Wines from South Tyrol and Trentino

The Winkl has been vinified as a single variety since 1956 – at a time when Sauvignon Blanc was still a rarity in South Tyrol. Winery manager Rudi Kofler says that this grape variety has always felt at home around the oldest farms in the Terlan DOC area. You believe him when you taste the wine. The vineyards lie at 280 to 580 metres above sea level, exposed to the south-southwest, on steep to very steep slopes. The soil is quartz porphyry – volcanic primary rock, crystalline-mineral, with a slightly acidic pH value and an almost natural self-limitation in yields. It is precisely this microstress that produces the terroir's own polyphenols, which give Terlano wines their characteristic saltiness and tension. No other soil, no other result. Hand-picked, gentle whole-cluster pressing, slow fermentation – then 7 to 8 months on the fine lees, 80 per cent in steel, 20 per cent in large wooden barrels. This silent wood component only serves the texture, it gives the wine substance without masking its origin.

The Pratzner family keeps a few hundred bottles of each good vintage, which are then matured in the cellar for a further 6 years. These refined wines are then sold in small quantities as "Private Reserves" to selected retailers and restaurants, demonstrating the impressive ageing potential of their wines, which are matured for 10 months on the fine lees. Medium-bodied light yellow colour. Complex nose of pome fruit and lychee, the further 6 years of bottle ageing have given the wine a wonderful fullness and depth. We are delighted with the freshness and vigour that this Riserva radiates today. The final has an animating minerality with a pleasant smoky component. SUPERIORE.DE

Surmont is the successor to Rain Riesling. As in the past, some of the grapes come from the South Tyrolean lowlands, while the other part now comes from the Isarco Valley from high and cool locations on soils of volcanic origin, which give the wine a fresher, almost alpine style. Bright, straw-yellow colour with a slight greenish tinge. Clean, distinct, fragrant varietal aroma with fine fruity notes (peach, pear). Balanced, medium-bodied. Fresh, juicy finish. The racy acidity is harmoniously integrated into the fruit structure. A wonderful Riesling italico in small quantities. SUPERIORE.DE

Pinzon. A location that has long been considered by connoisseurs to be synonymous with South Tyrolean Pinot Noir of the highest calibre. The small wine village on the eastern side of the Adige Valley, first mentioned in a document in 1230, lies in the middle of the vineyards along the Pinot Noir Trail, which are among the best Pinot Noir terroirs in Italy. Here, at an altitude of around 550 metres in the municipality of Montan, Peter Zemmer cultivates his vines on porphyry soils with dolomite-carbonate rock deposits – a geological combination that gives the wine its characteristic minerality. The microclimate of the site is characterised by the altitude above the Adige valley and the north-western exposure, which gives the vineyards long periods of evening sunshine. The "Ora", the famous valley wind that rises from Lake Garda through the Adige Valley, ventilates the vines in the afternoon hours and regulates the humidity – ideal conditions for the demanding Burgundy variety.

Sauvignon Blanc Praesulis unfolds in the glass with hints of spicy herbs and lemon peel, accompanied by gooseberries, grapefruit and elderberries. Soothingly smooth and with a pleasant inner sweetness, it blends candied lemon with sour melon and lively acidity to create a bold but juicy style on the palate. It finishes with vibrant tension and decent length, leaving behind concentrated citrus and pretty inner flowers. Wonderfully elegant and balanced. SUPERIORE.DE

While Lagrein traditionally dominates rosé production in South Tyrol, Franz Haas goes his own way. As a Pinot Nero specialist who has vinified and meticulously documented 592 different Pinot Nero versions in over three decades, he devotes the same attention to his rosé. The vines for this wine grow on Guyot vines at extreme altitudes of between 700 and 750 metres – significantly higher than usual for rosé. Grapes of exceptional quality ripen on dolomite weathered rock, with a high planting density and selected clones. Only 5,000 bottles are produced annually. Vinification consistently follows the white wine method: after destemming, the grapes are pressed directly, without maceration. The must ferments at a controlled temperature in stainless steel, undergoes malolactic fermentation and matures for several months before being bottled. This purist approach preserves the freshness and elegance that can be expected from Pinot Nero at altitude.

