Fallwind Sauvignon DOC - Kellerei St. Michael-Eppan

The Fallwind Sauvignon DOC - Kellerei St. Michael-Eppan catches the eye in the glass with a clear, gleaming lemon yellow, shot through with delicate greenish reflections. Already at the first swirl, an intense aroma rises, marked by ripe grapefruit and crisp gooseberry. Added to this are fine notes of lime peel, freshly cut grass and cool Alpine herbs.

On the nose, this Sauvignon Blanc from Alto Adige reveals a distinctive yet precise aromatic profile. Juicy citrus fruit meets hints of white currants and a touch of passion fruit. Subtle nuances of elderflower, nettle and lemon balm give the bouquet an elegant, gently exotic spice. In the background, a clear, stony minerality resonates, reminiscent of wet pebbles and a mountain stream.

On the palate, the Fallwind Sauvignon DOC - Kellerei St. Michael-Eppan appears taut, fresh and vibrant. The crisp texture carries juicy, dry fruit in which grapefruit and lime take the lead. Gooseberry, green apple and a hint of yellow kiwi join in. The acidity is clear and lively, yet finely integrated and always in balance with the fruity core.

The herbal spice remains present on the palate and is reminiscent of sage, mint and a little verbena leaf. A delicate hint of green bell pepper and cassis leaf lends the wine a cool, Alpine freshness. The body appears medium-weight, slenderly built and yet with sufficient drive to accompany aromatically intense dishes. The finish is long, bell-clear and marked by citrus and mineral freshness.

This Sauvignon Blanc is an impressive reflection of the northern terroir of South Tyrol. The vineyards lie in the cool higher altitudes around Eppan, where warm days and fresh nights allow slow ripening. The soils of limestone, gravel and porphyry lend the wine a distinctive, salty vein. This creates a style that unites freshness, clarity and Alpine aromatics.

Typical of the grape variety, the wine shows a distinct but never intrusive aromatic expression. The Sauvignon Blanc grape here delivers:

• Crisp citrus fruit from lime to pink grapefruit
• Juicy notes of gooseberry and white currant
• Fragrant herbal accents of grass, mint and lemon balm
• Fine floral tones of elderflower
• Precise minerality with a cool, stony impression

The stylistic approach is clearly focused on freshness, structure and drinkability. The wine presents itself fruit-driven, but always retains its elegant, cool vein. The acid structure provides tension, the dry vinification brings clarity and length. This creates a Sauvignon Blanc that brings great pleasure both on its own and with food.

The following points are helpful for classifying the wine:

1. Alpine freshness thanks to cool higher altitudes in Alto Adige
2. Pure-varietal Sauvignon Blanc with clear varietal typicity
3. Dry, crisp and straightforward in style
4. Expressive nose with citrus, gooseberry and herbs
5. Long, minerally influenced finish with clear structure

In the glass, the Fallwind Sauvignon DOC - Kellerei St. Michael-Eppan reveals a new detail with every sip. Sometimes the fresh grapefruit steps to the fore, sometimes the fine herbal spice. The cool minerality always remains like a common thread. This creates a wine that captivates both connoisseurs and curious enthusiasts.

Production of the Fallwind Sauvignon DOC from Kellerei St. Michael-Eppan

The grapes for this DOC Sauvignon Blanc come from selected sites around St. Michael in Eppan in South Tyrol. The vineyards lie at medium to higher altitudes along the slopes above the South Tyrolean Wine Road. During the day, the southern sun has an effect, at night cool air flows down from the mountains. This interplay ensures intense aromas combined with taut acidity.

The vines grow on calcareous gravel soils with deposits of porphyry and moraine debris. These soils offer excellent drainage and restrain the growth of the vines. This results in small, aromatic berries with concentrated juice. The Sauvignon Blanc responds with particularly clear fruit, fine herbal spice and distinctive minerality.

Harvesting is carried out selectively, parcel by parcel, mostly in the cooler morning hours. In this way, the grapes reach the cellar fresh and aromatic. Only ripe fruit goes into the presses. At Kellerei St. Michael-Eppan, great care is taken with precise selection in order to bring out the typical Sauvignon aromatics from Alto Adige in a radiant manner.

After arrival in the cellar, the whole grapes or lightly crushed berries are gently pressed. A short, cool maceration period intensifies the extraction of the varietal-typical aromas of citrus, gooseberry and herbs. The musts run clear and clean into temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks.

Fermentation takes place at cool temperatures in order to preserve the fine fruit and floral aromas. Stainless steel tanks preserve the freshness and prevent any intrusive wood influence. This keeps the character of the grape variety in the foreground, supported by the cool origin and Alpine climate. After fermentation, the young wine rests on the fine lees.

Ageing on the lees provides a little more creaminess and fullness on the palate without detracting from the crisp texture. Regular stirring of the lees in selected batches adds extra creaminess and lends the wine more depth. After a certain maturation time, the Sauvignon receives its final cuvée composition from different sites and tank lots.

With this Sauvignon Blanc, Kellerei St. Michael-Eppan pursues a clear quality course. Precise fruit, fidelity to origin and elegance are at the centre. The wine presents the Alpine style of South Tyrol, combined with the aromatic richness of the grape variety. The result appears in every bottle as a fresh, structured white wine with DOC character.

Enjoyment recommendations for the Fallwind Sauvignon DOC from Kellerei St. Michael-Eppan

This Sauvignon Blanc is excellently suited as an enticing aperitif at the beginning of an evening. The lively citrus freshness stimulates the palate and opens the way for further courses. The wine is ideal with light starters featuring fish, vegetables or fine herbs.

With seafood, the Fallwind plays to its strengths superbly. Grilled prawns with lime, marinated octopus, scallops on pea purée or oysters with lemon zest find a perfect partner here. The fresh acidity and mineral character underscore the salty notes of the sea.

This wine also shows great harmony with fish dishes. Fried pike-perch with an herb crust, oven-baked trout with lemon or tuna tartare with capers and olives enter into an exciting dialogue with this Sauvignon. The wine’s fine herbal spice elegantly picks up the aromas of the cuisine.

Fans of vegetarian cuisine enjoy the wine with dishes featuring green vegetables. Asparagus with lemon butter, courgette risotto, pea purée, goat’s cheese with herbs or salads with fresh coriander and mint make ideal partners. The crisp texture and juicy fruit frame the delicate aromas of vegetable-based dishes.

The Fallwind is also very well suited to:

• Goat’s cheese terrine with herbs
• Quiche with leeks and goat’s cheese
• Sushi and sashimi with fresh wasabi
• Pasta with lemon-olive oil sauce and spring vegetables
• Roast chicken with lemon thyme

The ideal serving temperature is 8 to 10 degrees Celsius. Slightly chilled, the wine shows its taut structure and clear freshness at their best. A white wine glass with a slightly bulbous shape is particularly suitable. In it, the aromas of grapefruit, gooseberry and herbs unfold step by step while remaining focused.

This Sauvignon does not require decanting; a short time breathing in the glass is sufficient. The cellaring potential is about five years from the vintage. During this period, the wine preserves its freshness while gaining some depth and complexity. As a gift for lovers of aromatic white wines from the Old World, the Fallwind provides great pleasure and offers an impressive piece of South Tyrol in the glass.

• More products from Kellerei St. Michael-Eppan