From: Alto Adige, Italy
Varietal: Pinot Grigio
Taste & Critical Acclaim: “Light copper-orange color. Fascinating and classy orange wine with cranberries, cantaloup and flowers. Medium- to full-bodied with pretty, caressing phenolics and a long and flavorful finish that shows apricots and oranges. Can age. One of the best orange wines from Italy. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.” 96 Points, James Suckling
“This distinctive version is a light tawny hue, with wafts of dried marjoram and mace interwoven with flavors of creamed strawberry, white cherry and tobacco, with a subtle, salty underpinning. Fresh and well-cut, with good length and light, chalky texture on the finish. Drink now through 2030. 950 cases made, 150 cases imported.” 92 Points, Wine Spectator
Pairing: For regional options, consider pairing it with Tortellini di Zucca (pumpkin tortellini from Emilia-Romagna) to enhance the wine’s subtle sweetness, or Risotto al Teroldego, a hearty dish from Trentino made by cooking creamy risotto with Teroldego wine, which imparts the risotto with rich, fruity flavors and a deep red hue.
For contemporary dishes, pair the wine with a grilled salmon topped with a citrus glaze to echo its orange and apricot notes or a roasted pork loin with a mustard and herb crust to highlight the wine's phenolic grip or a kale and quinoa salad with a lemon-tahini dressing would contrast the wine's complex and textured finish.
Orange-Glazed Baked Salmon
By Farideh Sadeghin
About. Azienda Agricola Foradori, located in the northern Italian region of Alto Adige, is one of the country's most respected and renowned wineries, with a deep-rooted history in producing indigenous grape varieties, particularly Teroldego. The estate was founded in 1901, but its modern legacy began when Elisabetta Foradori took over in 1984 following her father's passing. At 19 years old, she embarked on a mission to revitalize the family estate, modernize its practices, and elevate its wines, bringing them to international recognition.
Elisabetta is celebrated for her pioneering work with the Teroldego grape, an Indigenous variety that was largely overlooked at the time. She recognized its potential and devoted herself to refining its expression through organic and biodynamic farming, eventually becoming a symbol of this renaissance. Over the years, she has become a prominent voice for biodynamics, leading by example through her commitment to farming with respect for the land, biodiversity, and long-term sustainability.
A significant milestone came in the early 2000s when the Foradori estate officially converted to biodynamic farming. This transition was more than a change in agricultural techniques; it was a philosophical shift toward creating wines deeply connected to their terroir, which expresses the land's natural cycles. Elisabetta's focus on biodiversity, soil health, and minimal intervention in the vineyard and the cellar reflects her dedication to crafting wines with integrity and a sense of place.
The Foradori estate is nestled in the Campo Rotaliano, a small but highly distinctive Trentino area within the broader region of Alto Adige. This area lies at the foothills of the majestic Dolomite Mountains, which provide a stunning backdrop and significantly influence the local climate and terroir. The estate benefits from a alpine-continental environment, where the cool temperatures and the stark diurnal shifts play a crucial role in shaping the character of the wines.
