Okay so this revolutionary idea took root in the German speaking Alto Adige, but it could work elsewhere
In Italy you hear it all the time – from wine region to wine region.
“The problem is we are Italian!” The lament goes. “We are individuals. We cannot cooperate! We cannot get anything done in a group.”
My advice: Stop whining already and look at the places where some degree of cooperation over a shared identity is actually working in wine.
One such place is in the deep south on Sicily, where a few visionary and dedicated families have led the way towards quality wines, organic agriculture, and a much improved image.
The other pole of positive cooperation is in the way north near Austria – in the country’s (mostly German-speaking) South Tyrol aka Alto Adige.
Here in tiny Kurtatsch/ Cortaccia a group of small grape and apple farmers farmers of the local coop launched a revolution about a decade ago – looking beyond immediate market trends to future excellence.
I love the Kurtatsch story as a shining example for Italian wine and the wine world at large. Read it in the latest Robert Camuto Meets… at winespectator.com