction in Italy, and you’re bound to run into great wine. However, the north of Italy — land of vino bianco — provides some especially wonderful wine regions.

Trentino - Südtirol / Alto Adige
The dual regions of Südtirol (a.k.a. Alto Adige) and Trentino contain the most northerly vineyards in Italy. The southern Trentino region contains the Dolomite Alps, so it should be no surprise that 70% of the land is at least 3,000 feet above sea level. The vineyards are all in the lower 10% of the country (a mere 2900 feet above sea level).

A former territory of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the Südtirol (the duo’s northerly half) has the majority of its population still speaking German. The Adige River runs the length of it, and most of its vineyards are planted in alluvial soil along the river’s valley.

For red grapes, look for Lagrein and Schiava, although the areas are more known for their white wines made from Müller-Thurgau, Sylvaner, Pinot Bianco, and Sauvignon Blanc.

Veneto
Small but prolific, tiny Veneto produces more wine than Lombardy, Puglia, Tuscany, the Piedmont, or even Sicily! It borders Friuli-Venezia Giulia to its east, up in Italy’s northeast corner, containing the shift from colder German-like lands to drier, warmer lands. Veneto gives us Valpolicella, Amarone, and Soave. It’s the home of the wines around Lake Garda in its northwest, and, most importantly, Veneto is the bigger home for Prosecco. (You’ll also find some Prosecco sub-regions in Friuli-Venezia Giulia.)

Friuli-Venezia Giulia
This region sits in Italy’s northeastern corner, bordering Austria and Slovenia. More than any other Italian region, it produces white wines, with them comprising just under 80% of the region’s wine production. Friulano (formerly known as Tocai Friulano) is the signature white grape, but keep your eyes out for Friuli Chardonnays, Rieslings, Pinot Biancos, and Pinot Grigios.

The Piedmont
The Piedmont (“Foot” “Mountain”) sits at the feet of the Western Alps. The Apennine mountains lie to the southeast, and the Po river valley lies to the east. One of world’s most prominent wine regions, it has more DOCG wines than any other region in Italy. It’s the home of Alba, Barolo, Barbaresco, Asti, Langhe, and more. Sure the Piedmont is Dolcetto and Barbera, but the red grape Nebbiolo dominates the region.

Northern Italy holds even more regions, but its more important to drink their wines then to know where they’re from. Please join us for this Wine Wednesday as guest pourer Jose Perea from importer / distributor Le Storie tastes us on wines from Northern Italy. This is a free, walk-up tasting that you are welcome to join anytime between 5:00 and 6:30 PM.