12 Refreshing Alto Adige Whites Up to 92 Points

Alto Adige is the upper half of the larger Trentino–Alto Adige region, centered around the northern Italian city of Bolzano and not far from the Austrian border. This mountainous region was once a part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and there’s still a lot of Germanic influence today. German is spoken more readily than Italian, and the street signs—and often wine labels—include both languages; you’ll often see Alto Adige and the German version of the appellation’s name, Südtirol, on labels. 

It’s a visually stunning are, offering a wide range of mineral-driven wines from both red and white grapes. Because of the historical sway of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, many of the region’s leading white varieties are French grapes that have long been planted in the area. Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco (Pinot Blanc), Pinot Grigio (Pinot Gris) and Sauvignon Blanc, the four varieties that make up most of this week’s Tasting Highlights, represent nearly equal acreage in the region. But Alto Adige’s production also includes distinctive bottlings from less-heralded grapes still well worth seeking out, including Gewürztraminer, Grüner Veltliner, Kerner, Müller Thurgau, Riesling and Sylvaner.

This edition features top-scoring wines from Cantina Terlano, Elena Walch, Cantina Andriano and more. Read on to get our expert scores and full tasting notes!

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