alto adige
ADVANCED MIXOLOGY
SPECIAL SECTION
The GatewaytoItaly
One
OF THE LEAST TALKED ABOUT BUT NOTABLE REGIONS IS THE Alto Adige wine region, also known as the gateway to Italy. It is where some of the world’s best Pinot Grigio wines are made. The major flavors of the region produce zesty-styled wines, with feint lemon tones and waxy peach aromas hinting to slight honey and almond undertones. The wines have higher acidity and less fruit flavors than American Pinot Grigio. “Alto Adige is extremely well known for its Pinot Grigios and is also small as far as Italian regions go,” says John Dunn, VP Marketing and Operations, of Luna Nuda Wines. Winemaker Alfons Giovanett founded Luna Nuda’s Castelfeder Winery in Italy’s Alto Adige Valley in 1969. His philosophy centered on the luna nuda or “naked moon,” which he thought should be celebrated for its mysterious and magical influences on winemaking. Alfons is intrigued by the phases of the moon and its effect on winemaking. Alfons even made a wine that he keeps in stainless steel tanks for exactly one-year so that the wine concludes an entire moon cycle, which he believes creates the best juice.
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And, as such, Alfons attests that wine tastes best during a full moon. The fourth-generation winemaking family continues to produce estate grown handpicked and hand sorted Pinot Grigio from the Alto Adige region that embodies the celebratory spirit of the full moon. “What makes Luna Nuda a quality wine is the care and energy that is put into cultivating the grapes and the winemaking process at Castelfeder Winery,” notes Dunn. “With its bright bouquet and light taste Luna Nuda Pinot Grigio wine is crisp, with flavors of golden delicious apple and citrus. This wine has a hint of alpine air and minerality flavors that embody the terroir of Italy’s northernmost winegrowing region.” WINE LABELS PRO TIP: The more specific the wine description is on the back label with regard to terroir and description the more you can tell about the wine and more description to give to customers!
