Alto Adige DOCGewurztraminerEUR 15-22 retailstill-white
Cantina Tramin's base Gewurztraminer is the entry to the historical Gewurztraminer producer, the Tramin (Termeno) cooperative whose Nussbaumer selection is the appellation's most awarded bottling.
Tip: Pair with Asian and lightly spiced cuisine. The Nussbaumer Selezioni at ~EUR 40 is the deeper expression of the same vineyards.
Alto Adige DOCPinot BiancoEUR 11-15 retailstill-white
Cantina Colterenzio's Cora Pinot Bianco is a faithful under-EUR 15 South Tyrolean white from one of the larger Alto Adige cooperatives, in Cornaiano on the eastern side of the Oltradige zone.
Tip: Colterenzio's range climbs through Lafoa Sauvignon and Cornell Pinot Nero at the next tiers. Cora is the white daily-drinker.
Alto Adige DOCLagreinEUR 12-16 retailstill-red
Cantina Bolzano's base Lagrein from the Gries district of Bolzano is the under-EUR 15 reference for the indigenous Alto Adige red. Inky-purple, dark plum and violet on the nose, bramble-spice palate; the daily-drinker version of the cooperative's flagship Taber Riserva.
Tip: Lagrein is the indigenous Bolzano red. The base bottling is the entry to the grape; the Aus Gries Riserva at ~EUR 18-22 is the immediate next tier.
Alto Adige DOCMueller-ThurgauEUR 12-16 retailstill-white
Tiefenbrunner's Merus Mueller-Thurgau is the under-EUR 15 cousin of the Vigna Feldmarschall von Fenner (the high-altitude single-vineyard at 1000 m).
Tip: The Vigna Feldmarschall sits at EUR 50-65 and is the high-altitude reference. Merus is the same family's accessible weekly bottle.
Delle Venezie DOC / IGT (Pinot Grigio)Pinot GrigioEUR 9-13 retailstill-white
Riff is Alois Lageder's negociant Pinot Grigio, sourced and bottled at the Lageder cellar in Magre. Certified organic from the 2021 vintage onward. The under-EUR 12 introduction to the Lageder house style, fresh and citrus-driven.
Tip: Riff is the entry to the broader Lageder universe; the estate's biodynamic Tenutae Lageder range climbs to the EUR 25+ tier through Lowengang Chardonnay and Krafuss Pinot Noir.
Lago di Caldaro Classico Superiore DOCSchiavaEUR 10-14 retailstill-red
Schiava (Vernatsch) from Lago di Caldaro is the lightest red on the Alto Adige roster - low-tannin, cherry-fresh, slightly chilled. Cantina Kaltern's Kalterersee Klassisch Superiore is the cooperative's signature Schiava for the appellation, an under-EUR 15 light red ideal for summer drinking.
Tip: Serve at 13-14C. Schiava's lightness pairs with Speck, smoked trout and the lighter Alto Adige pasta dishes (Schlutzkrapfen).