NEW YORK, NY -- (Marketwire) -- 01/10/13 -- Each New Year, we make the same resolutions: lose weight, start eating right, and hit the gym. This year keep your resolution to eat right, but don't sacrifice flavor. A fantastic way to bring out the zest in healthy dishes is to pair a great glass of wine. One glass of wine adds only about 100 calories to your meal, but it also adds vivid flavor, character and complexity to your food. In wine, it is the alcohol that has the calories, and wines from Alto Adige have moderate alcohol content, with fewer calories, not to mention an understated elegance.

Sophisticated indigenous red varietals from Alto Adige like Lagrein, add a kick to otherwise lighter cuisine, with its aromas of berries, fresh cherries and violets, and a velvety body with soft acidity. The lesser-known Schiava grape produces a gorgeous mild red wine, that's easy-going and versatile with lighter fare.

Spice up your lunch menu of raw kale salad, with blood orange and Meyer lemon, by pairing a glass of Pinot Bianco, native to Alto Adige. With floral, beeswax and green apple notes, Pinot Bianco is refreshingly lively and has enough body to stand up to kale's green, earthy flavor and superfood nutritional value.

Light Asian-inspired dishes like Szechuan-style tofu and brown rice, or Thai Basil with steamed chicken may seem a bit bland, but by adding a glass of Gewürztraminer from Alto Adige with its spice, rich litchi flavors, and vibrant acidity, these healthy Asian dishes get an exotic flavor boost.

In addition to the traditional veggies, and Asian flavors, a bowl-full of hearty and healthy soup is perfect for cuddling up with this winter. Try an organic carrot soup pureed with ginger and chive. Add a glass of Kerner from Alto Adige with aromatic spice, hints of nutmeg and refined fruitiness, and a simple soup becomes a robust meal.

This New Year, enjoy healthy cuisine brought to life with the vibrant bold flavors of Alto Adige's native grapes. Sophisticated wines with depth and character mean you don't have to sacrifice taste when counting calories.

For more information on the wines of Alto Adige visit www.altoadigewines.com. To request samples of wines and for pairing suggestions, please contact, Elyse Genderson, Cornerstone Communications by email at egenderson@cornerstonepr.com or by phone at 212-605-0370.

ALTO ADIGE / SÜDTIROL WINE MARKETING BOARD
The Alto Adige Wine Board was formed in 1975 by a group of winemaking companies to promote and strengthen the image of the wines from Alto Adige. The promotional campaigns are implemented by the Export Organization South Tyrol (EOS) of the Chamber of Commerce Bolzano on behalf of the Consortium of Alto Adige Wines. The Alto Adige Wine Board is active in Italy, Germany, Austria, England, Benelux, Switzerland and in the United States.

ALTO ADIGE WINES PROVINUS US MARKETING CAMPAIGN
The objectives of the PROVINUS campaign, co-financed by the Italian State and the European Union, are to increase overall awareness of the DOC wines from Alto Adige, demonstrate their versatility with a wide range of foods, and showcase the diverse palette of wines that emanate from such a unique winegrowing region.