Schiava grapes from Valdadige

[cdh]

Have randomly run across a very nice dry pink wine made labeled Schiava Valdadige Concilio 2001 ...

a bit of research indicates that Valdadige is a place... which makes sense, if there is an Alto Adige, then there must be something below it, and the Valley of Adige is a reasonable thing to find below the High Adige.

Schiava appears to be a grape that often makes a red wine, so this pink is a little unexpected given what's been written about the grape...

So... who knows more about this wine, and what other producers (assuming Concilio is one) are worth trying? Who imports any other good ones into the USA? Is a dry pink wine a standard variation from this geography and grape, or is this a unique one-off?

[Craig Camp]

Valdadige is actually a broad, quasi-generic DOC, barely above IGT in its requirements. It covers the area ranging from Balzano down to Verona so includes Alto Adige, Trentino and part of Veneto. There are many, many varietals entitled to the DOC.

Schiava as they call it in Trentino or vernatsch as they call it in Alto Adige is the most planted red variety in Trentino/Alto Adige usually producing a light, tart wine that is more rosé than red.. However, from the best producers and vineyards it yields a wine of great grace and elegance, but even the best are not deeply colored. The best zones are Santa Maddalena DOC and Lago di Caldaro DOC, which are produced from schiava (with up to 15% pinot nero or lagrein) and most of the best bottles come from these zones. Of course, these DOC usually don't put the varietal on the label. These are charming wines that are best served quite cool. Some of my favorites include:

Kettmeir, Lago di Caldaro Classico

Gojer Glögglhof, Santa Maddalena Classico

Kränzel, Schiava Schloss Basian

Berger-Thurnhof, Santa Maddalena

Peter Sölva, Lago di Caldaro

Zisser, Santa Maddalena Classico

Cantina Produttori Gries, Santa Maddalena Classico Tröglerhof (about as good as schiava gets - they also make a stunning lagrein)

Georg Mumelter, Griesbauerhof Santa Maddalena Classico (also near the top)

Cantina Produttori Santa Maddalena, Santa Maddalena Classico and the single vineyard Santa Maddalena Huch am Bach (one of the best)

Manicor Lago di Caldaro Scelto Classico