Alto Adige – Wines Of Elena Walch

The final tasting of Year 33 in the Harrogate Medical wine Society will feature the celebrated Alto Adige wines of Elena Walch

Alto Adige/Südtirol is a German-speaking Alpine region located in the north-eastern part of Italy, bordering Austria and Switzerland. Most of the territory is covered by mountains, with only 14% of land sitting below 1,000 metres above sea level.

Alto Adige/Südtirol produces high-quality white wines from Pinot Grigio, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Bianco, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. The most important red wines include Schiava, Pinot Noir and Lagrein. Though the region produces only 1.2% of Italy’s wine, most of it (98%) is high-quality and made to DOC standards.

Vines are planted along the river valleys, which join together to resemble the letter “Y”. Val Venosta valley is the north-west arm, Val Isarco valley is the north-east arm, and the wider valley around the river Adige provides the main branch to the south. The vineyards are planted on the valley floors as well as the mountain slopes, some sitting above 1,000 metres. Alto Adige/Südtirol boasts an incredible variety of grape-growing conditions, with varying meso-climates and various soils that include volcanic red porphyry, limestone and dolomite rock.

Elena Walch

A successful architect, Elena Walch married into one of the oldest winemaking families in the Alto Adige in the 1980s and her first vintage under her own name was in 1988, when she became the mountain region’s first female winemaker. She went on to win acclaim around the world, with daughters Julia and Karoline now working alongside her. The pioneering winemaker owns some of the best vineyards in Italy, including two monopoles: Castel Ringberg in Caldaro and Kastelaz in Tramin. These are officially recognised with the prestigious geographical denomination ‘Vigna’.

The Wines

Hunter’s Miru Miru Rosé NV Brut will be served on arrival

1. Sauvignon, Alto Adige, 2022

Guavas, lime zest, green beans and Granny Smith apples on the nose. Crunchy and crisp, with a medium body and vibrant layers of green fruit, with slate undertones. Drink now.
(91 points, James Suckling)

2. Pinot Grigio Vigna “Castel Ringberg” Alto Adige DOC, 2021

A complex variety of fruit, especially ripe pears and lime blossom, as well as spicy sage notes fill the nose. Structure and elegance, power and harmony dominate the palate, combined with creamy fullness and density. A single vineyard Pinot Grigio with a lot of character!

3. Riesling Vigna “Castel Ringberg” Alto Adige DOC, 2021

Shows fruity aromas of peach, accompanied by subtle notes of white flowers, fresh spice with a hint of white pepper, and mineral typicity. On the palate, there is a stimulating freshness and racy acidity combined with a mineral structure, elegance and a fresh finish.

4. Lagrein, Alto Adige 2022

Intensive and dense garnet red colour. Complex bouquet with subtle spicy aromas, cocoa and wild berries with sweet cherries in the background. Distinctive tannin structure, smooth fullness, rustic elegance and youthful freshness as well as a long, juicy finish.

5. Pinot Nero, Alto Adige DOC, 2022

Red berry aromas – cherries and raspberries on the nose, alongside spicy notes with some white pepper. In the mouth, the wine shines with its juicy structure and freshness, with soft, velvety tannins, subtle spices and a youthful, elegant finish.

Côtes du Rhône Cuvée de la Millière 2020 will be poured with dinner. It is a blend of 50% Grenache, 50% Syrah from organically farmed vines of 10 to 40 years of age grown on sandy soils in the northwest part of the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation, vinified only by infusion and with minimal oak influence. Christian Agut, the head winemaker, is gradually moving away from traditional barrels in favour of other containers such as wine globe, concrete eggs and TAVA amphoras to enhance – rather than add – the innate flavours that Grenache and Syrah bring to the blend. The wine is matured for one year in concrete before bottling.

“The plots are in both Côtes du Rhône and Côtes du Rhône-Villages areas. Certified organic. 50% Grenache, 50% Syrah…Fairly refreshing and quite distinctive and 21st century… Lively. In view of the quality this is reasonably GV.” – Jancis Robinson MW

Date: 1 August 2024

Time: 6 for 6.30 pm

Venue: Masonic Hall, Harrogate

Presenter: Bernard Dias

Dinner Menu: TBA

Cost: £32.95 pp. Tasting only £20 pp

Reservations: accepted with a deposit of £10 pp