Ep. 1004 Marina Schmohl | Wine, Food & Travel With Marc Millon

Welcome to the Italian wine podcast. This episode is brought to you by Vinitally International Academy, announcing the twenty fourth of our Italian wine Ambassador courses to be held in London, Austria, and Hong Kong. From the twenty seventh to the twenty ninth of July. Are you up for the challenge of this demanding course? Do you want to be the next Italian wine Ambassador? Learn more and apply now at viniti international dot com. Welcome to this special five star wines and wine without walls series on wine food and travel with me, Mark Millen, on Italian wine podcast. For the next weeks, we will be focusing on a dozen trophy winning wineries from the competitions that took place in verona at the start of Vin Italy in early April. The winning wines are without doubt some of the very best that Italy has to offer. What I'm most interested in discovering are the stories behind the bottles, learning about the wines themselves, of course, and also about the people who make them. Where they're from, what they eat, how they live. It's a fascinating journey that will take us all across Italy, and I hope you will join me. Welcome to wine food and travel with me, Mark Millen, on Italian wine podcast. In this special five star wines and wine without walls edition, I'm delighted to shine a spotlight on Cantina Aldino. Cantina Aldano entered a number of wines in the prestigious five star wines competition, and all of them scored very high marks. So it's a real pleasure to, introduce this important cooperative winery. My guest today is Marina Schmolle, who joins me from Aldeno. Cha, Marina. Thanks for being my guest today, and welcome to the show. Hello to everybody. Chow to everybody. Now, Marina, the aim of this podcast is to give our listener the stories behind the outstanding wines that did so well in the competition. First of all, I'd like to let our listeners gain an impression of where you are, where is Aldeno and the landscape, the wine country, really something about just so they can picture this beautiful place. Yes. So all day, you know, all day, you know, a little village, we are, near the main town in Tarantino, which is Trento, and it is a a special place because, we are very close to Trento. And in the same times, very close to the mountains that are, near Aldeno where you have possibility in summer and winter to enjoy the nature. And wineyards go to the the north of the region direction south. So it is, quite a wide area. And, we are in the south part of Tarantino, in direction of Lake Garden. The biggest lake in Italy, of course. Okay. So the Adijay River is flowing down, and you're in the wine hills above this mighty river. Is that right? Exactly. We are on the right side of the Adijay River, and the wine house are from two hundred meters above sea level. And they reach eight hundred and sixty meters above the sea level at the moment. Okay. That's very, very high. So I'm just picturing these beautiful hills rising from the Adijay Valley covered with vines, and an area that really historically has had a lot of small farms. And I guess that's perhaps why the Aldano cooperative first began. Can you tell us a little bit about the history of the, Aldeno cooperative? Yes. As you said, Aldeno, was founded in ninety ten, and, was born as a cooperative, like other reality in Tarantino. And, these, was necessary to give the possibility to the lot of produce, a lot of very small vineyards to to have the opportunity to bring their grapes and to to have a value of their work in the wine yard. So Trentino is very, very close with the cooperative story. Cantino, the Adeno, at the moment, is composed by three hundred and eighty members. Which work, three hundred and thirty five hectares. Okay. So it's not a huge cooperative, but it's an important one, all the same. And I think it's a very important point that you've made, marina, that the cooperative movement was very important in Trentino. And indeed, today as the five star wines awards has shown some of the best wines from your area are made in cooperative wineries. You explained as well that small wine growers wouldn't really have the the ability to make and market wines on their own, and that's why it's so important. To have this grouping of producers. Exactly. That is. Yeah. So these three hundred and eighty members would all have their own vineyards, bring their grapes, to the cantina to be processed and turned into a whole exciting range of wines. Yes. Now a number of your wines did very well in five star wines. And, I know that the Cantina produces a full range of wines from Trento, from the Trento Doc sparkling wines through a range of white wines, outstanding red wines, and even dessert wines. Let's talk about some of the wines that scored very well in the five star wines beginning with perhaps the Trentino Doc Gewvert Stromina two thousand and twenty one. Tell us a little bit about this aromatic grape variety that, is quite important where you are. Yes. So, first of all, I would say that, all these wines, so you mentioned it, the Gubestranina, two thousand twenty one, And, we can add also Gubustraminer, bio, and the other two, Miller Turgo, and the pinonero. But important is to underline that these wine are the result of a project, so to say a quality project, which, in in which the the the grapes are paid outside outside the the the official quotation. So it it is good to them. It is given a value. Indeed it is compared with quality, and that is important to say that this is a result of a special project. So the the gewurztraminer is the aromatic grape. It's very interesting in our area because of its, strong, so importance in in the nose, and also the the persistence, in tasting. And the middle of Turgar is the last one, which was produced in this selection. And then we have pinot airlock pinot noir with the it's arrogance. And but I would say that all are the result of this very, very special project, which means also that the location of the wine arts are special. So they are, all above five hundred meters above the sea level. And, we speak about the right work because the wines are very steep. So this is the situation, of all the wines, which had these special. Okay. Yes. That's a very important point you've made, Marina. In a cooperative, there