THE TERRITORY
Val di Cembra is located in Trentino, Italy, stretching east of Trento, and comprising seven communes: Albiano, Altavalle, Cembra Lisignago, Giovo, Lona-Lases, Segonzano, Sover. The climate is pre-alpine, influenced by the Ora del Garda wind. High diurnal range, therefore cold nights allow to retain acidity and prolong the growing season, also the developing of more intense aromas and flavours. Rain falls mainly in spring and autumn, while snow during the winter. Soils are dolomitic limestone around the commune of Giovo, while the rest of the valley is composed of porphyry. Slopes vary from steep to very steep, indeed the landscape is characterised by 708 km of dry stone walls. The main grapes are Müller-Thurgau, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir.
THE WINES
Val di Cembra can surprise you with its flavours and tastes. The wines are made from a territory that shares unique characteristics: porphyry soils, high diurnal range, and east and south aspects. These factors allow reaching the ideal maturation for the grapes to produce both still and sparkling wines. They can be classified as Trentino DOC Superiore Valle di Cembra or Trento DOC. Val di Cembra is the emblem of viticulture from Trento because of its cultivation from the 4th century BC. The recovery of Situla di Cembra – a bronze vessel – on the hill of Caslir in 1825 demonstrates this fact. Initially, the valley was mainly grown with red grape varieties. But the situation changed with the introduction of Müller-Thurgau shoots in the early twentieth century; a grape variety able to grow despite the colder climate, producing ready-to-drink wines. Previously, the wine production was 80% Müller-Thurgau and 20% Schiava. Today, the focus is mainly on white grape varieties, especially Chardonnay for sparkling wine production as Trento DOC. Then, there are Gewurztraminer, Kerner, Manzoni Bianco, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Riesling, Moscato Giallo, Sauvignon Blanc, Frühroter Veltliner, Nosiola, and Lagarino Bianco as whites. Pinot Noir, Schiava and Lagrein are the reds.