Lagrein: South Tyrol's own dark red grape
Lagrein is an old native grape from the valleys of South Tyrol (Alto Adige), at the very top of northern Italy. Its name points to the Vallagarina valley in Trentino, but its heartland is around Bolzano, above all the Gries district. In the warm Bolzano basin the vines grow on sandy soils of weathered porphyry, which give the grape the heat and the long ripening season it needs. Written records mention Lagrein in Gries as far back as the Middle Ages.
DNA research shows that Lagrein descends from Teroldego, is a sibling of Marzemino and is related to both Syrah and Pinot Noir. Today it is South Tyrol's second most planted red grape after Vernatsch (Schiava). Outside the region there are only small plantings, including in Australia and California.
What does Lagrein wine taste like? Dunkel, Kretzer and blends
Lagrein makes a deeply coloured, almost blue-black red wine with aromas of dark cherries, plums and violets. On the palate come cocoa, a touch of spice and an earthy, mineral edge, carried by fresh acidity and noticeable but rarely harsh tannins. The lighter wines are juicy and fruit-forward and are made for drinking young. A Riserva is aged longer before release, often in oak, and turns denser and spicier, with room for a few years in the cellar.
On the label you will meet two classic styles. Lagrein Dunkel (Scuro) is the dark red wine, while Lagrein Kretzer (Rosato) is the South Tyrolean name for rosé: paler, fresher and full of red fruit, such as the Tramin Lagrein Rosè and the Terlano Lagrein Rosè Tradition. Lagrein also goes into blends. St. Magdalener, from the slopes above Bolzano, is mostly Vernatsch with a smaller share of Lagrein for colour and structure. That is why you will also find Franz Gojer's Glögglhof St. Magdalener, Kellerei Bozen's Huck am Bach and Franz Haas Sofi Rosso on this page.
Lagrein producers from South Tyrol
Gries is the core. Cantina Terlano makes its Lagrein Gries Riserva here, alongside the Porphyr Riserva. The Benedictine monastery of Muri-Gries, which has made wine in Gries since 1845, specialises in Lagrein and is represented with its Lagrein and Lagrein Riserva. Franz Gojer of Glögglhof makes the juicy Granat and a Riserva, and Kellerei Bozen adds its Perl Lagrein. From Überetsch and the Unterland come Kellerei Kaltern with the Lareith Riserva, Cantina Tramin with the Urban Riserva, Colterenzio with Mantsch and Erste+Neue with Puntay. Alois Lageder, Tiefenbrunner, Kurtatsch, Geranienfeld and Franz Haas complete the picture. For more from the area, browse our full range from Trentino-Alto Adige.
What food goes with Lagrein?
Lagrein is a food wine. It suits roasts, lamb and beef, game such as venison and wild boar, and spicy, aged cheeses. Roast pork and other hearty dishes from the Alpine kitchen work well too. Kretzer is lighter and suits simpler dishes and starters. Find more reds in our red wine range, more from the country under Italy and more fresh bottles in our rosé wine selection.
Lagrein FAQ
Where does Lagrein come from?
Lagrein comes from South Tyrol (Alto Adige) in northern Italy. The classic area is Gries near Bolzano, but the grape is grown across South Tyrol and, on a smaller scale, in Trentino.
What does Lagrein taste like?
Dark cherries, plums and violets, often with cocoa and a hint of spice. The wine has fresh acidity and firm but rounded tannins.
What is the difference between Lagrein Dunkel and Lagrein Kretzer?
Dunkel is the dark red wine, Kretzer is the rosé made from the same grape with shorter skin contact.
Does Lagrein age well?
Young Lagrein is best drunk within a few years, while a Riserva from a good producer can develop in bottle for considerably longer.