obviously growers that have different situations all around the area. And the cooperative is rewarding quality by paying a premium on the great varieties that come into the cantina in order to encourage labor intensive vineyards, these steep vineyards at high altitudes that will be yielding much lower amounts of grapes than grapes grown on the lower flatter vineyards, and it's a way to really select quality. And, that's very important. It's very important for our listeners to understand how a good cooperative works to to really encourage the best wines. You've mentioned that this is part of a project. Is that what the, tasing flumen ranges, or is that something else? No. It's something else. Because Arthur's Influ. My first of all, we speak about the name. It is the name of the river Adije. This is, so. And then, Arthur's Influ in close, wine. It's a line of wines, destinations, to a big diffusion in, in restaurant wine bar and, they are young wines, fresh wines, ones that are to be drank within a a short time, we speak about a good ratio between price and quality. So I would say it is an easy line, but, but includes ones that can be used, in many, many situation. And artist influman, we have another line, Katinaldino. For example, x Newziwi. And in this case, we speak about a selection of wine, wines, that are made with special methods, of production, for example, So we have many, many lines, many selection for every kind of need on the market. Of course. Okay. Thanks for that clarification. I think One thing that is really outstanding about, the Trentino region as a whole is that it's one of the few areas that can produce wines across the range beginning with The trento doc, the sparkling wine from the mountains, a really different methodo classical sparkling wine than, say, Franca Court, or Alta Long, tell us a little bit about the Trento Doc sparkling one. Yes. As you said, exactly, mountain bubbles, it is a very interesting moment for this kind of wines. So trying to doc, represents, of course, the the the one of them most important production in Tarantino. This is due to the possibility to grow the chardonnay and the pinonero in very, very high wineyards. And we have to thank the climate changing because, we have important discussion in temperature between day and night and, in the summer during the summer too. But in the same times, we reach a perfect, writing of these, these grapes. So trying to doc, can really represent an interest being method of plastic in Italy. And, I would say also all over the world at the moment. We have, twelve millions bottles in production. And sixty five different producers in Tarantino. So So it's a very important part of the Antino's work. Yes. I think, it I think it's, something that our listeners should look out for. As you say, we're talking about, chardonnay and pinot narrow grapes grown at high altitude in the mountains to keep that freshness, that acidity, which is so important for quality bottle fermented sparkling wines. And yet also, the ripeness that comes from fully mature grapes that maintain the acidity makes it a really lovely, important method classic method sparkling wine. So it's something for listeners to look out for and try to find the Trentle Doc sparkling wines. Thank you for listening to Italian wine podcast. We know there are many of you listening out there, so we just want to interrupt for a small ask. Italian wine podcast is in the running for an award, the best podcast listening platform. Through the podcast awards, the people's choice. Lister nominations is from July first to the thirty first, and we would really appreciate your vote. We are hoping our listeners will come through for us. So if you have a second and could do this small thing for us, just head to Italian wine podcast dot com from July first to the thirty first and click the link. We thank you and back to the show. Now, I know you, Macantino, also produces, a lot of wines from the indigenous or autochtinous, great varieties. And can we just talk about three red grape varieties that are perhaps not so well known, but maybe just briefly tell us the characteristics of each and why they are, you know, really important expressions of of the Trentino vineyard. Yeah. Good. A typical grape of the area, the region. So good. This represents, a simply a a simply kind of wine is a rosato fresh in media fluid. Perhaps, it was forgotten in, for many years, because, people, so that there were, more important wines, to produce, but Kiava has an identity in our region. And then, the La Grane La Grane, represents a red wine, which has the possibility for a good aging. It's a rate which is, produced also in, to add to the region that, is at the border with the Tarantino. And the is the is a known denomination in Trentina, and represents, the the the the combination a grape and soil in a perfect way. It's a red wine, quite, with a good body and, good possibility of aging to, like, lagrange. It's very it's very near to the lagrange all ago. They are, so to say relatives. Okay. Important great varieties, again, for visitors to the area and important names. I often say to people that, you know, when you encounter Italian wines that you've never you're not familiar with the name. Those are the wines to try because they are the ones that have the character of a region that, you know, really reflect part of its history and culture. As in, for example, the Terol Dego, which has been grown on the piano or Taliano for forever, really. Pino Nero on the other hand is more well known Pino Nero, which received a very high points in the five star wines. But in Trentino, it's expressing itself in a in a different way perhaps from from other areas. Tell me a little bit about the pinot at all. Yes. Pinonero. Pinonero, the the the two ways of pinonero, once we speak as in this case of, a red wine, very, very elegant. I would say a class classic interpretation of, you know, and then the other part of this rape is used, of course, in producing of trying to dock as a Of course. I guess you've used the word elegance. I think that to me sums up often lines from Trentina and from the Cantina Haldeno. It's there's a balance and an elegance they're very Italian in style, even if the grape varieties aren't always readily recognizable, and, they're really wines to seek out. Now, also, they're