Winemaker Notes
With wonderful aromas of apple cider, chalk and lemon zest, this clean and focused wine expands on the palate to reveal warm apple crisp, clove and quince nuances. Possessing a long, concentrated citrus finish, this wine pairs perfectly with roasted pork, shellfish and egg-based sauces or as a charming cocktail beverage.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Fresh flowers and sliced apples with some smoke. Medium body, crisp acidity and a creamy finish. Drink now.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Cantina Terlano specializes in Pinot Bianco (or Weissburgunder in German), and this entry-level value wine absolutely delivers the goods. The 2018 Alto Adige Pinot Bianco Tradition is tight and focused, with white peach and citrus aromas that segue to crushed stone and flint. That mineral signature is truly distinctive and beautiful. You can't exactly call this a lean-bodied wine, because you do get a taste of that extra heft and texture that always comes with Pinot Bianco of this level.
Rating: 91+
Approachable, aromatic and pleasantly plush on the palate, Pinot Blanc is a white grape variety most associated with the Alsace region of France. Although its heritage is Burgundian, today it is rarely found there and instead thrives throughout central Europe, namely Germany and Austria, where it is known as Weissburgunder and Alto Adige where it is called Pinot Bianco. Interestingly, Pinot Blanc was born out of a mutation of the pink-skinned Pinot Gris. Somm Secret—Chardonnay fans looking to try something new would benefit from giving Pinot Blanc a try.
A mountainous northern Italian region heavily influenced by German culture, Trentino-Alto Adige is actually made up of two separate but similar regions: Alto Adige and Trentino.
Trentino, the southern half, is primarily Italian-speaking and largely responsible for the production of non-native, international grapes. There is a significant quantity of Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio and Merlot produced. But Trentino's native and most unique red variety, Teroldego, while still rare, is gaining popularity. It produces a deeply colored red wine rich in wild blackberry, herb, coffee and cocoa.
The rugged terrain of German-speaking Alto Adige (also referred to as Südtirol) focuses on small-scale viticulture, with great value placed on local varieties—though international varieties have been widely planted since the 1800s. Sheltered by the Alps from harsh northerly winds, many of the best vineyards are at extreme altitude but on steep slopes to increase sunlight exposure.
Dominant red varieties include the bold, herbaceous Lagrein and delicate, strawberry-kissed, Schiava, in addition to some Pinot Nero.
The primary white grapes are Pinot grigio, Gewürztraminer, Chardonnay and Pinot blanc, as well as smaller plantings of Sauvignon blanc, Müller Thurgau. These tend to be bright and refreshing with crisp acidity and just the right amount of texture. Some of the highest quality Pinot grigio in Italy is made here.