Sanct Valentin Gewürztraminer Passito Comtess 0,375l - Kellerei St. Michael-Eppan

The Sanct Valentin Gewürztraminer Passito Comtess 0.375l Kellerei St. Michael-Eppan shows a bright golden yellow in the glass with delicate amber reflections. The dense color immediately suggests concentration and noble sweetness. Already with the first swirl, an intense bouquet rises from the glass. Ripe pineapple, candied mango and juicy lychee meet fine blossom honey. Added to this are rose petals, orange blossom and a hint of nutmeg. A subtle touch of dried apricot, yellow peach jam and a little marzipan rounds off the picture.

On the nose, the typical opulent aromatics of Gewürztraminer from Alto Adige unfold. Behind the exotic fruit appear notes of acacia honey, candied orange peel and a hint of star anise. A fine impression of vanilla and light caramel recalls the maturation and aging. A light herbal spice, some lemon balm and a hint of ginger bring tension to the lavish bouquet.

On the palate, the Sanct Valentin Gewürztraminer Passito Comtess 0.375l Kellerei St. Michael-Eppan appears dense, creamy and silky. The sweetness unfolds fully, yet thanks to the lively acidity it feels taut and precise. The exotic fruit runs through the entire impression. Ripe mango, pineapple and passion fruit combine with raisins, candied citrus peel and some dried flowers. The texture is almost oily, yet elegant and never ponderous.

On the lime-rich soils of the hills around Eppan, Gewürztraminer develops a distinctive minerality. In the Passito this appears as a fine salty aftertaste. The acidity of around 6.3 grams per liter provides astonishing freshness. This creates an impressive balance between sweetness, spice and fruit. The body appears full and rich, yet clearly structured.

The tannin structure plays no role in this sweet wine; the focus of concentration lies entirely on fruit and melt. The finish shows impressive length. For minutes, notes of honey, dried fruit, roses, oriental spices and fine minerality remain present. Every sip tells of the steep sites of South Tyrol and the signature of Kellerei St. Michael-Eppan, one of the most renowned producers in the region.

The most important aromas of this Passito at a glance:

• Exotic fruits: pineapple, mango, lychee, passion fruit
• Dried fruits: apricot, raisins, candied orange peel
• Floral notes: rose petals, orange blossom, acacia
• Honey, light caramel and a hint of marzipan
• Fine spice of nutmeg, ginger and star anise
• Mineral nuances from the limestone soil with a salty finish

With its sweet, creamy and yet vibrant style, this DOC wine is aimed at connoisseurs who appreciate great dessert wines. The single-varietal Gewürztraminer from the Old World shows all its finesse here. The half bottle with 0.375 liters is ideal for special moments for two or as a sweet finale to a menu.

This Passito shines in many moments of enjoyment. It is particularly impressive when:

1. Served with festive menus as a noble dessert wine
2. Featured in tastings of great sweet wines with friends
3. Enhancing romantic evenings as a luxurious highlight wine
4. Accompanying refined cheese courses with fine blue mold and mature hard cheese
5. Enjoyed as a meditation wine after a long day

Production of the Sanct Valentin Gewürztraminer Passito Comtess 0.375l from Kellerei St. Michael-Eppan

The grapes for the Sanct Valentin Gewürztraminer Passito Comtess 0.375l Kellerei St. Michael-Eppan come from selected vineyards in Alto Adige. The sites lie on lime-rich soils, which lend the wine its fine minerality. The alpine climate of South Tyrol brings warm days and cool nights. This combination gives the Gewürztraminer aromatic depth and freshness.

Gewürztraminer shows a particularly expressive side in South Tyrol. The grape variety here delivers intense fruit, powerful spice and an independent character. For this Passito, only fully ripe, highly concentrated grapes are used. A portion of the berries dries after harvest, increasing the concentration of sugar and aroma. This creates the basis for the sweet, dense style of the wine.

The harvest is carried out with careful selection of the grapes. Only perfectly ripe berries make it into the small harvest quantity. Hand harvesting allows precise selection directly in the vineyard. The yield is deliberately kept very low, while the quality increases significantly. The result is evident in the density and complexity of the finished Passito.

In the cellar, gentle processing takes place. The grapes undergo a soft pressing to obtain only the best must. A short maceration time intensifies the aromas of skins and fruit. Fermentation takes place under temperature control, mostly in stainless steel tanks. In this way, the pure fruit of the Gewürztraminer is precisely preserved, while the natural sweetness is harmoniously integrated.

After fermentation, the wine continues to mature, often on the fine lees. This maturation lends additional creaminess, depth and complexity. Through careful movement of the lees, the characteristic melt on the palate is created. Kellerei St. Michael-Eppan pursues a clear style here: a Passito with great richness, yet always with elegant freshness and regional character.

With the Alto Adige DOC classification, the producer signals strict control of origin and high standards. The moderate alcohol content of 11.5 percent by volume offers drinking pleasure and keeps the wine in balance despite its high sweetness. The storage potential of around five years from the vintage allows for a fine development in the bottle. With increasing age, honey, dried fruit and spice gain in depth.

Serving recommendations for the Sanct Valentin Gewürztraminer Passito Comtess 0.375l from Kellerei St. Michael-Eppan

As a sweet wine with lavish fruit and creamy texture, this Passito pairs perfectly with refined desserts. The combination with desserts based on exotic fruits is particularly fine. A tart with mango and pineapple, passion fruit sorbet or a fruit salad with lychee and citrus fruits showcases its aromas magnificently.

Wonderful harmony arises with crème brûlée, panna cotta with citrus fruit, delicate almond cake or marzipan desserts. The honey notes of the wine embrace desserts with caramel and vanilla. A fine apple tarte tatin or apricot strudel also pairs excellently. The wine frames the sweetness of the dishes without overpowering it.

As a classic partner for cheese, this Passito makes a striking impression. Blue cheeses such as Gorgonzola Dolce or Roquefort enter into an exciting liaison with the sweetness and spice of the Gewürztraminer. Mature hard cheese with a crystalline structure, such as an aged Parmesan or mountain cheese from the Alps, harmonizes wonderfully thanks to its salty and nutty notes.

Even without food, this wine shows its class. As a meditation wine after a fine dinner, it offers calm, concentrated enjoyment. In a small circle with friends, it serves as a talking point and highlight of the evening. Thanks to the half bottle, it is also ideal as a sweet finale to a menu without becoming too much.

The ideal drinking temperature is between 8 and 10 degrees Celsius. At this range, the sweetness remains clear, the acidity shows freshness and the aromas unfold in a nuanced way. A short time in the refrigerator before serving brings the wine precisely to this temperature. After opening, the Passito opens up quickly in the glass; decanting is generally not recommended for sweet wines of this type.

For full enjoyment, a medium-sized white wine glass with a slightly bulbous shape is ideal. This concentrates the bouquet and directs it to the right part of the tongue. A dessert wine glass with a narrow opening is equally suitable. With cool, light-protected storage, the wine shows its best side in the first five years after harvest.

As a gift for wine lovers, this Passito from South Tyrol is ideal. The elegant presentation, the renowned winery and the exceptional style appeal to both connoisseurs and explorers. This Gewürztraminer Passito leaves a lasting impression and transforms special occasions into unforgettable moments of enjoyment.

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