Italy has always been known for excellent food and wine products that are closely linked to the territory they are made in. A striking example of this link is offered by Trento DOC wine. Taking its name from the city of Trento, this sparkling wine has Denomination of Controlled Origin certification that distinguishes and protects the characteristics of wine specifically produced in the mountains of the Italian region of Trentino-Alto Adige.

The history of the elegant Spumante Trento DOC

Spumante Trento DOC has a centuries-old history, with testimonies of the winemaking tradition in the Trentino region dating back to the Bronze Age. However, thanks to the commitment and passion of Giulio Ferrari, a winemaker and oenologist,  it was in 1800 that sparkling wine made according to the Classic Method began to take hold in Italy. During his frequent trips to France, Giulio Ferrari noticed orographic and climatic similarities between the Champagne region and his beloved Trentino and, realizing the potential of Chardonnay grapes in the region, imported some Barbatelle to the Italian peninsula. 

Fortunately, Ferrari’s intuition was correct and, since then, several winemakers have followed the example of the Ferrari winery: today there are more than 50 cellars and about 9 million Trento DOC bottles are produced per year, with production spread over about 10,000 hectares in the Trentino region. Spumante Trento DOC is the third most consumed Italian sparkling wine abroad, after Prosecco and Asti Spumante. 

Trento DOC: the link between the territory and the production areas

Trentino is a predominantly mountainous region: the grapes for the production of Trento DOC are grown in the Dolomites in an area that is well-monitored by the Production Regulations and includes 74 municipalities.  Altitude plays a very important role in the production of Trento DOC sparkling wine; the grapes lend themselves particularly well to the production of sparkling wine made according to the Classic Method. 
Another determining factor in the quality of Trento DOC is the climatic variety of Trentino, a region which has an alpine, Mediterranean and continental climate. The cold of the mountains and the warm currents from Lake Garda give rise to a combination of temperature ranges in which the grapes acquire natural acidity and a complex and distinctive aromatic profile. This in turn gives rise to excellent sparkling wines. Indeed, the Trento DOC was the first among the Italian Classic Method Sparkling Wines to have obtained Denomination of Controlled Origin recognition.

How is mountain sparkling wine produced?

Founding father of Trento DOC, Giulio Ferrari drew inspiration from Champagne not only for its similar terroir but also for its vines and production method. Celebration wines are obtained from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Bianco and Meunier grapes, in varying percentages. Thanks to the expertise of the passionate Trentino winemakers, different methods of cultivation of the vine are adopted according to the altitude. The winemakers aim to keep the vines low, favouring the right exposure to the sun and facilitating the strictly-by-hand harvest of the grapes. 

Once the base wine is obtained, yeasts and sugars are added; the Trento DOC is then bottled and, as required by the Classic Method,  refermentation in the bottle begins with foaming. According to the Production Regulations, the wine must be left to rest on its lees for at least 15 months, but Trentino winemakers extend this period to improve and refine the organoleptic characteristics of the wines.
 
The bottles are then placed upside down for the "remuage" phase to begin. At this time the bottles are rotated to facilitate the deposit of yeasts and lees on the neck of the bottle and, subsequently, facilitate their elimination with a process called disgorgement. Finally, the bottles are sealed and packaged et voilà, the Trento DOC is ready to be tasted.

How many types of Trento DOC are there?

The Spumante Trento DOC is vinified both in the classic white version and in the rosé version. Depending on the rest period of the wine on its lees, it will originate as a Brut in the case of at least 15 months of aging, or as a  Millesimato, if the sparkling wine is left to rest on the lees for at least 24 months. The appellation of Spumante Trento DOC "Riserva" finally falls to those sparkling wines that have rested on their lees for a period of at least 36 months. This sparkling wine, therefore, has great aging potential. A further classification is given by the amount of the sugars added during fermentation, distinguishing the wine, in ascending order, as Pas Dosé, Brut, Extra Brut, Dry Sec, and Demi Sec.

Trento DOC: organoleptic characteristics and gastronomic combinations

The organoleptic characteristics of Trento DOC sparkling wines are the result of environmental peculiarities and the ancient Trentino wine tradition, and they are easily traceable to the vineyards and the terroir of origin.  The Trento DOC is endowed with structure, elegance and personality. It has a fine foam, is a straw yellow colour in the white versions, and is a more or less intense pink colour in the rosé versions.  On the nose, it returns hints of bread crust, exotic fruit, and dried fruit, for an elegant bouquet; on the palate, it is fresh and savoury. 
A Trento DOC is a versatile sparkling wine that lends itself well to numerous pairings; it is not only excellent as an aperitif, but is also suitable to accompany the whole meal. The award-winning Ferrari "Perlé" Rosé Riserva Trento DOC 2016 is particularly suitable to accompany fish and chips, while the Altemasi Brut Millesimato Trento DOC, for example, is also suitable with white meats, lake fish, and fatty cheeses.

Now that you know everything about Trentino sparkling wines, make sure you always have a supply of the best Trento DOC selected for you by Svinando experts from the most renowned wineries: uncork a Trento DOC for your special occasions and let the party begin!