Kurtatsch - Schiava, Sonntaler, Alto Adige, Italy (2022)

TASTING NOTES

Sour cherry, ripe raspberry, red liquorice and a hint of red pepper. A light and refreshing palate, with the added complexity of salinity and blueberry. The tannins are mild, but the acid is what provides balance and elegance, while not overpowering the smooth character.

Schiava, aka Vernatsch, aka Trollinger, is a variety that was likely originally cultivated in South Tyrol and Trentino. Records show that the grape has been growing in the Trentino-Alto Adige region since at least the 13th century. Although Schiava is grown throughout many German and Italian wine regions, the styles coming from Südtirol tend to be light in colour, brimming with fresh red fruit characteristics, and are most often dry, medium-light bodied and with naturally high levels of acidity.

Organically farmed, Schiava grows in the oldest vineyards (the oldest planted in 1933) at 300-400 masl. These old vines produce naturally low and therefore very high-quality yields. The wine is a blend of various types of Schiava with the largest share being Schiava Grigia.

Hand-harvested from extremely steep vineyards. Fermentation is low and slow in temperature-controlled stainless steel, with daily pump-overs and punch-downs. The wine undergoes malolactic fermentation in large Slavonian oak barrels, where it ages until release.

Kurtatsch is a 120+year cooperative totally focused on their health and well-being of the land and the 190 family members that work together to producer excellent value wines.