Ciao Tutti!
Now that the Vernal Equinox has passed, I can’t think of a better way to celebrate the beginning of fall than with one of my fave light to medium reds, the Bozner Leiten (hills of Bolzano) Sudtirol Alto- Adige DOC, ($21.25, ABV 12.5%), the signature red wine from the PutzenHof winery, near Bolzano, the capital of Italy’s most northern region, the Trentino-Alto Adige.
The Alto Adige River divides the region between the Sud Tirol-Alto Adige in the north from the Trentino region in the south. Prior to 1919, Alto Adige was part of the Austrian-Hungarian Empire with its German speaking population, architecture of steep roofed chalets and onion dome churches. Trentino, which borders Lombardia and the Veneto, is firmly Italian. The landscape is one of extremes-from the Alpine peaks to green valleys with tranquil lakes.
The region’s winemaking technology ranks among the best of Italy’s twenty regions. Its Institute of San Michele all’ Adige is not only one of Europe’s most important research institutions but also is considered to be one of Italy’s best oenological schools. It’s not surprising, since grape vines have been growing here since 2000 BC (!) with the monasteries becoming winemakers during the medieval period.
The winery is managed by a member of the third generation of the family, Roman Mottironi, whose grandmother bought the estate in the early 1950’s. The first wine production was in 2009 from the estate’s 4 hectares of vines. The mountain air, SW exposure, sandy soil and the estate’s microclimate nutures their three white and three red wines that are fresh, minerally and flavorful.
Bozner Leiten is a harmonious blend of 85% Schiava and 15% Lagrein, both indigenous grapes of the Alto Adige. I like this wine for its fruity and intense aroma, bursting with bright red berries, hints of violet and herbs, with a smooth finish-try it slightly chilled.
Pair with Piazza’s antipasti, speck, cured meats (Piazza’s smoked capocollo would be a match made in heaven), pasta with ragu sauce, roasted pork or chicken.
In addition to great wines, PutzenHof is also an Agriturismo-one of my travel goals is to visit Bolzano in the fall to hike and to stay in one of their six rooms.
If you have not yet tasted this great wine for fall, come join me Friday from noon to 5:45 or Sat. from noon to 4:45.
Cin Cin!
Jenn
PS-After a long hiatus, Baiocco is back, along with a popular Rosato, the Primitivo Rosato from the Masseria Borgo Dei Trulli-neither of them will last long since we only received two cases of each!
Piazza Italian Market is located in the Talbot Town Shopping Center at 218 N. Washington St., suite 23, in Easton, MD
