The Pinot Noir Days in Alto Adige

From 10 to 13 May, in Alto Adige, wine lovers, industry experts, restaurateurs, wine merchants and journalists are expected to discover Pinot Noir and its many facets. For over twenty years, the South Tyrolean Pinot Noir Days have been organized with deep passion and commitment by a team of volunteers and the event has enjoyed great appreciation in the wine world and attracts hundreds of producers and visitors.

The 26th edition will take place in the wine villages of Egna and Montagna and the protagonists will be all the wines of the National Pinot Noir Competition, scheduled for the end of April; an international jury made up of oenologists, food and wine journalists and sommeliers from all the participating regions will evaluate this year’s best and all the references can then be tasted by the public during the May event. The competition tastings are conducted by Ulrich Pedri of the Laimburg Experimental Center. “We attach great importance to a balanced jury and fair competition,” emphasizes Marc Pfitscher, vice-president of the organizing committee and responsible for the competition.

Together with Alto Adige and Trentino, the most important Pinot Noir regions in Italy participate in the Pinot Noir Days, such as Valle d’Aosta, Piedmont, Lombardy, Tuscany, Veneto, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Umbria and Emilia-Romagna. “For us it is important to give visitors an overview of the diversity of Pinot Noir production and offer them the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the different traditions and styles”, explains Ines Giovanett, President of the organizing committee of the Alto Pinot Noir Days Adige.

The program of the Days, which is constantly updated, includes: tastings, Pinot Noir Evenings, some masterclasses and winemaking excursions dedicated to this grape variety which enjoys a terroir of choice here.

It starts on Friday 10 May at 12 at the Castle of Enna, Montagna, with the traditional Awards Ceremony of the National Pinot Noir Competition, in which the five best Pinot Noirs in Italy are awarded, this time from the 2021 vintage, chosen from among about 100 labels. “A number that demonstrates how our event has established itself and how over the years it has become an important reference event for Pinot Noir producers from all over Italy”, Giovanett continues. In addition to the national winners, this year too the regional winners will be awarded, i.e. the best Pinot Noir wines from the regions that participated in the competition with at least five wines.

After the opening ceremony, all Pinot Noir wines from the competition will be available for tasting at the Klösterle di Laghetti in Egna from 4pm to 6pm. To do so, you need to book a tasting place online via the Pinot Noir Days website (www .blauburgunder.it).

Two Masterclasses are scheduled for Saturday 11 May in the J. Fischer Cultural Hall in Montagna: from 10am to 12pm the Masterclass on Pinot Noir in Italy and from 4pm to 6pm the Elena Walch Masterclass, a vertical tasting of Pinot Noir Ludwig (vintages 2021, 2020 , 2019, 2017, 2010 and 2007).

Furthermore, from 10 to 13 May, various tastings open to the public and the Pinot Noir Experience will be held, interesting excursions between villages and vineyards with tasting, with mandatory registration.

For information, costs and details of all the scheduled initiatives you can refer to the website www.blauburgunder.it where it is also possible to register for the various moments of the Days.