Brenntal Gewürztraminer Riserva DOC - Kellerei Kurtatsch

A luminous golden yellow shines in the glass and immediately reveals the full richness of the Brenntal Gewürztraminer Riserva DOC - Kellerei Kurtatsch. Dense streaks wander slowly along the rim of the glass, indicating power, maturity and an intense play of aromas. Already with the first swirl, a beguiling fragrance of exotic fruit and delicate blossoms rises up.

On the nose, an opulent bouquet appears, as is typical for Gewürztraminer from Alto Adige, though here with particular depth. Ripe pineapple stands out clearly, accompanied by juicy lychee, a touch of mango and a hint of candied orange. The varietal-typical rose blossom unfolds elegantly, flanked by white flowers, acacia and a touch of orange blossom. Fine spicy notes of cardamom, nutmeg and white pepper add tension to the picture, while subtle hints of honey and a touch of marzipan round off the aromatic density.

On the palate, the wine is vinified dry and at the same time seductively creamy. The velvety texture softly coats the tongue and carries the exotic fruit with great richness. Pineapple, lychee and ripe yellow peaches meet lightly candied lemon peel and a little grapefruit zest. The well-integrated acidity gives freshness and structure without ever dominating. A delicate impression of ginger, clove and a little saffron brings spice into play, while a fine, salty minerality from the sandy and loamy soils of Brenntal subtly shimmers through.

The body is powerful, dense and at the same time very well balanced. 15.0 percent alcohol by volume does not come across as heavy here but instead carries the aromas with impressive length. The finish is enormously persistent. Long after the last sip, notes of rose, dried apricot, pineapple, spicy tea and fine blossom honey still linger. The result is an almost meditative drinking experience that entices you to the next glass.

The origin clearly shapes this wine. Alto Adige, more precisely the South Tyrol DOC, offers ideal conditions for characterful Gewürztraminer with its hillside vineyards, cool nights and many hours of sunshine. The Brenntal site is one of the warmest zones of Kurtatsch. Here, heat-retaining loam and sand soils meet steep slopes and very good ventilation. During the day the grapes ripen intensively, while the coolness of the nights keeps the aromatic profile clear and precise. In this terroir, the Gewürztraminer variety shows its full class with lush aromatics, fine structure and a hint of minerality.

The typical aromas of this Gewürztraminer can be summarized well:

• Exotic fruits such as pineapple, lychee, mango and a touch of passion fruit
• Floral notes of rose, white flowers, acacia and orange blossom
• Spicy accents of nutmeg, cardamom, clove and white pepper
• Gentle hints of honey and marzipan with delicate herbal spice

The style is clearly “Old World”: despite opulent fruit, elegance is the real focus. The freshness and fine structure protect the wine from heaviness. The result is a Gewürztraminer with great expressiveness that delights both connoisseurs and curious enthusiasts, combining complex aromas with a clear line.

For which wine lover is this wine particularly suitable?

1. Explorers of aromatic white wines with depth and character
2. Lovers of Gewürztraminer who are looking for structure and length
3. Gourmets who enjoy pairing fine dishes with sophisticated wines
4. Collectors who appreciate characterful white wines from Alto Adige

The Brenntal Gewürztraminer Riserva DOC - Kellerei Kurtatsch already offers great drinking pleasure today, but will continue to develop over several years. The indicated storage potential of around five years from the vintage provides fine potential for additional depth, slightly matured notes and even more harmony on the palate.

Production of the Brenntal Gewürztraminer Riserva DOC from Kellerei Kurtatsch

The grapes for this wine come from selected parcels of the Brenntal site in Kurtatsch in Alto Adige. The vines grow on warm slopes overlooking the Adige Valley. Loamy and sandy soils store warmth during the day and slowly release it again at night. In this way the berries ripen fully and achieve great aromatic density. At the same time, cool downdrafts from the mountains ensure freshness and clarity of structure.

The Gewürztraminer variety has a long tradition in South Tyrol. Here it shows its typical aromatic abundance with rose and exotic fruit, along with gentle yet supporting acidity. For the Brenntal Gewürztraminer, Kellerei Kurtatsch selects ripe, aromatically highly concentrated grapes. Harvesting takes place in several passes, so that only optimally ripe grapes make it into the Riserva selection.

In the cellar, gentle delivery is followed by careful processing. The grapes are gently crushed before a short maceration time allows contact between skins and must. During this phase, a large part of the intense aromatic compounds and fine phenolics are extracted, shaping the velvety texture on the palate later on. This is followed by gentle pressing.

Fermentation begins at controlled temperature in order to preserve the fragrant fruit. Stainless steel is usually used as a fermentation vessel, partly supplemented by wood, depending on the vintage and desired style. Slow, cool fermentation preserves the typical rose and lychee notes without overloading them. After fermentation, the wine matures for an extended period on the fine lees. Regular batonnage, i.e. stirring of the lees, lends additional creaminess and ensures the distinctive smoothness.

As a Riserva, this Gewürztraminer receives more maturation time than a classic version. Kellerei Kurtatsch aims for maximum expressiveness of the terroir and great depth in the glass. Maturation in tank and, if necessary, in larger wooden casks brings structure and balance without overshadowing the varietal-typical aromatics. The result is a wine that reflects the Brenntal site with great precision and at the same time offers plenty of drinking pleasure.

Before bottling, gentle clarification follows so that the wine preserves its pure world of aromas. The cork closure completes the high-quality overall appearance and allows the Riserva to develop appealingly in the bottle.

Serving recommendations for the Brenntal Gewürztraminer Riserva DOC from Kellerei Kurtatsch

The Brenntal Gewürztraminer Riserva DOC - Kellerei Kurtatsch is suitable as a charming aperitif for special moments, but shows its full strength when accompanying aromatic cuisine. With fine starters such as goose liver terrine, poultry pâté or poached chicken breast, it reveals its opulent side. Asian-inspired dishes with gentle spiciness, such as Thai curry with coconut milk, lemongrass and prawns, also harmonize excellently. The subtly sweet spice of the cuisine meets the exotic fruit and spicy depth of the wine.

With Mediterranean cuisine, this Gewürztraminer pairs well with noble fish dishes, such as pan-fried sea bass with saffron foam, grilled octopus or scallops with citrus butter. It also suits the aromatic cuisine of the Near East, with dishes such as lamb tagine with apricots, couscous with roasted almonds and Ras el Hanout, offering an intense interplay of fruit and spice.

Vegetarian dishes gain an elegant counterpart with this Gewürztraminer. Risotto with pumpkin and sage, gnocchi in sage butter, baked cauliflower with tahini or ratatouille with rosemary and thyme are harmonious combinations. Soft cheeses with washed rind, matured Munster or a mild blue cheese form an enjoyable finale at the end of a meal.

At festive occasions such as birthdays, weddings or celebratory menus, this wine acts as an impressive eye-catcher. Its golden color and beguiling fragrance lend a luxurious note to any occasion. As a gift for wine lovers with a sense for aroma-rich white wines, the bottle makes a clear statement of style and ambition.

For perfect enjoyment, a serving temperature between 11 and 13 degrees Celsius is recommended. In this range, the wine shows its full richness while remaining precise and vibrant. A large, bowl-shaped white wine glass or a universal tasting glass brings out the complex aromas ideally. A short period of aeration in the glass opens the bouquet further. In the first years after bottling, the wine shows intense fruit and lively freshness. With some bottle age, it gains depth, develops slight mature tones and presents an even more harmonious structure.

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