Trentino, Italy: mountains, valleys, lakes, hiking, and wine! While the region might be most famous for the extreme production of Pinot Grigio, if you lean in the other direction you are sure to find something a whole lot more interesting in your glass. In this article I suggest three important wines from the Trentino wine region.

The mountainous region is covered in two things: vineyards and apple orchards. With winding rounds, wineries big and small, the popular hiking region is starting to really make a name for itself with wine tourism.

Here, I suggest 3 wines that you may not have heard of (but you definitely should) to help you shape your wine tourism trip while in the Trentino wine region.

1. TrentoDOC – a sparkling wine made from Trentino grapes (Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco, Pinot Nero, or Pinot Meunier). This “Spumante” or sparkling wine is made in the Champignon method, with a minimum of 18 months on the yeast lees, and is the closest things you can find to champagne, quality wise. The grapes must be from the Trentino wine region. Although Giulio Ferrari is absolutely the most famed producer, look out for any wineries producing this specially crafted wine. If you are searching for the best, you will be looking for anything with more than 6 years on the yeast.
2. Noisola – an autonomous varietal most famous for making “Vino Santo” a “passito”, or sweet wine. The grapes are harvested, and then dried on racks until Holy Week or “Settimana Santa” where its name comes from. Its long, slow fermentation produces a rich, aromatic, sweet, yet balanced wine. Many wineries are also starting to produce a dry, still white wine from the grape – keep this in mind to try while looking at wine lists as well!
3. Teroldego Rotaliano – a big bold red grown in the tiny area of “La Piana Rotaliana” a small part of the valley between Sudtirol and Trento, at the foot of the Dolomite Mountains. This grape can be used for a range of wines, from Rosato to Novello, to great Reserves. While versatile this wine also calls out for this regions traditional foods, bold in the mouth it plays with spice and acidity. If you are in the region, find one of the smaller producers, part of “The Teroldego Evolution” to try the best in the Piana Rotaliana.

Cyclists coming to enjoy the winding roads of Trentino have often been the greatest proportion of tourists in Trentino. However, the region has so much to offer to travellers, young and old, interested in wine, food, and nature. There are some truly special wines coming out of this wine region!