Flora Blauburgunder Riserva DOC - Kellerei Girlan

In the glass, Flora Blauburgunder Riserva DOC - Kellerei Girlan shows a bright ruby red with fine garnet-red reflections at the rim. The depth of color already suggests concentration and elegance. Even with the first swirl, a multi-layered bouquet rises, typical of great Pinot Noir from South Tyrol and yet with a very individual signature.

On the nose, juicy aromas of ripe strawberry and blackcurrant unfold, along with rosehip and a hint of raspberry. Delicate notes of cherry add a classic Pinot fruit. Behind the fruit, a finely woven spiciness opens up: vanilla from the oak barrel, a touch of licorice, a hint of sandalwood and slightly smoky nuances. Dried rose petals and a hint of violet bring a floral note, while a subtle minerality is reminiscent of damp volcanic rock and cool stone.

On the palate, Flora Blauburgunder Riserva DOC - Kellerei Girlan shows a silkily structured body that beautifully integrates the 14.5% alcohol by volume. The texture appears fine, polished and very elegant. The ripe red fruit takes center stage: strawberry, cherry and a hint of lingonberry. Blackcurrant provides a dense core. The spice from the oak complements this fruit with vanilla, delicate dark chocolate, a touch of clove and a hint of roasted hazelnut.

The tannins are very fine, ripe and almost velvety. They frame the palate without ever appearing harsh. The acidity is precise and lively, lending the wine freshness and length. The style is clearly shaped by the Old World: fruit-driven yet clearly structured, with a focus on elegance rather than sheer power. The finish is very long, with notes of red forest fruits, sweet clove, vanilla and a delicate hint of smoke that lingers for a long time.

The Alto Adige origin is evident in the balance of alpine freshness and ripe fruit. The vineyards of Kellerei Girlan are situated at higher altitudes, offering cool nights and sunny days. Clay soils on volcanic rock give the wine density, grip and a fine, almost salty minerality on the finish. Pinot Noir here shows a particularly noble character, clear, precise and with great potential for aging.

The typical aromas of this red wine can be well summarized as follows:

• Red fruits: strawberry, cherry, rosehip, raspberry
• Dark fruits: blackcurrant, a touch of blackberry
• Spice: vanilla, dark chocolate, licorice, clove
• Floral notes: dried rose petals, violet
• Mineral nuances: cool stone, volcanic rock, a light smoky note

On the palate, the wine shows a stylish dramaturgy of freshness, power and finesse. The structure remains silky, the body appears medium to full, without ever seeming heavy. The ripe fruit carries all the way through, while the oak notes lend the wine depth and complexity. The sweetness is very low, the wine is clearly dry with only 1.4 grams of residual sugar. The lively acidity and fine tannin structure carry the wine into a long, precise finish.

Flora Blauburgunder Riserva DOC - Kellerei Girlan is very well suited for wine lovers who enjoy the Burgundian style but also appreciate an independent South Tyrolean character. It shows Pinot Noir in a rare combination of alpine freshness, southern ripeness and firm Old World structure.

Those who want to grasp the strengths of this wine at a glance can focus on these points:

1. Elegantly silky and at the same time structured on the palate
2. Multi-layered fruit with fine spice from oak
3. Alpine terroir with clay and volcanic rock as a clear profile
4. Long aging potential with development over around ten years
5. Versatile pairing with refined cuisine and delicate dishes

Production of Flora Blauburgunder Riserva DOC by Kellerei Girlan

The grapes for this Pinot Noir come from selected sites in Alto Adige, around the village of Girlan. Here, an alpine climate with warm days and cool nights prevails, allowing the grapes to ripen slowly and evenly. The soils show a mix of robust clay and volcanic rock. Clay brings body and structure, the rock provides tension and a distinctive minerality.

In South Tyrol, Pinot Noir presents a very fine, cool style. The variety naturally has thin grape skins and delicate tannins. In this Riserva selection, Kellerei Girlan places great importance on both density and elegance. Low-yielding vines supply highly concentrated fruit. Harvesting is selective, often by hand, grape by grape. Only fully ripe fruit reaches the winery.

After the grapes are brought in, they are carefully destemmed. The berries are placed very gently on the mash. A cool pre-maceration releases initial color and aroma compounds from the skins. This step intensifies fruit and finesse even before fermentation. Alcoholic fermentation takes place under controlled temperature in stainless steel tanks or wooden vats. In this way, the freshness of the Pinot Noir is preserved while the tannins are gently extracted from the skins.

During fermentation, the cellar master carefully punches down the cap on a regular basis. This allows color, aroma and structure to gradually flow into the young wine. After fermentation, the wine is drawn off the skins and transferred to wooden barrels. Aging in barriques and large oak casks gives the wine additional depth. Vanilla, fine roasted aromas and delicate chocolate tones develop at this stage without masking the varietal fruit.

Extended aging on the fine lees further polishes the texture. The lees contribute creaminess and silkier tannins while protecting the delicate aroma. Regular bâtonnage, that is, stirring of the lees, intensifies mouthfeel. The Riserva character is reflected in the significantly longer barrel and bottle aging before the wine goes to market. Thus, it already reaches the drinker in a very harmonious phase, but will continue to develop for many years.

Serving recommendations for Flora Blauburgunder Riserva DOC from Kellerei Girlan

This Pinot Noir is an ideal match for refined, aromatic cuisine. The silky, elegant structure accompanies delicate meat, fine poultry and aromatic vegetarian dishes with great harmony. It pairs very well with a starter of beef carpaccio, aged hard cheese and mushrooms. Wild herb salad with sautéed mushrooms and crispy bacon also finds a noble partner in this wine.

As a main course, medium-rare lamb chops with an herb crust and ratatouille work particularly well. Saddle of venison, briefly seared duck breast or stuffed quail also harmonize with the fine fruit and gentle tannins. In vegetarian cuisine, the wine pairs confidently with tagliatelle with porcini mushrooms, truffle risotto or baked eggplant with tomato and herbs.

For cheese, a selection of medium to mildly spicy varieties is recommended. Mountain cheese, Taleggio, aged Toma or a mild blue cheese play very nicely with the spicy, fruity notes of the wine. Even a simple platter of air-dried ham, salami, olives and good bread is elegantly elevated by this Pinot Noir.

The wine suits festive occasions, elegant dinner evenings and quiet moments of enjoyment for two. It also makes an excellent gift for connoisseurs of Burgundy varieties. The ideal serving temperature is between 15 and 18 degrees. Slight chilling before opening adds extra freshness. In a bulbous Pinot Noir glass, the wine unfolds its aromas best. A brief decanting before serving further opens bouquet and structure.

With proper storage in a cool, dark environment, the wine shows a very attractive evolution for about ten years from the vintage. The fruit transforms from fresh berry to dried fruit and fine spice notes. Over the years, this creates a complex, many-layered drinking experience that brings the character of Alto Adige impressively into the glass.

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