Sparkling yellow-green colour. The elegant, floral-scented Sauvignon Bianco Mantele is irresistible, with beautiful varietal typicity and a pleasingly slender waistline. Fine mineral notes on the palate add playfulness and vibrancy, overall very juicy and fresh. SUPERIORE.DE

The grapes for this elegant Metodo Classico come from loose limestone soils with a clay content from the Überetsch and Unterland regions. The three grape varieties are vinified separately, gently pressed and fermented at a controlled temperature of 14°-16°C. The wine is matured in stainless steel on the lees of the first fermentation until spring. The wine is matured in stainless steel on the lees from the first fermentation until spring. Bright straw yellow in colour, fine and persistent perlage, fruity aroma with a subtle hint of yeast and flint. Fresh, dry and very persistent on the palate, with a pleasant aftertaste of dried fruit and a saline touch. SUPERIORE.DE

The grapes for this elegant Metodo Classico come from loose limestone soils with a clay content from the Überetsch and Unterland regions. The three grape varieties are vinified separately, gently pressed and fermented at a controlled temperature of 14°-16°C. The wine is matured in stainless steel on the lees of the first fermentation until spring. The wine is matured in stainless steel on the lees from the first fermentation until spring. Bright straw yellow in colour, fine and persistent perlage, fruity aroma with a subtle hint of yeast and flint. Fresh, dry and very persistent on the palate, with a pleasant aftertaste of dried fruit and a saline touch. SUPERIORE.DE

"Giatl" means "small plot of land" in the local dialect – and this name carries history. The ten-hectare single vineyard in the Kurtinig valley floor is one of the most exceptional terroirs for Pinot Grigio in the South Tyrolean lowlands. On sandy alluvial soils with calcareous gravel, vines grafted onto low-growing rootstock using the Guyot system thrive here under ideal conditions. The special microclimate of this sun trap is characterised by two contrasting wind systems: The warm "Ora" blows northwards from Lake Garda in the afternoon and moderates the heat of the day, while cool downslope winds from the Dolomites provide cooling at night. These extreme temperature fluctuations enable long, slow ripening phases with perfect acidity retention and flavour concentration. After manual harvesting and destemming, a short cold maceration is carried out to emphasise the fruitiness. The gently pressed grapes are clarified by natural sedimentation before alcoholic fermentation takes place in small and large French oak barrels (12 months) and in stainless steel tanks (6 months). The ageing on the lees gives the wine valuable complexity and depth, while further months of bottle ageing round off the profile.

Impressively structured Chardonnay from the Kreuth estate. The western vineyard produces a very elegant wine that impresses with its fine acidity, creamy structure and elegant interplay of flavours. Bright, radiant straw yellow in colour. Complex and balanced, with an abundance of tropical fruit, underlined by a sensual salty minerality. Long and persistent. SUPERIORE.DE

A grape variety like a secret: Rosenmuskateller migrated from Sicily to the Alps in the middle of the 19th century and found its second home on the alluvial soils of the Anreiterhof farm in Moritzing near Bolzano. Today it is one of the rarest grape varieties in South Tyrol – and the Rosis from the Bolzano winery is one of its finest interpreters. After harvest, the select grapes are subjected to natural air-drying, which concentrates their flavours and intensifies their sweetness. Temperature-controlled fermentation in stainless steel and patient bottle ageing preserve the delicate fullness of flavour.

