Il Teroldego Rotaliano
Teroldego is the best known native variety of Trentino, considered the most important one among the red grape varieties.
The name Teroldego Rotaliano DOC is only assigned to wines produced with grapes grown in the area north of Trento, specifically the municipalities of Mezzocorona, Mezzolombardo and San Michele all’Adige.
Only in this area the Adige river and the Noce River have created, over the years, the perfect terroir for this grape, mainly gravelly and sandy.
Gaierhof has no owned vineyards: since the establishment of the company in 1976, the Togn family has forged a relationship of trust and respect with local winegrower families, who grow their grapes with great care and, at the time of harvest, give them to Gaierhof.
Years of proximity to the families of winemakers, have allowed the Togn family to identify the two areas in which the Teroldego grape variety gives the best results: the Morei vineyard in the municipality of Mezzolombardo and the San Marco vineyard in the municipality of Mezzocorona.
The knowledge gained over the years, combined with the innate potential of this native grape variety, have led to the realization of a dream: the production of a reserve that represents the soul of the vine and the signature of the Gaierhof style.
Produced in a limited number of bottles and only in the best vintages, this Riserva is the product of a careful selection of the areas with the greatest potential: in both plots, the vines are aged between 25 and 40 years, and are cultivated with the pergola trentina system
About a month prior to harvest the first selection of the bunches takes place: the tips are cut to enhance the full ripening of the berries.
Harvest takes place at the end of September, at full ripeness of the berries, and it is strictly done by hand, with a further selection of the bunches. The yield is approximately 8 quintals per hectare, and it allows to achieve an excellent concentration, which is essential for the body and structure of the future wine.
The fermentation of this important red wine takes place in steel tanks at a controlled temperature, with fermentation on skins for two weeks. After racking, the wine is transferred into steel for a second short stay, and later into barriques and tonneaux for further aging, where this reserve undergoes malolactic fermentation. The wine ages in wood for two years, and it is then transferred into steel tanks, filtered and bottled. It then ages for a further year in the bottles.
Garnet ruby red color, complex bouquet with pronounced hints of red fruits, raspberry jam and wild blackberry. It is possible to recognize hints of sweet spices, given by the long aging in wood.
On the palate it gives a well-balanced tannicity, which provides body, structure, elegance and persistence to the wine.
Teroldego is a vivid, complex and intriguing wine. It is the perfect accompaniment for red meat, boiled meat and aged cheese. A must try with two typical dishes of the province of Trento: “carne salada” and risotto with Teroldego.