Teroldego Rotaliano DOC is the appellation of Teroldego in its homeland, the Campo Rotaliano, in Trentino. The area covers the municipalities of Mezzocorona and Mezzolombardo and the hamlet of Grumo in San Michele all'Adige, on the alluvial plain the Noce forms before joining the Adige. It was recognised by the decree of 18 February 1971, among the first DOCs in Trentino. The vineyards cover about 438 hectares, with an output of about 29,900 hectolitres.
The styles
The rules require Teroldego alone. They provide for the Rosso, also called Rubino, the Rosato, also called Kretzer, and the Superiore, which can become Riserva with at least two years of ageing. The minimum alcohol is 11.5%.
The character
According to the rules, the Rosso is ruby turning brick with age, with an intense, fruity nose and a dry, savoury, slightly bitter palate with light tannins. The Rosato is pink turning garnet, fruity on the nose. The name of the plain was added to that of the grape precisely to tie the wine to its land: well-drained gravel and sand, sheltered by mountains, where Teroldego gives deeper reds than elsewhere.
At the table
The young Rosso goes with carne salada, lucanica sausage and pasta with meat sauce; the Superiore and Riserva with game, roasts and aged cheeses. The Rosato suits cured meats and freshwater fish. From the same family comes Lagrein, a child of Teroldego, grown further north around Bolzano.