James Suckling – South Tyrol Report 2025

Andrian's Burgundian classic finds its southern Alpine interpretation between 300 and 500 metres on calcareous clay-dolomite soils. These lower-lying sites offer the Pinot Bianco optimal ripening conditions: early morning sunshine with sufficient coolness for the thin-skinned, pressure-sensitive berries. Temperature-controlled fermentation in stainless steel and six months of refinement on the fine lees give Finado its characteristic texture and complexity.

Fine, slightly aromatic Sauvignon with a typically idiosyncratic varietal bouquet reminiscent of nettle and elderberry. Wonderfully lively fruit on the palate with notes of green pepper, mint and gooseberry and a savoury, crisp acidity. The finish is long and leaves a chalky minerality that is emphasised by a hint of tropical flowers. SUPERIORE.DE

Typical Chardonnay with complex aromas of exotic fruits, pie crust and apple compote. Harmonious and fresh elegance on the palate, powerful and long. SUPERIORE.DE

Pinot Bianco Berg offers soft, savoury aromas of white stone fruit, alpine herbs and Spanish broom. The palate is creamy and polished, with juicy pear, ripe yellow apple and hazelnut, before finishing with a fresh citrus note. SUPERIORE.DE

Floral and slightly spicy, stimulating bouquet of green apple, peach and melon. Aromatic freshness, fullness and harmony on the palate. Fine, clean and very harmonious quality. SUPERIORE.DE

La Manina, a vibrant white wine from biodynamic cultivation in the Dolomites region, is characterised by freshness and loyalty to its origins. The 2024 vintage was characterised by sunny days, cool mountain nights and healthy grapes with a pronounced aroma. After being harvested by hand, it ferments at controlled temperatures in stainless steel. It is then aged on fine lees for a few months to promote texture and structure.

The vineyards are located in the village of Nalles at 330 to 400 metres above sea level, and if you look beyond the church tower, practically the entire mountain face is planted with Sauvignon Blanc. Solid and typical South Tyrolean Sauvignon Bianco with lively flavours of elderberry and gooseberry. Fine and medium-bodied on the palate with good acidity and a harmonious finish. SUPERIORE.DE

Eppan-Berg Schulthaus Pinot Bianco is a true classic among South Tyrolean Pinot Blancs. Its success began in 1982, when it was first vinified and bottled. A perfect, delicately fruity and fresh wine that is a pleasure to savour with its creamy softness and racy acidity. Smells of fresh spring green, the generous palate is characterised by mirabelle plum, nectarine and a vibrant freshness that leads to a refreshing finish with lemon and minerals. SUPERIORE.DE

The evening fall winds of the Mendel Mountains characterise the entire terroir of the St. Michael-Eppan winery. They ensure cool nights and give the grapes those extraordinary characteristics that characterise the aromas, unmistakable freshness and longevity of the wines. The fall wind is the natural force that blows over the vineyard every day, positively influencing the climate and supporting the valuable work of the winegrowers at the cooperative winery.

The evening fall winds of the Mendel Mountains characterise the entire terroir of the St. Michael-Eppan winery. They ensure cool nights and give the grapes the extraordinary characteristics that characterise the aromas, unmistakable freshness and longevity of the wines. The fall wind is the natural force that blows over the vineyard every day, positively influencing the climate and supporting the valuable work of the winegrowers at the cooperative winery.

Strong yellow colour, elegant and fragrant bouquet of exotic fruits, peach, lemon peel, hazelnut and chalk. Medium to full-bodied with layers of ripe fruit and bright, penetrating acidity. Polished, long and delicate finish. SUPERIORE.DE

Pinot Grigio is sometimes mass-produced in northern Italy. Millions of bottles, pale style, interchangeable. And then there is the Cantina Terlan, alongside a few other serious winegrowers. At 270 to 350 metres, on the gently sloping porphyry slopes around Terlan, the Ruländer – as its old, more appropriate name – tells a different story. Hand-picked, gentle pressing, slow fermentation in steel, 5–7 months on the fine lees: a vinification that gives the grape variety room to show itself.

The name Glarea is of Rhaeto-Romanic origin and means gravel. The grapes for this mineral and very harmonious Chardonnay grow at an altitude of around 250 metres on the lower part of the Höllenbach debris cone in soils rich in limestone and gravel. Thanks to the low hillside location and the proximity to the valley floor, a unique microclimate is created here, characterised by considerable temperature fluctuations. During the day, the Glarea vineyards enjoy very warm temperatures, which are replaced by cool air masses in the late hours of the night and early morning, giving it a lovely tautness and freshness.

Medium golden yellow colour. Spicy, intense nose with aromas of roses, lychee and lily blossom. Powerful and round on the palate with a full, creamy texture. Piquant and mineral notes are flanked by a fresh acidity and notes of apricot and honeydew melon. Gewürztraminer Stoass ends harmoniously in a finely fruity and smooth finish. SUPERIORE.DE

Here the name becomes the programme: Michael Graf Goëss-Enzenberg gave this wine its title because it tastes like Manincor itself. The essence of the hills that surround the estate, the view over Lake Kaltern, the strength and warmth of the warmest vineyards in South Tyrol – all come together in this glass. Grapes from Manincor and Panholzerhof, both at 250 metres, south-eastern slopes with sandy clay soils full of limestone gravel and glacial deposits. Lagrein, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon – three grape varieties, one home. Each batch is vinified separately, partly spontaneously with wild yeasts in wooden, concrete and stainless steel vats. Ten days of gentle maceration, only dipped once a day for fine-grained tannins. Matured for twelve months in used wooden barrels of various sizes.

Delicately shimmering ruby red colour. Ripe plums, red cherries, lemon peel, dried flowers and earth on the nose. Medium-bodied with fine tannins and bright acidity. Darker fruits, spices and minerals come into play on the flavourful finish. Very floral and pretty on the nose with sliced strawberries and citrus. Medium body, very fine tannins and a fresh, supple finish. SUPERIORE.DE

Brilliant ruby red with a light-coloured rim. Very precise bouquet of blackberry, raspberry and spices. The palate is light and lively, with an elegant and deep fruit component accompanied by a delicate bitter note and fine spice. A very elegant and juicy Pinot Nero with good Storage potential. SUPERIORE.DE

The name Manna evokes biblical associations, but the true story is even more beautiful: Franz Haas dedicated this extraordinary wine to his wife Maria Luisa Manna in 1995 – a token of love in bottle form that unites the philosophy of the winery in a single cuvée. What began as an assemblage of Riesling, Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer and Sauvignon Blanc was expanded to include Kerner from 2013 onwards – five grape varieties, five personalities that merge into a harmonious symbiosis. The vineyards are located between 350 and 800 metres above sea level in a south-westerly direction on geologically highly diverse soils: dolomite, porphyry, sand and marl give each plot its own character. The grapes ripen at different times and are harvested and vinified separately – chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc ferment in barriques, while Riesling, Gewürztraminer and Kerner ferment in stainless steel tanks. After fermentation, the young wines are blended and left to rest on the fine lees for around ten months, followed by further months of bottle ageing. This patient approach results in a wine of exceptional complexity.