Teroldego!
According to wine grape variety gurus Ian D’Agata (Native Italian Wine Grapes of Italy) and Jancis Robinson & Co. (Wine Grapes) , Teroldego is a sibling of DUREZA, from the Ardèche in France, which is in a parent of SYRAH. Moreover, both are grandchildren of PINOT. Teroldego is also the parent of two other well-known reds from the Trentino-Alto Adige: Lagrein and Marzemino.
Teroldego is characterised by its dark colour, having one of the highest concentrations of anthocyanins of all Italian grapes. An ancient grape, first cited in a sales contract dated 1480, it makes for very fruit driven wines with mouth-watering acidity and soft tannins. Typical aromas and flavours include cherry, quinine, ink, tar and fresh herbs.
Buy Foradori Teroldego…
The name Foradori and that of the principal native grape of the Trentino (Dolomite) region are practically synonymous. Lezer, which means ‘easy’(as in ‘take it easy’), was born out of the very challenging 2017 vintage which saw devastating frost in the spring and a major hailstorm during harvest. None of the usual estate Teroldego wines were produced that year. Instead, all of the grapes got a one-day maceration and were then fermented in every possible vessel in the winery (steel, cement, terracotta amphoras, large format acacia and Slavonian oak wooden casks). The resulting wine was incredibly delicious, and the world couldn’t and still can’t get enough of it.
This is a light red which can be drunk slightly chilled if you wish. Soft and fruity, yet with plenty of crunch and structure thanks to Teroldego’s high anthocyanin content, and that unmistakable Dolomite minerality. Best enjoyed with charcuterie and excellent company!
Region:
Trentino
Grapes:
70% Teroldego, plus a blend of Merlot, Schiava and Lagrein
Style:
Light Red
Soil:
Alluvial sand with pebbles
Farming:
Demeter certified biodynamic since 2009
The name Foradori and that of Teroldego, the principal native grape of the Trentino (Dolomite) region, are practically synonymous. First released in 1960, this flagship wine is made of fruit from old, unirrigated vines planted in 9 ha on the famed Campo Rotaliano plain.
The grapes (30% whole bunches) are fermented in cement and aged for 12 months, half in cement and half in old (neutral) large format Slavonian oak casks.
A wine displaying luscious dark black cherry fruit, quinine and black pepper with a purity and energy as beautiful as the family who makes it.
Fun fact: Teroldego is one of Italy’s most ancient grapes and is an uncle/aunt of Syrah and a grandchild of Pinot!
Region:
Trentino
Grapes:
100% Teroldego
Style:
Red
Soil:
Alluvial soils with sand and limestone, granite and volcanic porphyry gravel
Farming:
Demeter certified biodynamic since 2009
Foradori, whose name is nearly synonymous with that of the Teroldego grape, began experimenting with making wine in terracotta amphora in 2008 when the purchased the very first tinaja from Spain. Today the winery has nearly 250 amphora, now sourced locally.
Sgarzon means ‘shoot’ in local dialect and is the name of Foradori’s 2.5 ha site, planted in 2003 and characterised by its cooler position and sandy soil.
This single vineyard wine is made of destemmed whole berries fermented on skins in terracotta amphora for 8 months, yielding a vibrant nose of red cherry and floral notes. On the palate it is fresh, full-bodied and layered with elegance and a long mineral finish.
Region:
Trentino
Grapes:
100% Teroldego
Style:
Red
Soil:
Alluvial soils with sand and limestone
Farming:
Demeter certified biodynamic since 2009
The name Foradori and that of Teroldego, the principal native grape of the Trentino (Dolomite) region, are practically synonymous. This wine is their signature expression of the grape. Named after the pomegranate, it is Elisabetta Foradori’s first wine, released in 1986, and winner of many Tre Bicchieri (Three Glasses) awards. In the early days it was made in a much more oaked style. Today the wood influence in subtle, but Granato still remains the most cellar-worthy of wine in the Foradori stable.
The fruit comes from the oldest, pergola-trained vines selected their four main vineyard sites. Unlike their other wines, Granato is fermented in big open-top wooden casks known as Tini and aged in Slavonian oak for 15 months. Made with 40 -50% whole bunches, they use the cappello sommerso (submerged cap) technique rather than punch-downs or pump-overs. Concentrated and intense aromas of violets and cherries with a wonderful palate balancing freshness, minerality and tannin leading to a superbly long finish.
Region:
Trentino
Grapes:
100% Teroldego
Style:
Red
Soil:
Alluvial soils with sand and limestone, granite and volcanic porphyry gravel
Farming:
Demeter certified biodynamic since 2009