What I Learned

The Eisacktal district is one of several denominated wine districts of the Suedtirol wine region. The Eisack river is named Isarco in Italian, and the valley it created over the millennia is one of northern Italy’s main north-south routes. The district is located in north-central Italy, just south the Brenner Pass connecting Italy and Austria. It has less than 400 hectares devoted to vineyards. The vineyards exist at lower elevations than the pass, and are usually in relatively sheltered places with good exposure to the sun. (After all, we are talking about an area distinguished primarily by the Alps and Dolomites.) Some of the best vineyards are on the slopes south (and below) Saebens, an ancient monastery, rising above Klausen. About 90% of the wine from here is white wine. Sylvaner (yes with a Y here), Kerner and Gewuerztraminer) with the remainder a red blend (permitted varietals include Vernatsch/Schiava Grossa, Blauer Portugieser, Pinot Noir) called Klausner Laitacher.

What I Tasted

2017 Sylvaner “Aristos” Eisacktal DOC, Eisacktaler Kellereigenossenschaft, (Klausen): A dry white wine with medium plus gold color; a fruity, spicy and mineral nose, with vanilla and gooseberry flavors; medium plus acidity.

2017 Kerner “Aristos” Eisacktal DOC, Eisacktaler Kellereigenossenschaft, (Klausen): A dry white wine with medium plus gold color; vanilla, mango and peach nose, with licorice, peach and vanilla flavors, medium plus acidity.

2017 Veltliner, Eisacktal DOC, Eisacktaler Kellereingenossenschaft (Klausen): A dry white wine with light gold color; peach and spice nose, with peach, apricot and vanilla flavors; medium acidity.

2016 Zweigelt “Z”, IGT, Eisacktaler Kellereigenossenschaft, (Klausen): A dry red wine with dark garnet color; spice and dark cherry nose, with flavors of the same; medium tannins.

2016 Caruess Mitterberg Weiss, IGT, Weingut Roeck (Villanders): A dry white wine cuvee (Gewuerztraminer (about 50%), Pinot Grigio and Sylvaner), with medium plus gold color; chalk and slight floral nose, with white fruits, spicy, slight vanilla and oak flavors

2014 Zweigelt Mitterberg Caruess, IGT, Weingut Roeck (Villanders): A dry red wine with medium plus ruby red color; smoke and violet nose, with vanilla, tobacco and dark cherry flavors; medium plus tannins.