Country: Italy  Region: Trentino-Alto Adige  Vintage: 2015

Category: White Wine  Color:  White

Producer: Franz Haas

"The Haas family has been growing grapes in Montagna in the province of Bolzano for generations. However, it is only with Franz, the current proprietor, that they have begun to produce and bottle quality wines. Franz studied at Geisenheim in Germany before working as a broker of Italian wines in the German market. After several years, he took over the running of the family business.

Franz Haas goes to tremendous lengths to grow good grapes and then strives to preserve the flavours of the fruit during winemaking. As a result, the wines that he produces are infused with great character and show a rare purity and balance on the palate.

His Pinot Nero is one of Italy's best. It is light in colour yet intensely varietal on both the nose and palate, with a lovely tannin structure. Of his whites, the Pinot Grigio is very classy - the real thing - while the 'Lepus' (made solely from Pinot Bianco) is excellent. His flagship wine is 'Manna', a blend of 50% Riesling, 20% Traminer, 20% barrel fermented Chardonnay and 10% barrel fermented Sauvignon Blanc. The aromatic quality of the Riesling and Traminer come through in the glass, but they are given depth and texture by the subtle use of oak on the Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. It is one of Italy's best white wines."

Product Features: Sustainable;Vegan;Vegetarian

Winemaker: Franz Haas

Vineyards:

The grapes for this wine were grown in hillside vineyards on the mid-slopes around the village of Montagna. The soil is very rich and deep, with a high content of silt and clay due to the erosion of the mountain slopes above. Yields are 70 hectolitres per hectare. 2010 was the first year that fruit was included from their higher altitude vineyards (750-900 metres above sea level). These vineyards, which were 'experimental' when Franz first planted them, because of a law prohibiting plantings at such an altitude, are now legal since the law changed in 2010. Franz feels that the lower yields and longer growing season at such altitudes gives wines of greater complexity and intensity.

Vinification:

Fermentation took place in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks, followed by large oak casks, with no skin contact. The wine was left for a prolonged period on its lees to acquire fuller body and complexity. Maturation took place in stainless steel tanks followed by three to four months bottle ageing.

Tasting Notes:

Pale straw-yellow in colour, with a fragrant floral bouquet with notes of sage, hay, almonds and sandalwood. After some time in the bottle, notes of honey develop. On the palate this wine is fresh and medium-bodied with great finesse and elegance.

Food Suggestion: Drink with richly sauced poultry or try a monkfish recipe prepared with some cured meat like Parma ham.

Closure: Stelvin  ABV:13%  Acidity [g/l]: 5.5