2001 Ca' Montini Trentino Pinot Grigio

Trentino is the southern half of what is generally called Trentino-Alto Adige, a wine region enveloped by the Dolomites and the Alps. Austria is just over the border to the northeast of the region. Trentino’s wines, and its people, are considered more Italian than their neighbors in Alto Adige, who mostly speak German. Trentino includes seven appellations, all awarded DOC status between 1970 and 1993. The region is known for dry sparkling wine, and white wines made of Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, and Pinot Bianco. Of particular note are the lesser known (outside of Italy) local white grapes Nosiola and Muller-Thurgau, both of which can produce herbaceous dry white wines. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot are grown, with some difficulty, in this region. But the most famous red grape is the native Teroldego, which the most talented winemakers turn into deep purple wines with tastes of coffee, chocolate, red and black berries.