Types of wines and grapes

Varieties of wines that are grown along the South Tyrolean Wine Route

Nowadays, almost the entire wine-growing area of South Tyrol can make use of official protection provisions and the produced wines are qualified as so-called D.O.C. Wines (D.O.C. stands for "Denominazione di Origine Controllata", literally translated as "controlled denomination of origin").

One of South Tyrol's characteristics is the rich variety of local grapes.

White types of grapes:

-Weißburgunder (pinot blanc),
-Grauburgunder (pinot gris),
-Chardonnay,
-Gewürztraminer,
-Sauvignon,
-Müller Thurgau,
-Goldmuskateller,
-Riesling,
-Sylvaner.

For some time now winegrowers also try to cultivate a type of vine which not really characteristic for the Wine Road:
- Kerner

Red types of grapes:

-Edelvernatsch (schiava),
-Lagrein,
-Blauburgunder (Pinot Noir),
-Cabernet,
-Merlot,
-Rosenmuskateller,
-Kalterersee Auslese,
-St. Magdalener,
-Südtiroler Merlot Rosé.

South Tyrol's white wines are fresh and fruity, dry and mild.

The variety of red wines is very rich, ranging from a light Vernatsch (schiava) to a full-bodied Lagrein, not to forget the strong barrique aged wines.

The annual wine production of South Tyrol amounts to 600,000 hectolitres, with 65% being red wines and 35 % white wines.