wines at almost without exception can be enjoyed demand to be enjoyed with food. Let's talk about the gastronomy of Trendino, but also of Aldeno. Are there local specialties? Are there foods that every visitor must try when they come to the area. Adino is so to say in the heart of Tarantino. So if that, you know, where you can enjoy all the specialty of this region. And, we have many. We can speak, for example, polenta and, meat. So it could be willed. It could be lukannica. It could be the salumid. It could be pork meat. So We we are a mountain area. So we eat, sometimes a little heavy. And, back to this, this, specialty combines good with many of our wines. And then, I would mention also mountain cheese, which has increased in the last years because we have, a good production and young people, got to back to the mountain to produce these cheeses. And, what to say, we have, also many lakes. And so in our specialty, we find also the fish of these lakes, a trout, a chair. And then, Canadaly, Canadaly, what are Canadaly. Canada are so enough of balls made with bread. And we can pick sometimes a little cheese. And, then, we can put this, mountain butter on, and aroma designed with a little sage for example. And then our switch through the through the, of course, it's, it's, cake made with apples, not only in twenty, all the other of Transino and to Adija, Austria. We have to remember that Francino, was in, right now, still in Garico until ninety eighteen. And it is a part of the story of this region. And so, the the specialty are the result of, its history too. Yes. That's a very, very, important point to remember this history of Trentino Alto adige. Only becoming part of Italy in nineteen eighteen after the end of world war one. And so these flavors of the cuisine, it's such an interesting mix in Trentina. Because we're very clearly in Italy, but the flavors do have this Austrian influence. Pemento, of course, being the food of the Veneto, the Trevenetje, this almost like a porridge made from cornmeal that is the bread of the area eaten with with as you say, with cheese, with salumi, or with a richer stew of a spencetino, maybe some game. And, you know, really important to the diet. As you say, it's a mountain cuisine, canardly, which you mentioned, canardly are one of my favorites things to have when I'm in Tarantino. It's sort of a little dumpling, I guess you would call that. Flavored with the spec. And to me, that's the taste of of Trentino. What wine do you think goes best with the canard lead? Yeah. Good cananderly. If you if you eat them with butter and sage, you can, combine, for example, so a semi aromatic, wine and not so heavy, not so strong, for example. And then, we have also the whites for all, the fish from the lakes, so throat and chair, combining good with New Zealand and New Zealand is another local grape from the region, but in this case, you could also with All the our whites, are quite fresh and, good minerality, not so so heavy in Alcor And so, they are, eat a lot also for dishes with fish from the lakes. Okay. And with the, Terroldego, for example, what would be the the food, you would say, is ideal. Would that be a or? Yeah. You spoke about, Pauline, and so why not, good. Okay. Great. And with that wonderful, Apple strudel, that is from the Austrian heritage, perhaps, one of your sweet wines. Yeah. We produce the Moscato, you know, it is a a blowner of Moscato in around the castle, of bezing, you know, And there are, only four, wineries at the moment that, produce this Moscato and the wine of, this wine list is, and I would say this that no. No. It is a sweet wine. Because we speak about passito, our passito is that that is, classic or passito. From the nosiola? Yeah. Exactly. Okay. Final question, Marina. What would what would you say would be the attraction for visitors to come to Aldano? What should they come to discover? Apart from, of course, discovering wonderful wine and food. What do people do when they visit? Is it a tourist area? So, it is a tourist area in, in this way. So, of course, you can enjoy the nature and you can, walk, on the mountain, they are very close. But, the attraction, refers, especially to for, the cycling, because we have a cycling wave from the border far from house area to the Lake Gardas, so you can cycle, from, in Spruit to LaGuarda. And you cross exactly the area of Valdeno. So interesting also for for that, reason. And you reach the lakes. So we have mountain lakes here. You can cycle, among the wines. And, you are very close also to to visit this very nice town. Also, with an important history also for, that, conchil, important period for, for the region and for, Trent, of course. Okay. Well, I mean, that sounds wonderful. I'm a cyclist myself. So cycling, vineyards, wine, food, walking. It's a beautiful place to visit. I can't wait to, do exactly what you say. Perhaps, fly to innsbrook and cycle down through, the Alto adige down to, Lago de Garta. Marina, thank you very much for sharing this wonderful picture that you've given us of both the Cantina Aldano and also of the Aldano area and Trentino as a whole. It's been a real pleasure talking to you today. So thank you very much for being my guest. With thank you, and we wait for you in Katina, Dilden, for a nice negotiation or special events. So we are always open to our visit. Oh, well, I look forward to that myself too. Thank you very much. I hope we meet soon. You're welcome. Ciao. Bye bye. Thanks for listening to this episode of Italian wine podcast brought to you by Vineetalee Academy. Home of the gold standard of Italian wine education. Do you want to be the next ambassador? Apply online at benito international dot com. For courses in London, Austria, and Hong Kong, the twenty seventh to the twenty ninth of July. Remember to subscribe and like Italian wine podcast and catch us on SoundCloud, Spotify, and wherever you get your pods. You can also find our entire back catalog of episodes at Italian wine podcast dot com. Hi, guys. I'm Joy Livingston, and I am the producer of the Italian wine podcast. Thank you for listening. We are the only wine podcast that has been doing a daily show since the pandemic began. This is a labor of love and we are committed to bringing you free content every day. 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