Abendrot - Weingut Thomas Niedermayr

A glass of Abendrot - Weingut Thomas Niedermayr sparkles in dense, luminous orange with copper reflections. The color is reminiscent of the sky shortly after sunset over the slopes of Eppan in Trentino Alto Adige. As soon as it is poured, an intense aroma of orange peel and dried apricot rises from the glass, joined by notes of sweet plum and candied citrus fruit.

On the nose, the wine shows the typical strength of character of an orange wine made from Souvignier Gris. Aromas of almond and light nuts meet subtle hints of blossom honey, orange zest and ripe pear. In the background, spicy tones of dried herbs, a touch of white pepper and a hint of tea resonate. Delicate nuances of dried chamomile and candied orange peel give the bouquet depth and elegance.

On the palate, Abendrot - Weingut Thomas Niedermayr starts off with lively tension. The texture appears crisp, dense and yet smooth. The tannin structure is slightly reminiscent of a red wine, but remains fine-grained and precise. The orange wine color points to an extended maceration time, which gives the wine structure, grip and remarkable bite. The acidity remains clear and present, carrying the fruity and spicy notes far into the finish.

On the palate, juicy plum dominates, accompanied by blood orange and candied lemon peel. This is joined by aromas of dried apple, quince and a little apricot. The almond note on the nose transforms on the palate into hints of roasted nuts and subtle caramel. A fine mineral streak from the limestone and clay soils lends the wine freshness and inner tension. The style remains clearly dry, very straightforward and shaped by the terroir-driven signature of Trentino Alto Adige.

Here Souvignier Gris shows its full potential as a characterful grape for orange wine. This fungus-resistant variety brings intense aromatics, stable acidity and ripe structure. In the interpretation of Weingut Thomas Niedermayr, this results in a wine with great depth but without heaviness. The body appears medium in weight, with a very long finish, showing notes of orange zest, herbs and delicate tannin.

The vineyards around Eppan in Trentino Alto Adige benefit from alpine freshness and many hours of sunshine. During the day, the warm climate ensures fully ripe grapes, while at night the downdrafts from the mountains bring cool air. On limestone and clay soils, grapes with intense aromatics and distinctive structure develop. This natural contrast is reflected in the wine as tension and elegance.

For a quick overview, here are the defining impressions:

• Radiant orange with copper reflections
• Scents of orange peel, plum, almond and herbs
• Crisp texture with precise tannins
• Dry, powerful yet elegant and refined
• Long finish with citrus, tea and nut aromas

For connoisseurs of orange wines, Abendrot - Weingut Thomas Niedermayr opens up an exciting journey through layers of aroma. Those who want to explore the wine step by step can follow this sequence of enjoyment:

1. Allow the aroma to unfold with some air in the glass
2. Use the first small sips to explore the tannin structure
3. Pay attention to the interplay between citrus, stone fruit and herbs
4. With the second glass, look for the nutty and spicy notes
5. Finally, explore the long finish and the mineral vein

In this way, this IGT orange wine from Italy presents itself as a perfect ambassador of the “Old World” style. It tells of traditional manual work, terroir and the joy of nature-based vinification, certified vegan and bearing the organic seal IT‑BIO‑013.

Production of Abendrot from Weingut Thomas Niedermayr

The grapes for Abendrot come from vineyards around Eppan in Trentino Alto Adige, where the Alps meet Mediterranean influences. Calcareous soils with portions of clay give the roots support and endow the wine with its distinctive minerality. The Souvignier Gris vines grow at airy elevations, where cool nights allow slow, aroma-intensive ripening.

Souvignier Gris presents itself as a robust, aromatic variety. In this interpretation, the grape brings concentrated fruit, firm acidity and a stable skin. This firm skin plays a key role in orange wine, as the must remains in contact with the grape skins for longer. This allows color, tannin and many aroma precursors to migrate into the wine.

Weingut Thomas Niedermayr relies on selective harvesting, often by hand, to bring only fully ripe, flawless grapes into the cellar. Harvesting tends to take place later in the season to achieve fullness, aromatic depth and structure. Already in the vineyard, great attention is paid to selection, so that the wine can develop calmly in the cellar.

In the cellar, the berries are gently transferred to the press. Before pressing, orange wine undergoes a maceration phase. The grapes remain in contact with the must together with their skins and in part also with small portions of stems. This maceration time gives the wine its orange color, fine tannin and typical structure.

Fermentation usually takes place spontaneously or with minimal intervention, often in stainless-steel tanks or neutral wood. A cool fermentation temperature preserves the freshness of the citrus notes, while the maceration phase highlights the nutty and tea-like nuances. After fermentation, the wine remains on the fine lees. Regular stirring of the lees, the so-called bâtonnage, adds creaminess and depth without masking the crisp style.

Depending on the vintage, Abendrot then matures for several months in tank or large wooden casks. This maturation rounds off the tannins, integrates the acidity and shapes the long finish. The estate’s style values clear origin, closeness to nature and an unadulterated picture of the vintage. Filtration and fining are therefore carried out gently, so that the multi-layered character of Souvignier Gris appears in the glass.

Serving recommendations for Abendrot from Weingut Thomas Niedermayr

Abendrot proves to be an ideal wine for curious enthusiasts who want to discover or deepen their experience with orange wine. As an aperitif, it pairs well with intensely flavored small dishes such as pickled vegetables, antipasti with grilled zucchini, peppers and eggplant, or bruschetta with tomato and herbs. The bitter orange peel and fine tannin play around spicy and lightly roasted notes.

With starters, the wine harmonizes beautifully with fennel salad, burrata with orange segments or carpaccio of beetroot. The crisp structure cuts through creamy textures, while citrus and plum lend tension to the dish. Slightly matured goat’s cheese or semi-hard mountain cheese from Trentino Alto Adige also pair very well.

At the table, Abendrot shines alongside dishes with spice and roasted aromas. Ideal matches include:

• Risotto with pumpkin, sage and toasted seeds
• Pasta with sage butter, nut crumbs and hard cheese
• Roasted poultry with orange jus and root vegetables
• Marinated oven-roasted vegetables with rosemary and thyme
• Curry dishes with mild heat and coconut milk

Vegetarian cuisine benefits from the wine’s structure. Lentils with root vegetables, baked celeriac or crispy cauliflower gain an exciting counterpart from the citrus and tea nuances of the orange wine. Dishes with oriental spices such as cumin, coriander and turmeric also harmonize impressively.

The ideal serving temperature is 11 to 13 degrees Celsius. Straight from the fridge, the wine is too cold and shows less depth. It is better to keep the bottle slightly outside the refrigerator before serving. A brief decanting or aeration in the glass opens up the nutty and herbal nuances. White wine glasses with a larger bowl or Burgundy-style universal glasses showcase the wine perfectly.

As a wine for special moments, Abendrot accompanies a multi-course menu just as well as a long evening with friends. It also makes an inspiring gift for explorers of the wine world. Its cellaring potential is around five years from the vintage, during which time the wine develops additional notes of dried fruit, tea and nuts. Thus, each bottle becomes a distinctive experience, shaped by Trentino Alto Adige, Souvignier Gris and the signature of Weingut Thomas Niedermayr.

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