Alto Adige

Also in this region results were good. Winter was very cold with snow (that protected the vines from frost), springtime was good with rains at the beginning, after which the weather was good till August when it rained. The climate of August was counter-balanced by a warm and dry September and October.

Bolzano, Oltradige, Bassa Atesina, Appiano, Cornaiano “….our members are very happy – (we would like to remind you that Viticoltori Alto Adige is a co-operative representing and operating as a co-ordinating and consulting agency to 7 Cantine Sociali of Alto Adige) – Yields were further lowered for higher quality. ….Harvest was considered good by all the Cantine Sociali. Forecast for 2006 wines: a lot of fruit, full-bodied, good alcohol percentage, good acidity. Harvest was carried out between the 15th of September and the 15th of October (in Alto Adige vineyards are located at very different altitudes, there is great diversity between flatland and mountain areas. There are many small plots, which are close the one to the other, but have very different soil, exposure and altitude)….(Christoph Andergassen director of Viticoltori Alto Adige).

Trentino

Grape production in 2006 increased an average of 12% considering all varietals, an increase of 10% for white varietals and 15% increase for red varietals in comparison to 2005. Winter was cold and damp (therefore there were no problems with budding of vines), it was dry throughout the spring up to the end of July. In August there were storms and rain but no hail, there was temperature range (warm during the day and cold at night) during this month (and typical of this territory) that created the ideal conditions for phenolic ripening (anthocyane synthesis) and synthesis of primary aromatic components in aromatic varietals. Fermentation was without problems. Quality of 2006 wines is excellent: intense nose, good structure and sapidity, intensity of colour is above average for red wines.

Santa Margherita di Ala “….this vintage is similar to 2005 with a cool August. Ripening of clusters was slow. ….This is a vintage for fragrant and aromatic wines (due to slow ripening). Very good Pinot Noir (similar to 1997). We started with the white varietals on the 12th of September, continued with Pinot Noir on the 20th of September, then Marzemino and Casetta at the beginning of October…” (Tiziano Tommasi owner of Azienda La Cadalora)