Prior to the tasting at the cooperative Nals-Magreid, we made a beautiful walk in the Etschtal. It was obvious they have some experience in wine making in this area (see the sign at the photo section).

In the cooperative we were welcomed into a very nice, modern and functional designed building. The photo is unfortunately only a moderate representation of reality. The (informative) website does not have excellent pictures, but have has good information for tasting! So do so!

http://www.kellerei.it/de/kellerei_nals_margreid.php

The new building uses gravity to ‘transport’ the grapes and grape juice. To keep the speed in the production process each wine grower has three days to supply his grapes. The growers are paid depending on the size of the vineyard, and not how much sugar the grapes have or the amount of grapes they harvest.

The vineyards Nals and Magreid vary enormously, even though there may be only 40 kilometers in between the northern and southern part. Depending on the exposure towards the sun, the cooperative plants certain varieties.

Around the city Tramin there is particularly in sunshine the morning, so they plant Gewürztraminer.

On the red porphyry soil surrounding Bozen, red grape varieties are planted (mainly Lagrein), partly because on the slopes the sun shines all day.

The harvest in Magreid begins in late August. The grapes in Nals ripen 14 days longer and Pinot Blanc grapes form Sirmian are to be harvested until October.

During our huge tasting, we had some 'famous' Pinot Blanc Sirmian to taste. Among others it is rated in the Gambero rosso with 3 glasses (highest score). But the Sauvignon Blanc Mantele 2010 was really beautiful, just like the Galea Edelvernatsch of 100-120 year old vines.

This winery was visited with WineWalks of Jeanet Bruining.