Vintage:

2020

2020-C Erste + Neue ‘White Peak’ Bianco, Vigneti delle Dolomiti IGT, Italy (750ml)   

About the Icons
A Monthly Wine Club Selection
The Alto Adige (or Süd Tyrol, as it's called by the German-speaking inhabitants) is known for large, high-quality co-operative wineries. Erste + Neue means 'First + New’. The name represents the merger of the first (‘erste') co-op cellar in Caldaro, which was founded in 1900, and the newest ('neue') co-op cellar founded in 1925 a—ter Alto Adige became a part of Italy following World War I. The two co-ops united under one label in 1986. In 2016 Erste + Neue incorporated a third co-op, Cantina Kaltern, but continues to operate under the name Erste + Neue.

 

Today, E+N makes a range of white wines including Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio and Müller Thurgau, and three excellent reds: Schiava, Pinot Nero and a Lagrein, that we featured as a selection in our Wine Club last month. The White Peak is a blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Bianco, and Chardonnay, each fermented individually, then blended together for a bright, racy and refreshing Italian white wine. Gerhard Sanin, the enologist for E+N, favors a bright, restrained winemaking style that really allows the individual varietals to shine in harmony with one another.

 

Each lot underwent whole-cluster pressing, natural must clarification and fermentation at of 60 °F, with 4 months aging on the fine lees in stainless-steel tanks before being blended. The result is a well-balanced, fresh white wine that is both approachable and elegant.

 

Light yellow hue. Complex aromatics of gooseberries mingled with vegetal notes. The palate shows layers of green apple skin, pear, apricot pit and pineapple core. The finish is subtle with a nice minerality and charming herbal note.

Vintage:

2020