Alto Adige Wines: Alpine Wine Tourism Taken to New Heights

NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwired - Jun 25, 2013) - When temperatures soar and the sun blazes down, instead of hitting the beach, let the brisk Alpine air provide a respite from summer's sweltering heat. Escape to the Alps and discover the natural beauty of Alto Adige, Italy's smallest and northernmost wine-growing region. 

Nestled in the majestic Dolomite Mountains, Alto Adige (also known as Südtirol), is one of Europe's most popular vacation spots. For travelers looking to venture off the beaten path, the Alto Adige Wine Road provides sports enthusiasts and gastronomic adventurers alike the opportunity to experience the sunny side of the Alps. Breathtaking views, ancient castles and quaint villages along Italy's oldest wine road create an idyllic vacation destination. Recreational cycling routes and hiking trails offer many options for sightseeing, not to mention the opportunity to taste some of Italy's finest wines. Twenty different indigenous and international grape varieties are grown in the region, from Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio and Gewürztraminer to Pinot Nero (Pinot Noir), Lagrein and Schiava. 

The adventurous traveler can take inspiration from Alto Adige's extreme winegrowing. Many vineyards in the region are located at altitudes of up to 3,300 feet above sea level, some of the highest in Europe. Winemakers at high elevation vineyards battle the physical limits of climate and terrain -- severe temperature swings between warm days and cool nights, frost, and the challenge of hand-harvesting grapes on steep mountain slopes. 

The struggle with nature results in exquisite wines. The highest elevation vineyards produce elegant, aromatic and minerally white wines made from Sylvaner, Muller-Thurgau, Pinot Grigio, Gewürztraminer or Pinot Bianco. 

If you can't get away and experience the beauty of the region first-hand, take a virtual trip to the Alps. Pick up a bottle of Alto Adige wine and discover the quality and elegance that comes from high-elevation winemaking in Alto Adige.

For more information visit www.altoadigewinesusa.com or find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AAwines. 

ALTO ADIGE / SÜDTIROL WINE MARKETING BOARD
The Alto Adige Wine Board was formed in 1975 by a group of winemaking companies to promote and strengthen the image of the wines from Alto Adige. The promotional campaigns are implemented by the Export Organization South Tyrol (EOS) of the Chamber of Commerce Bolzano on behalf of the Consortium of Alto Adige Wines. The Alto Adige Wine Board is active in Italy, Germany, Austria, England, Benelux, Switzerland and in the United States.

ALTO ADIGE WINES PROVINUS US MARKETING CAMPAIGN
The objectives of the PROVINUS campaign, co-financed by the Italian State and the European Union, are to increase overall awareness of the DOC wines from Alto Adige, demonstrate their versatility with a wide range of foods, and showcase the diverse palette of wines that emanate from such a unique winegrowing region.