Trollinger - Wine Regions

Wine Regions

In Germany, the vast majority of the nearly 2,300 hectares (5,700 acres) of Trollinger are grown in the Württemberg around the town of Stuttgart and throughout the Neckar valley. The region is the fifth largest in Germany with nearly a third of all plantings in Württemberg being Trollinger. While there are several clones of the variety in Italy, nearly all of the Trollinger found in Germany is the high yielding Schiava Grossa cone. Here the grape is often blended with Lemberger.

In Italy it is a permitted variety in several Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC)s including the Santa Maddalena DOC located east of the city of Bolzano in the Alto Adige region. There the grape must make up a minimum of 90% of the blend with Lagrein and Pinot noir permitted to round out the remaining 10%. Grapes are limited to a yield of 12.5 tonnes/hectare with the finished wine needing to attain a minimum alcohol level of 11.5%. Some producers will often use the German name "Saint Magdalener" on the wine labels.

Other Italian DOCs where Trollinger/Schiava/Vernatsch is a permitted variety include:

• Alto Adige DOC - Varietal label Schiava must have a minimum 95% of the variety from grapes harvested limited to 14 tonnes/ha with the finished wine having a minimum alcohol level of 10.5%.
• Caldaro DOC - Also known as Lago di Caldaro. Minimum 85% Schiava with Pinot noir and Lagrein permitted up to 15% from grapes harvested limited to 14 tonnes/ha with the finished wine having a minimum alcohol level of 10.5%. A classico bottling can be made from grapes grown around the communes of Caldaro, Appiano, Termeno, Cortaccia, Vadena, Egna, Montagna, Ora and Bronzolo. A superiore bottling (labeled as Scelto or Selezionato) can also be made from the classico area provided the finished wine has a minimum alcohol level of 11%.
• Casteller DOC - A multi-grape blend from this DOC near the border of the province of Verona. Schiava must account for a minimum of 30% of the blend up to 40% Lambrusco, 30% Merlot and 10% other red grape varieties. Yields are limited to 13.5 tonnes/ha with the finished wine needing to attain a minimum alcohol level of 11%.
• Colli di Bolzano DOC - Schiava must account for a minimum 90% of the blend with Lagrein and Pinot noir permitted to fill in the remaining 10%. Yields are limited to 13 tonnes/ha with the finished wine needing to attain a minimum alcohol level of 11%.
• Meranese di Collina DOC - 100% Schiava but usually a field blend of several clones including Grossa, Gentile and Tschaggle. Yields are limited to 12.5 tonnes/ha with the finished wine needing to attain a minimum alcohol level of 10.5%. A special bottling known as Bulgraviato or Burggräfler can be produced from grapes grown around the Castello di Tirolo in the high altitude hills around the town of Merano.
• Sorni DOC - Minimum 70% Schiava with Teroldego permitted to make up 20-30% of the blend with up to a maximum 10% Lagrein. Yields are limited to 14 tonnes/ha with the finished wine needing to attain a minimum alcohol level of 10.5%. A special "riserva" or scelto bottling can be made if the finished wine attains a minimum alcohol level of 11%.
• Valdadige DOC - A multi-grape blend from a DOC that extends into the Veneto wine region and includes the provinces of Verona, Bolzano and Trento with most of the Schiava grown in Bolzano and Trento. The Rosso must contain at least 20% Schiava but not more than 30% with Lambrusco permitted up to fill the remaining 10%. The remaining 70-80% is compromised of Negrara, Merlot, Pinot noir, Lagrein and Teroldego. A rosé can also be made using the same varieties and permitted percentages. A varietal Schiava can also be made with a minimum 85% of the grape with the other noted red grape varieties permitted to fill in the remainder of the wine. Yields are limited to 14 tonnes/ha with the finished red wine needing to attain a minimum alcohol level of 11% and finished rosé needing to attain 10.5%.