Top 20 Alto Adige Wines

Elena Walch's "Beyond the Clouds" is a stunning, full-bodied Chardonnay-based blend that delivers engaging floral aromas, ultra ripe tropical fruit in the form of pineapple, melon, peach and a bit of seasoned apple. This wine is a sophisticated varietal blend that promises to pack luxury, elegance and white wine splendor into every bottle. Enjoy with cream or butter-based sauces on poultry or seafood. This wine perfectly illustrates Walch’s belief that “The complexity and quality of the wine is found in the fruit itself, oak is merely used to complement the fruit.”

The Abbazia di Novacella is a 12th century Augustinian Abbey that enjoys one of the region's highest vineyard elevations. This increase in elevation, brings the Pinot Grigio up a notch by intensifying the fragrant floral aromas and significantly increasing the flavor concentration with plenty of citrus and apple flavors on the palate. Bottom line - there is more power, more expression of varietal character and more bang for your buck with this extroverted Pinot Grigio.

The 2007 J. Hofstatter Kolbenhof Gewürztraminer is a bold white wine ambassador of Italy's Alto Adige region. This particular Gewurztraminer offers full throttle aromas consisting of a spicy, almost woodsy bouquet with floral nuances and hints of smoke. On the palate you'll find vibrant fruit, leaning heavily on pear and citrus accompanied by well balanced acidity and a zesty, fruit-filled finish. This wine has more body than anticipated and will pair well with a variety of foodie favorites. Give it a go with curried dishes, spicy shellfish, prosciutto or smoked salmon.

The Weingut Niklas Sauvignon (Blanc) 2007 – offers solid acidity, with full-fledged floral aromas and flavor nuances of limestone and green bell pepper alongside a citrus cap. This wine is the fruit of 35 year old vines and is made on a lovely family-owned estate with a cellar that dates back 700 years. Consider pairing this Sauvignon Blanc with a lemon-herb chicken combination or oysters on the rocks.

St. Michael-Eppan Pinot Bianco 2007 - offers fresh aromas and tart green apple acidity with a vigorous finish. This is a prime example of what a focused, medium-bodied Pinot Bianco can be. Try pairing this Pinot Bianco with grilled or sautéed seafood based dishes.

Manincor's "Sophie" white wine cuvee is an expressive blend of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Viognier. This wine was fermented and aged in large oak barrels that were handcrafted onsite. The aromas are rich and inviting with hints of citrus, the palate offers vibrant, concentrated fruit layered with a touch of butterscotch and an opulent finish.

This particular Sauvignon Blanc boasts unbelievable minerality, giving rise to a fresh crisp, expectant wine with lots of citrus on the palate, dominated by lemon and grapefruit. The finish endures and carries the limestone minerality with it until the very last breath. Perfect for pairing with shellfish or smoked fish. Cantina Terlano has a legacy of producing age worthy white wines, due in large part to the higher mineral content of their surrounding soils. In fact, we had the privilege of tasting a Pinot Bianco-based blend from 1956 and another Pinot Bianco from 1979 - both wines were astounding - rich, ultra opulent wines with deep complexity and refined structure, yet incredibly approachable. Amazing wines all the way around.

The 2007 Tiefenbrunner Castel Turmhof Gewurztraminer brings loads of honeyed pear and warm spice, this is a fuller-bodied aromatic white wine with a lush, persistent finish. Consider pairing with fresh seafood or smoked meats and cheese options.

Alto Adige’s Cantina Valle Isarco Veltiner 2007 (Italy) $12 – this wine is produced from 100% Gruner Veltliner grapes and offers up a deep floral bouquet with crisp apple well buffered by subtle spice. There is a definitive mineral foundation for this wine and an unexpected liveliness.

This white wine was made using four favored varietals allowing for both depth and complexity. Pinot Bianco, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling all provide input and varietal character to this rich, fuller-bodied white. Peach on the palate likely a gift from the Riesling grape, is the dominating palate fruit with a hint of earthiness invested by the Sauvignon Blanc. The Chardonnay offers a rich, creamy texture and supports the finish well.