Snow Covered Mountains

Yerri Valley, Navarra

It would seem a little odd if I didn’t mention the wine producer who first brought mountain wines to my attention. Jose Maria Fraile started Tandem in 2003 with winemaker Alicia Eyaralar. Located in the coolest area of the Navarra D.O at the foothills of the Sierras Urbasa and Andia mountains the average vineyard altitude is 600m. Tandem is the essence of new wave Spain and produces wines unlike any other winery in Navarra. Jose Maria always jokes about the Tandem paradox, the fact they are an ultra-modern, state-of-the-art winery that uses the old-fashioned way of making wines; minimum intervention, concrete tanks and cap plunging in a gravity-fed winery. Their wines are elegant and fresh, reminiscent of the crisp, pure air of the Yerri Valley.

Alto Adige, Italy

Anyone crazy about mountains knows Alto Adige. The incredible Dolomite mountain range is the backdrop to a picture postcard region. With vineyards ranging from 300 metres to the highest around 1,000 metres above sea level this really is the natural habitat for mountain wines and one of the reasons it is seen as Italy’s top region for white wines. In the Southern part of Alto Adige on the east-facing slopes of the Roen mountain you will find one of Italy’s most awarded wineries, Cantina Tramin. Their wines reflect nature’s ability to engage the senses – elegant, aromatic whites with a purity of fruit that can only be produced in crisp mountain air.

Tupungato, Argentina

With an eye line dominated by the Tupungato volcano, one of Argentina’s highest peaks at 6,500m, the region produces wines with attitude. Vineyards range from 1,000m right up to the base of Mount Tupungato itself at 1,300m. The vineyards of Andeluna are all in the highest part and their excellent location has helped the winery quickly become one of the regions standout producers. Even their labels pay homage to their location with the core ranges called 1300 and Altitud. The mountain position gives their wines intense colours, supreme levels of concentration, pronounced aromas and complexity that is hard to find at this price point.

Amyndeon, Greece

Greece’s coolest wine growing region is in North West Macedonia just below the Varnous and Verno mountains. The Amyndeon plain may be 1500m lower than the highest peaks but the cold winters with plenty of snow give the vines the necessary water to endure the relatively dry summer. The jewel in the crown from this area is Alpha Estate. In 2013 the estate was nominated as one of Wine and Spirits Wineries of the Year and received hugely favourable ratings from both Jancis Robinson’s Purple Pages and erobertparker. Their Xinomavro-based reds have high altitude precision that recalls top quality Nebbiolo or Pinot Noir.

Troodos Mountains, Cyprus

The ski resorts in Mount Olympus are normally open from early January to the end of March, but snow can fall at any time between December and April. The highest point is only 1,951m above sea-level so far lower than the peaks of central Europe but the Troodos Mountains are home to Europe’s highest cellars in the Kyperounda Winery. With grapes that are harvested in November wines such as the Petritis made from 100% Xynestri have all the hang-time in the world to mature. The results are rich but crisp white wines full of refreshing cool-climate fruit.

Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan

“Yama” means mountain and the area 100km west of Tokyo is dominated by large mountains, typically over 3000m, including the country’s most famous landmark, Mount Fuji. The region is home to the flourishing Japanese wine industry and the native Japanese grape called Koshu – the name actually comes from the region which was formerly known as Koshu. The mix of cold winters and cool summers, well-drained volcanic soils and the Koshu grape gives clean, delicate, distinctive wines reflective of their mountainous home.