Casteller is a red-wine DOC of the Trentino-Alto Adige wine region in the far north of Italy. The title was granted in 1974, and covers soft-styled reds based on Merlot, Schiava (both Schiava Grossa and Schiava Gentile), Lambrusco (Lambrusco a Foglia Frastagliata, in this case) and Lagrein. This combination of grape varieties reflects the influences of the Veneto region to the south and Alto Adige to the north.
Covering more than 45 communes, the DOC catchment area is cast broadly over the Trentino province. It stretches from Avio and Ala in the south right up to Mezzocorona at the provincial border with Alto Adige (Sudtirol). Most of its vines are to be found on the lower slopes of the Adige valley, so mountainous is the surrounding topography. There is also an outcrop of vineyards around Lake Caldonazzo, just east of the provincial capital Trento.
A typical Casteller wine is relatively full bodied (quite distinct from the lightish Schiava-based reds from Alto Adige) with earthy undertones and a ripe, fruity aroma leaning towards baked plums and red berries. In the case of wines made with a higher proportion of Lagrein, there may be noticeable tannins despite the otherwise light tannin levels of Lambrusco and Merlot.
The vineyards which produce Casteller wines sit at altitudes anywhere between 400ft and 2000ft (122m and 610m), which creates considerable variation in the wines they generate. The advantage of the region's many co-operatives becomes clear when deciding whether to combine the output of multiple producers to create a consistent style or to keep them separate and encourage diversity.
