On Stage 16, Jonas Vingegaard strengthened his grip on the maglia rosa. Barring injury or accident, he will be the overall winner of the Giro d’Italia. But competition for the other jerseys are heating up: Frenchman Paul Magnier and Ecuadoran Jhonatan Narvaez are separated by just two points in the race for the maglia ciclamino, which is awarded to the rider who accumulates the most points at designated spots along each stage. And in the best young rider category (aka the white jersey) Afonso Eulalio currently leads Davide Piganzoli by about two minutes. With Piganzoli shepherding Vingegaard through the remaining mountain stages, he’s likely to pick up a few more seconds on the Portuguese rider. Should be interesting to watch . . .

Here’s a recap of the action on Stage 16:

Stage 17: Cassano d’Adda to Andalo; 202 km; mountains; 3 categorized climbs

Wednesday will be another long day of rolling hills interspersed with three categorized climbs. Not the hardest day of the Giro (that’s coming on Friday) but it will tax tired legs and test the teams’ strategic plans. Perhaps a breakaway will be “allowed” some distance, given that the GC favorites will want to measure their efforts. I keep looking for any weakness in the Visma – Lease a Bike squad but come up empty. Even after two weeks of racing, they look fresh, never failing to deliver Vingegaard to the launch pad. Hard to tell if they’re really that much better than the rest of the peloton, or have they been lucky thus far? Maybe today’s the day we find out . . .

Winemaking in Trentino-Alto Adige

Vines have been grown here for centuries, from native grapes like Schiava and Lagrein (both red) and international varieties like Pinot Grigio, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay. Chardonnay stars in the metodo classico sparkling wines produced in the region, often under the Trento DOC denomination.

Alto Adige has an Alpine/Continental climate modified by the mountains to the north (wind protection) and warm air currents that rise from the valley during the afternoon. Most vineyards lie at altitudes between 300m and 700m above sea level, where they have maximum exposure to sunlight and get the benefit of a large diurnal shift in temperature. Grapes ripen fully and retain acidity, important for well-balanced, refreshing wines.

About Ferrari Fratelli Lunelli

Founded in 1902 in Trento by Giulio Ferrari, it is considered one of Italy’s leading metodo classico wineries. The Lunelli family, which has run it since 1952, manages every phase of production, ensuring that vineyards are cultivated and cared for under sustainable protocols. Ferrari has always been a symbol of the Italian art of living, becoming a prominent part of international celebrations of culture, business, and sport. It’s also a relative bargain in the world of high-quality sparkling wines . . .

Wine Recommendation: NV Ferrari Trento DOC Brut Sparkling Wine (SRP about $34; 12.5% abv)

This wine is 100% Chardonnay, from grapes grown in certified organic vineyards. It was fermented in stainless steel tanks and aged on the lees for at least 2 years before bottling.

Pale straw yellow color with aromas of yellow apples, white flowers, and brioche. On the palate it is lively, with tart citrus and ripe orchard fruit. The high acidity provides nice balance to the fruit; the finish is long, with lasting notes of toast, lemon curd, and baked apple.

Cheers to the peloton, and an exciting race through Trentino-Alto Adige! More tomorrow in my preview of Stage 18, including another wine recommendation for you.