Winemaker Notes
A particular specialty of the Valle Isarco. Greenish to bright yellow in color. Peaches, apricots, and tones of tangerines on the nose. Very lively, juicy, and sleek on the palate, with a mineral-rich finish.
Professional Ratings
-
James Suckling
In spite of the generous ripeness and excellent concentration on the mid-palate, this remains very sleek and racy with quite daring mineral acidity at the long, crisp finish. With a little aeration, fresh pineapple and Amalfi-lemon notes develop.
-
Wine & Spirits
Floral scents lead into flavors of soft peach, mandarin orange and subtle spice in this fresh and easy-drinking white. Tangy and juicy, it works well as an aperitif or with poultry. Best buy
-
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Made only in stainless steel, the 2021 Alto Adige Valle Isarco Kerner shows hints of mature fruit with lemon zest, soft kiwi and beeswax. The wine remains true to the variety with fresh fruit and minty lemon that will evolve in time. However, this edition doesn't quite have the same pop or crunch that we saw in previous editions. Production is 16,500 bottles, and fruit comes from the Conca di Bressanone area with high-elevation vines at 650 to 800 meters above sea level.
A cool-climate variety suited to the highlands of Italy’s Alto Adige, where most of it is now grown, Kerner also thrives in the German regions of Pfalz and Rheinhessen, as well as Austria and Slovenia. Kerner can show a variety of floral notes, as well as green apple, apricot, tangerine, tropical fruit and fresh herb.
A mountainous northern Italian region heavily influenced by German culture, Trentino-Alto Adige is actually made up of two separate but similar regions: Alto Adige and Trentino.
Trentino, the southern half, is primarily Italian-speaking and largely responsible for the production of non-native, international grapes. There is a significant quantity of Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio and Merlot produced. But Trentino's native and most unique red variety, Teroldego, while still rare, is gaining popularity. It produces a deeply colored red wine rich in wild blackberry, herb, coffee and cocoa.
The rugged terrain of German-speaking Alto Adige (also referred to as Südtirol) focuses on small-scale viticulture, with great value placed on local varieties—though international varieties have been widely planted since the 1800s. Sheltered by the Alps from harsh northerly winds, many of the best vineyards are at extreme altitude but on steep slopes to increase sunlight exposure.
Dominant red varieties include the bold, herbaceous Lagrein and delicate, strawberry-kissed, Schiava, in addition to some Pinot Nero.
The primary white grapes are Pinot grigio, Gewürztraminer, Chardonnay and Pinot blanc, as well as smaller plantings of Sauvignon blanc, Müller Thurgau. These tend to be bright and refreshing with crisp acidity and just the right amount of texture. Some of the highest quality Pinot grigio in Italy is made here.