Wines from South Tyrol and Trentino

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.

The grapes for the Galea Vernatsch come from old vines that grow on gravel and porphyry soils. Bright ruby colour, vinous aromas and an appetisingly fresh scent of red cherries. Juicy and fruity on the palate, with velvety tannins, harmonious with fine minerality and good length. SUPERIORE.DE

The classic grape variety from the Loire finds its southern alpine perfection on the calcareous clay soils between 300 and 500 metres. These medium altitudes offer ideal conditions for Sauvignon Blanc: The alpine microclimate with cool nights and warm days preserves the typical varietal flavour and lively acidity. Pale straw yellow in colour with greenish reflections. The intense bouquet reveals the variety of aromas typical of the variety: elderflower harmonises with ripe gooseberries, tropical nuances of passion fruit and kiwi blend with subtle herbal notes. On the palate, the Sauvignon Blanc is gentle yet structured with perfectly balanced acidity. The six-month yeast ageing gives it a silky texture and additional depth and length. Appealing, very crisp final. SUPERIORE.DE

The Vogelmaierhof is enthroned high above Lake Kaltern, where cool downdraughts blow through the side valley and give the Goldmuskateller its characteristic freshness. This organically farmed plot of land between 300 and 400 metres above sea level is a secret favourite in the Lageder range. The dry vinification process brings out the aromatic grape variety's full typicality: some of the grapes are fermented as whole bunches, while the rest matures for six months on the fine lees in stainless steel.

The name Mediaevum refers to the Middle Ages, when minstrels such as Oswald von Wolkenstein sang about the wine from the Gump Hof – as a symbol of lightness and freshness. Markus Prackwieser's Vernatsch from the everyday Mediaevum line epitomises precisely this philosophy: uncomplicated wines that enrich life without any pretensions to great drama. The grapes grow on calcareous moraine soils over quartz porphyry in the southern Eisack Valley. After a short cold maceration, the wine ferments for a week in stainless steel tanks, followed by malolactic fermentation and six to eight months of ageing, two thirds in steel and one third in large wooden barrels.

The grapes for this single-varietal Pinot Bianco come from altitudes of up to 700 metres around the municipality of Montan. Delicate greenish-yellow in colour, with a fine bouquet of green apple, lemon, chalk and some crushed rock. Fine texture on the palate, with good structure and excellent depth. The spicy, fruity finish is characterised by precise, linear acidity and notes of pear and apple. Great and very balanced! SUPERIORE.DE

Count Otto Huyn (1927-1998) embodied the last splendour of the traditional South Tyrolean aristocracy – a nobleman from Eberstein in Carinthia, who owned his best vineyards in Siebeneich near Terlan, thus continuing a centuries-old winemaking tradition of the Tyrolean aristocracy. His privileged plots at an altitude of 250-300 metres, characterised by weathered porphyry soils of volcanic origin, were already considered the crown jewels of South Tyrolean viticulture during his lifetime. The Bolzano winery honours this heritage with its Collection Otto Graf Huyn, a selection that comes exclusively from the top vineyards of the historic estate, personally selected by the cellar master. The unique terroir of Siebeneich, where warm, sun-exposed slopes meet the nutrient-rich weathered soils of the Bolzano porphyry, creates ideal conditions for Bordeaux grape varieties. The cuvée of predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc benefits from the continental character of this location: warm days and cool nights give the grapes the concentration and finesse that characterise this Riserva.

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

A vintage South Tyrolean sparkling wine of elegant lightness. The Chardonnay grapes grow at an altitude of 450 metres around Buchholz in the South Tyrolean lowlands, where ideal sunshine and perfect aeration guarantee an excellent acid-sugar ratio. After pressing and destemming, fermentation takes place with pure yeasts at a controlled temperature of 19°C in stainless steel tanks. The second fermentation takes place according to the Metodo Charmat in pressurised tanks, where the wine matures on the lees for six to nine months at 14°C, developing aroma and body. After separation from the yeast and cooling, the wine is left to mature in the bottle for a further three months.

The "Collection" line is made from late-harvested grapes from selected, sun-drenched vineyards and stands for complex, straightforward wines that emphasise the terroir. The Comrades' vineyards are located in Siebeneich and Bolzano at 300 metres above sea level and offer ideal conditions for this wonderful Merlot to thrive. Dark ruby to garnet red in colour. Exuberant aromas of blackberry and wild berries, complemented by a refined spice component. On the palate, it is elegant, delicately fruity, almost polished. This Merlot is not at all plump like so many representatives of this grape variety - it is medium-bodied, finely accentuated and leads into a respectable finish with fine-pored tannins. SUPERIORE.DE

Dusty rose and lavender tones complement wild strawberries. On the palate, it is characterised by juicy textures and ripe wild berries, complemented by a hint of orange zest and noticeable mineral notes. The Meczan rejuvenates with a fresh, almost crisp finish. A South Tyrolean Pinot Noir could hardly be more harmonious. SUPERIORE.DE

The name ennobles: Baron Carl Josef Eyrl von und zu Waldgries und Liebenaich – is the full title of the patron, whose vineyards are located in the heart of the classic Lagrein growing area of Gries. The "Collection" line of the Bolzano winery stands for wines from selected vineyards that combine complexity with straightforwardness. After controlled fermentation in stainless steel, the wine matures for twelve months in large oak barrels – an ageing process that preserves the varietal character and gives the Lagrein a gentle polish.

From the heartland of Lagrein, the warm porphyry soils of Bolzano-Gries at 250 metres, comes this classic from the Bolzano winery. Formed in 2001 from the merger of the traditional Gries and St. Magdalena co-operatives, the Cantina is now one of the leading addresses for indigenous South Tyrolean grape varieties – not least thanks to the fine instinct of cellar master Stephan Filippi, who has been vinifying here for over three decades.

At the Ebnerhof farm in Atzwang, the Unterthiner family works on sandy marl at an altitude of 500 to 550 metres. The eastern slopes benefit from warm winds from the Bolzano valley basin, while cool downdraughts provide freshness at night – ideal conditions for a Pinot Blanc with substance. After temperature-controlled fermentation in stainless steel tanks, the wine matures on the fine lees, part of it in acacia wood barrels, which gives it additional depth.

On the south-facing slopes between 260 and 380 metres above the Adige Valley, South Tyrol's most aromatic white wine unfolds its full seductive power. The unique terroir of Andriano – reddish-loamy limestone soils interspersed with angular dolomite rock – gives Movado its characteristic mineral base. Here, where the continental climate meets Mediterranean influences, the reddish-grey berries of the famous Traminer grape ripen to aromatic perfection. Fermentation takes place at a controlled temperature in stainless steel, followed by six months of refinement on the fine lees, which gives Movado its characteristic texture and complexity.