Cantina Bolzano Sauvignon 'Mock' 2023

Cantina Bolzano or Kellerei Bozen is the quality cooperative of the city of the same name in South Tyrol and is a merger of two previous cooperatives: that of Gries from 1908 (particularly famous for their wines from the Lagrein grape on clay soils along the Eisack River (Isarco) ) and that of St. Magdalena, anno 1930 (with the specialty of vernatsch wine (also called schiava)). They make a wide range of typical regional wines, from 'village' style to cuvées from a specific terroir. Most wines from the Kellerei are consumed regionally, which can be considered a great compliment to the quality delivered.

Alto Adige (or South Tyrol) is a predominantly German-speaking area that was occupied until the end of WWII. I still belonged to Austria (the Habsburg Empire). If you cross the Brenner Pass and descend into Italy, you will quickly end up in this area. Located at the foot of the Dolomites, it owes its name to the Adige (Etsch) river. The vineyards here are mainly located on relatively high slopes, which are often so steep that it is necessary to build terraces. Alto Adige is a relatively warm area, especially in summer it can be very hot during the day. Due to its location near the Alps, the nights are relatively cool and this ensures slower ripening in the vineyards, pleasant acidity and better aroma retention. Alto Adige produces relatively many DOP wines compared to other regions. The focus here is more on the rest of Europe than elsewhere in Italy; the culture here can be called Central European rather than Mediterranean. This is also evident from the fact that considerably more international grapes such as Pinot Blanc, Pinot Nero and Sauvignon are grown here than in other Italian wine regions.