Today’s short post is about  Lagrein. Lagrein hails from Alto Adige/Trentino in Northern Italy. According to research, however, it is genetically linked to vines from Greece and Albania that arrived in Italy during the period known as Magna Grecia.

Lagrein is also related, genetically speaking, to Syrah and Teroldego. I have always thought of Lagrein as a hearty wine with fruit, spice and cherries. A rosé version is also available known as “Lagrein Kretzer” (or “Lagrein Rosato”.)

Many producers make Lagrein, usually as a monovarietal including Franz Haas, Girlan,and Peter Zemmer. I have had the pleasure of tasting a number of these wines and they are also widely available in the United States. I can’t wait to taste some next week when I am in Alto Adige.

Photo Courtesy of @ElenaWalch Website

Elena Walch makes two versions of Lagrein, both using 100% of the varietal. The first is an Alto Adige DOC made with grapes grown on warmer sites with clay and sandy soils.  The second is their Lagrein Riserva Vigna “Castel Ringberg” named for the Habsburg castle built in 1620 above Lago Caldaro. Elena Walch makes wines on this special parcel that has a host of different soils and elevations. The soils are a combination of gravel, calcareous soils, and loose limestone as well as morainic soils. In addition to the elevation and varied soils, there is a drying wind that impacts the vineyards called the “Ora.”

Both of these wines are impressive examples of Lagrein, from two vintages 2019 and 2017 and on slightly different soils. While both could age, the Riserva has a longer life ahead.