Pacher Hof Sudtirol Brixner Eisacktaler Pinot Grigio 2011
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Originally there were only three farms in the surrounding of Neustift, one of which was the Pacherhof. The farm is referenced in documents dating to long before Bishop Hartmann founded the Neustift Abbey in 1142. The Pacherhof family bore the surname of Pacher until 1849 when one of Andreas Pacher’s four daughters, Maria, married the winemaker Josef Huber, who brought both his name and the art of viniculture to the Pacherhof farm.
Josef Huber and farmer Johann Huber from Elvas were the wine pioneers of the Eisack valley. After many journeys of discovery which took them as far as the Netherlands, they experimented with numerous varieties of grapes and concluded that Sylvaner, Pinot Gris and Gewürztraminer grapes were ideal for the soil and steep slopes of these lands. Josef Huber also planted the first Kerner grapes in the Eisack Valley. Although they went largely unnoticed at first, these grape varietals went on to become the choice of many and are now the flagships of the wine-growing industry in the Eisack valley. Click here for more information on Pacher-Hof’s vineyard in Neustift.
Today, the Pacherhof wine-growing estate is managed by Andreas Huber, great-grandson of Josef Huber. Andreas cultivates eight varieties of white grape on the 8 hectares of vineyard in the Eisack Valley, presses them in the hotel’s own wine cellar and markets them himself. His dry wines are greatly appreciated for their gentle fruitiness and purity, and find a ready market in South Tyrol, Italy, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, Denmark and the USA.
Showing a unique rosy, purplish hue upon full ripeness, this “white” variety is actually born out of a mutation of Pinot Noir. The grape boasts two versions of its name, as well as two generally distinct styles. In Italy, Pinot Grigio achieves most success in the mountainous regions of Trentino and Alto Adige as well as in the neighboring Friuli—all in Italy’s northeast. France's Alsace and Oregon's Willamette Valley produce some of the world's most well-regarded Pinot Gris wine. California produces both styles with success.
Where Does Pinot Gris / Pinot Grigio Come From?
Pinot Gris is originally from France, and it is technically not a variety but a clone of Pinot Noir. In Italy it’s called Pinot Grigio (Italian for gray), and it is widely planted in northern and NE Italy. Pinot Gris is also grown around the globe, most notably in Oregon, California, and New Zealand. No matter where it’s made or what it’s called, Pinot Gris/Pinot Grigio produces many exciting styles.
Tasting Notes for Pinot Grigio
Pinot Grigio is a dry, white wine naturally low in acidity. Pinot Grigio wines showcase signature flavors and aromas of stone fruit, citrus, honeysuckle, pear and almond. Alsatian styles are refreshing, expressive, aromatic (think rose and honey), smooth, full-bodied and richly textured and sometimes relatively higher in alcohol compared to their Italian counterpart. As Pinot Grigio in Italy, the style is often light and charming. The focus here is usually to produce a crisp, refreshing, lighter style of wine. While there are regional differences of Pinot Grigio, the typical profile includes lemon, lime and subtle minerality.
Pinot Grigio Food Pairings
The viscosity of a typical Alsatian Pinot Gris allows it to fit in harmoniously with the region's rich foods like pork, charcuterie and foie gras. Pinot Grigio, on the other hand, with its citrusy freshness, works well as an aperitif wine or with seafood and subtle chicken dishes.
Sommelier Secrets
Given the pinkish color of its berries and aromatic potential if cared for to fully ripen, the Pinot Grigio variety is actually one that is commonly used to make "orange wines." An orange wine is a white wine made in the red wine method, i.e. with fermentation on its skins. This process leads to a wine with more ephemeral aromas, complexity on the palate and a pleasant, light orange hue.
Wine by Region › Italy › Trentino-Alto Adige › Alto Adige
Taking full advantage of direct sunlight exposure on its steep slopes, many of Alto Adige’s best vineyards are planted at extreme altitude... read more