Ah, the Alto Adige or as it's officially known, Trentino-Alto Adige/Sudtirol. A breathtaking landscape in the very far north of Italy bordering Austria and Switzerland. When you visit you're not sure if you're in Austria or Italy, and frankly the people welcome the uncertainty as they themselves speak both German and Italian with road signs in both languages and no real certainty if they want to be Italian or not. Essentially, taken from Austria under Mussolini in 1919 the Alto Adige has stayed with Italy despite its clear unspoken loyalty to Austrian ways. This wine is made by a highly regarded and very well known cooperative called St. Michael Eppan. Established in 1907 the cooperative was created because of land distribution in the Alto Adige. Lots of people with very little parcels. Today with 350 members and one chief winemaker St. Michael Eppan has been recognized by Gambero Rosso on numerous occasions for their excellent wines.
This is an Italian wine that we will present to you as Schiava Grigia - its Italian name. The front label is in German with the exception of the words Alto Adige, which is required by law now instead of the more popular German version of Sudtirol. The very easy to say Grauvernatsch is also present. That's Schiava Grigia in German. The Italian, of course, is all on the back label. That tells you how "Italian" the Tyrolians want to be. No matter, the wine is absolutely delicious with a delicious price to match.
The 2009 St. Michael Eppan Schiava Grigia has a nose of cherry jolly rancher candy with a hint of minerality - which it should have when we're talking about vineyards that are 1,200 feet above sea level. The palate is light to mid weight and shows apple and raspberry fruit with a nice tart and bright acidity. It's perfect for the change in weather. A delicious light weight red that can go with something as delicate as shellfish or as complex as braised rabbit.
Schiava Grigia 2009 $13 a bottle
