the queen of Teroldego —Elisabetta Foradori

Foradori’s noblest wine, Granato

While @google and @apple quietly removed #internationalwomensday from their calendars, we are celebrating one of our favorite #womenwinemakers.

Teroldego is a grape with a truly noble pedigree. One of its grandparents is Pinot Noir, and it is also an uncle of Syrah, placing it in fine company indeed. Whereas both Pinot Noir and Syrah grow in parts of the Alpine regions that straddle Italy (Austria, France, Switzerland, and Slovenia), Teroldego is truly at home in these mountains. Specifically, its grand cru is the Rotaliano Plain in Trentino, where it is the undisputed king. The Campo Rotaliano, protected from harsh winds by the surrounding Dolomite mountains, is a flat stretch of land composed of alluvial soils rich in limestone and granite with ample exposure to the warming sun. These conditions have allowed Teroldego to thrive and adapt to the territory, leading to the creation of the appellation of Teroldego Rotaliano. The importance the variety holds to the area is clear from its name, with “oro” meaning gold, meaning the grape is “the gold one of Tirolo.”

If Terolego is the king of Trentino, then the queen of Teroldego is Elisabetta Foradori. No other producer has had a bigger impact on its success than her. For a long time, Teroldego’s dark color led to the grape’s overproduction to add color to the more anemic wines of Northern Italy. After taking over her family estate in 1984, Elisabetta began propagating Teroldego vines through massal selection and is credited with restoring the grape’s reputation. She follows biodynamic principles and makes various expressions of Teroldego from different vineyard sites employing different methods of elevage - from amphora to oak.

The Granato is the estate’s most noble wine, which put the Teroldego, and Elisabetta, on the map. First released in 1986, from grapes coming from three of the best parcels with vines planted 70-90 years ago.

Cassis, dark cherry, subtle undertones baking spice, damp forest floor, and lifted vibrant, acidity.