Val di Fiemme and Anterselva – Endurance and Purity

With the inclusion of Val di Fiemme in Trentino and Anterselva/Antholz in Alto Adige, the Olympic narrative of Milano – Cortina 2026 moves into the realm of Nordic sports. Predazzo and Tesero are set to host ski jumping, Nordic combined, and cross-country skiing. Meanwhile, Anterselva/Antholz will serve as the venue for the biathlon.

These disciplines shift the focus from raw speed to endurance, from explosive power to the management of rhythm, and from immediate spectacle to prolonged concentration. This paradigm shift finds a natural parallel in the most rigorous high-altitude viticulture. Here, wine is not the result of extreme gestures, but of patient constancy, season after season; the mountain demands balance, continuity, and precision.

High-Altitude Climate – Wide Diurnal Temperature Range, Vitis Vinifera and Hybrid Varieties

While vine growing is rarely practised directly within Val di Fiemme, the area is intrinsically linked to the neighbouring and contiguous Val di Cembra. This is an area of heroic viticulture, defined by significant diurnal temperature range and terraced vineyards on steep slopes, often exceeding altitudes of 500 metres.

In this environment, fresh and aromatic wines are produced. The principal grape varieties include Müller Thurgau, Chardonnay, Riesling, and Pinot Noir, the historical gworn Schiava variety and high-quality traditional method sparkling wines, specifically Trento DOC.

In Alto-Adige, the Val Pusteria, and specifically the Anterselva Valley, is considered to have altitudes too high and a climate too harsh for large-scale viticulture. While vine growing in Alto- Adige is primarily concentrated in other areas with milder climates and lower elevations, there are virtuous examples of micro-productions that rely on fungus-resistant grape varieties (PIWI), such as Muscaris and Solaris.

PIWI (an acronym for the German Pilzwiderstandsfähig) refers to hybrid varieties selected to naturally resist powdery mildew and downy mildew. This resistance allows for a drastic reduction in vineyard treatments. Consequently, PIWI wines represent a more environmentally respectful form of viticulture, showcasing an innovative and sustainable approach to vine cultivation.

In the next and final episode, our narrative will return to the valley floor in Verona. This will symbolically close the journey, weaving together the final threads of winter sports, wine regions and wine.

Series Index

1. Winter Olympics and Wine – A Tale of the Milano-Cortina 2026 Territories: Why talk about Wine During the Winter Olympics.
2. Milan – The Urban Stage of the Winter Olympics: Indoor sports, major events, and the role of urban and foothills Lombardy in the regional viticultural landscape.
3. Valtellina – The Nebbiolo of the Alps: Men’s Alpine skiing, ski mountaineering, and heroic viticulture in the heart of the Lombardy Alps.
4. Cortina d’Ampezzo and the Dolomites – Elegance and Altitude: Women’s alpine skiing, speed sports, and dolomitic soils between Veneto and Alto Adige.
5. Val di Fiemme and Anterselva – Endurance and Purity: Cross-country skiing, biathlon, and mountain wines amidst rhythm, concentration, and Alpine identity.
6. Verona – The Closing of the Games and the Oenological Heart of Veneto: Closing ceremony and the story of the great Venetian wine territories.

Each article will explore the link between sport, region, and wine, offering an original perspective on the 2026 Winter Olympics.