Vernatsch (Schiava) Mediævum
Südtirol’s beloved everyday red, known as Schiava in Italian, and nowhere more charming than on these steep slopes beneath Presule Castle. Markus Prackwieser treats this old Alpine grape with the respect of a grand cru: silky, fragrant, and impossibly drinkable, brimming with wild cherry, raspberry, violets, and a whisper of almond over cool mountain stone. Light on its feet, serve it with a slight chill and watch it disappear — alongside speck, pizza, mountain cheese, or absolutely nothing at all. The Dolomites in a glass.
Appellation: Südtirol DOC
Type: Red, dry
Varietal: 100% Vernatsch (Schiava)
Color: Bright ruby red.
Bouquet: Violet and hibiscus florals float over black cherries and red berries, soft spices and earthy mineral notes.
Palate: Light tannins and fresh acidity make this an easy drinking, year-round red. Cherry is the dominant fruit but this is more remarkable for the delicate savoriness. The finish is reasonably long with hints of tobacco, smoke, and alpine mint.
Alcohol: 13%.
Total Acid: 4.9 g/l.
Residual Sugar: 1.8 g/l.
Serving Temperature: 14-16° C (57-61° F)
Pairing: Speck and salumi, pizza, mountain and Alpine cheeses, roast chicken, grilled lake fish, mushroom dishes.
Location: Steep, terraced sites around the historic Gumphof farmstead in Novale di Presule, beneath Presule Castle.
Altitude: 400–480 meters (1,300-1,550 feet) a.s.l.
Soil: Calcareous moraines on solid quartz porphyry.
Slope: 50–60%
Training: Pergola and trellis
Density: 4,500 vines/ha.
Yield: 75 hl/ha.
Harvest: End of September.
Vinification: short cold maceration followed by fermentation in steel tank for one week.
Aging: malolactic fermentation and aging in steel tanks for 8 months.
2012 Vernatsch – 88 Points – Vinous Media (Mar 2014)
“The 2012 Vernatsch (Schiava) is a tasty red with plenty of varietal character. Smoke, game, dried red cherries and anise come together nicely in the glass. Schiava is always a bit rustic, but this is a solid effort with plenty of personality. This light-bodied red is best enjoyed over the next year or two, while the flavors remain bright.” ~ A.G.
2011 Vernatsch – 90 Points – Vinous Media (May 2013)
“The 2011 Vernatsch wafts from the glass with sweet red cherries, crushed flowers, tobacco and a hitn of menthol. This deceptively medium-bodied red captures all of the best qualities of the Schiava, one of Alto Adige's indigenous grapes, with none of the angular contours that are typically seen. It is a pretty, feminine wine to enjoy over the next year or two.” ~ A.G.
