The framework essay argues that nine wine regions across three countries form a single category, Alpine wine, whose shared identity has long been obscured by national borders.

Valle d’Aosta is Italy’s smallest wine region. Beneath Mont Blanc, its indigenous white grape Prié grows ungrafted at up to 1,200 metres, beyond phylloxera’s reach.

Valtellina in Lombardy grows Nebbiolo, locally called Chiavennasca, on some 2,500 kilometres of dry-stone terraces. The valley was under Swiss rule for nearly three centuries.

Alto Adige / Südtirol is a German- and Italian-speaking region around Bolzano, known for Lagrein and Schiava. Gewürztraminer takes its name from Tramin, one of its villages.

Trentino is the Alpine arc’s largest wine region, its climate softened by Lake Garda. Teroldego dominates the Campo Rotaliano, and Nosiola makes Vino Santo.