The grapes for this exceptional dessert wine are harvested at the end of November at the earliest, when the night temperatures fall below zero degrees and a late harvest of the noble rotten fruit is possible in correspondingly high quality. Straw yellow in colour with golden reflections. Opulent bouquet of peach, melon, redcurrant and tropical fruit with the elegance that comes from the noble rot of the very late harvested grapes. The flavour is fresh, full-bodied, highly aromatic and with a well-balanced sweetness. An excellent meditation wine or also ideal with spicy blue cheese, foie gras terrine or dry desserts. SUPERIORE.DE

The porphyry-rich steep slopes on the Ritten above Bolzano offer first-class conditions for producing a Sauvignon Bianco with unique fruit, minerality, elegance and depth. Straw yellow in colour with greenish reflections. Precise fruity flavours of gooseberry, elderflower, herbs, yeast and a fine woody note. Harmonious flavour with very well-integrated acidity, an accentuated body and an elegant mineral note. Long and deep on the finish. SUPERIORE.DE

Furggl is a field name that burns itself into the memory. In the municipality of Auer, in the heart of the South Tyrolean lowlands, this single vineyard is situated on alluvial soils of limestone and porphyry gravel, interspersed with sand and clay. A terroir that offers the late-ripening Lagrein exactly what it needs: Warmth, depth and the soil moisture that ensures an even supply even in dry years. The vines, grafted onto low-growing rootstock and trained using the Guyot system, produce concentrated yields of just 45 hectolitres per hectare. After manual harvesting at the beginning of October, the destemmed grapes undergo a one-day cold maceration before fermentation at 28–30 °C for ten days. Regular pumping over and gentle submersion keep the must in contact with the skins – this allows colour and fruit flavours to migrate into the heart of the wine. After two gentle racking, the long maturation process begins: 12 months in French barriques, followed by 6 months in stainless steel, then a further 6 months in the bottle. Only after 24 months of total maturation does this wine reach the customer – ready to drink, but with potential for a decade or more.

The steep porphyry slopes at an altitude of up to 650 metres on the Ritten above Bolzano offer ideal conditions for vinifying this powerful yet elegant Chardonnay with outstanding balance, well-integrated acidity and excellent ageing potential. Straw yellow in colour with greenish inclusions. Pure exotic flavours of pineapple, mango and white peach on the nose, underpinned by a delicate vanilla note. Powerful on the palate, the well-integrated acidity keeps it fresh and mineral despite its power and complexity, right through to an almost infinitely long finish. A great Chardonnay from South Tyrol! SUPERIORE.DE

Fine traditional brut from the Lunelli family, who work tirelessly on the authenticity of their Trentino classics. A wide range of aromas and an elegant flavour with a good structure offer first-class enjoyment on many occasions. On the nose, crisp green apple, tangy lemon and a hint of toasted brioche. On the palate, citrus fruits harmonise with white peaches with a subtle hint of minerality. The bubbles are fine and persistent, the finish refreshing and clean. SUPERIORE.DE

Punggl is a word from the dialect of the South Tyrolean lowlands that refers to a small hill. But this inconspicuous name stands for one of the region's most renowned vineyards: at the foot of the Fennberg, south of Margreid, rises the eponymous hill with its precious alluvial soils of fine sand, silt and clay deposits. Here, where the Mediterranean climate of the warm valley floor meets the thermals of the Alps, the Merlot finds ideal conditions for a ripeness that combines vigour and finesse. From April to October, constant air currents characterise the microclimate of the site. The warm afternoon wind that rises from Lake Garda through the Adige Valley and the cool morning breeze from the north create an interplay that allows the grapes to ripen slowly and evenly. The vines, grafted onto low-growing rootstock and trained using the Guyot system, are tended with the utmost care.

Perfection is created when grape variety, terroir and microclimate form a perfect symbiosis. Thalman embodies this philosophy to perfection. This exceptional Pinot Nero comes from carefully selected vineyards on the Ritten and in Leitach between 500 and 750 metres above sea level, where warm, well-ventilated hills and volcanic porphyry soils create ideal conditions. The centuries-old Burgundy tradition finds its South Tyrolean interpretation here through a vinification process that combines respect for the grape variety with state-of-the-art cellar technology.

Pale pink with orange reflections. Elegant, fine aroma of flowers and roses, small red berries and herbs and the typical bread and yeast flavour. Very supple on the palate, fresh and forward, the acidity is agile and the mousse is soft and fine. A mouthful of red berries and a very broad range of herb and spice flavours are wonderfully enveloped by a fresh acidity that finishes this very long wine with a fruity, tart and salty note. SUPERIORE.DE