Nals Margreid
Bolzano, Trentino-Aldo Adige
A small co-operative in the truest sense of the word, Nals Margreid was founded by a small group of growers in the alpine area of Sudtirol to collectively produce fine, high-altitude wines from their small parcels of fruit which in many cases had been tended to by hand over generations. Today, Nals Margreid is one of the preeminent producers in the zone, consistently producing wines with the racy acidity, crystalline fruit purity and textural nuance which are hallmarks of great wine from this spectacular region.
The Pinots Grigio and Bianco from Nals are some of the finest produced in Italy, and resemble the icy, rocky terroir in which they are raised. And while it’s these two known varieties which bear the flag worldwide, the native, aromatic Moscato Giallo and the incredibly fragrant Schiava are the true hidden gems from this iconic winery.
Alto Adige (aka Südtirol) is quite possibly the most picturesque wine region in the world. Its wines are the quintessence of Northern European efficiency, combined with Southern European laisser-faire. Nals Margreid are well versed in the diverse Süd Tirolean territory and culture; they’re particularly adept at producing both racy, Germanic white wines and spicy, Tuscan-style red wines from indigenous varieties of international stature.
“Everything I do is based on a fundamental principle: to create wines that distinguish themselves by their expressive character and uniqueness. Nature is my passion; its terroir and microclimate are our greatest assets. I follow the work from the vineyards, and with consistency, dedication, and experience, I pursue the development of our wines. And I am delighted when our wines leave an indelible mark on the World.” Harrald Schraffl, winemaker and CEO.
As long-awaited trade tastings resume around Australia’s food and wine capitals, we’re poised to share wines like these with top sommeliers and trade peers. Based on our recent positive experience at the 35th edition of Vini d’Italia at Gambero Rosso that took place in Sydney, we can attest to their impeccable quality and it’s comforting to see the undeterred enthusiasm for Nals Margreid. The 2021 release is proof that there is power in restraint, and we're impressed by the subtle elegance on display.
2022 Pinot Bianco ‘Berg’
Although one of the smallest winegrowing regions in Italy, Südtirol grows a wide spectrum of varieties. Nals Margreid expertly channel the tempering influence of the Alps, Lake Garda’s warm, moist air currents, and the Mediterranean. Südtirol is also characterised by a variety of soils and the biodiversity it offers makes varietal selection a complex and thrilling process for local growers who dedicate their experience and innovative mindset to producing outstanding quality fruit. The ‘Berg’ Pinot Bianco has a youthful character with a fresh citrus zest, perfect for whitebait fritters.
Winemaking:
Nals Margreid has some of the region’s best Pinot Bianco vineyards, planted between the two villages of Nalles and Magrè amid the Dolomites rock formations of the Alpine peaks.
Situated on their highest vineyard (500-750 meters above sea level), the Pinot Bianco basks in mild summers and cool autumns, allowing a longer ripening period and a later harvest. The grapes are hand harvested, crushed, then pressed to stainless steel tanks for fermentation. The variety’s character is refined by skilled winemaking to create a mineral-rich wine with clear-cut aromas and flavours.
Tasting Notes:
The 2021 Berg Pinot Bianco has an extremely fragrant nose composed of lively notes of stone fruit, hay and frangipane, resinous, green mango characters adding vibrancy. The palate is as energetic and full of verve with springy lemon zest, white peach and sweet lime cordial lingering on with a sherbet-like texture that makes the palate salivate for more.
2022 Pinot Grigio ‘Hill’
Since 1932, Nals Margreid has been perpetuating traditions steeped in the Süd Tirolean wine culture, seamlessly combining them with high standards of modern wine production. With 160 hectares of vineyards expending over 13 winegrowing areas across Nalle and the sunny southern Margrè, the wines vividly express the remarkable variety of terroirs and microclimates of the region. The Pinot Grigio shows plenty of personality on its own and will do just as well with a chickpea curry.
Winemaking:
The Hill Pinot Grigio vineyard stretches out across a 50-meter-high hill, situated south of Margrè. The 80-year-old vines grow on deep grey clayey and sandy soil, resulting in more robust flavours. Once picked, the grapes are quickly crushed and pressed to temperature controlled stainless steel tanks, where fermentation takes place for 3 weeks. The wine spends 5 months on its fine lees before bottling.
Tasting Notes:
The 2021 Hill Pinot Grigio is so bright and juicy. The palate is zesty and pulpy with bright citrus notes throughout. It has an everlasting Granny Smith apple tartness and a sweet homemade lemonade core highlighted by a perky acidity and a fleshy, creamy texture to boot.
The 2021 Pinot Grigio Hill bursts from the glass with a display of ripe peaches, white flowers and sweet smoke. It’s silky and round in feel, boasting a balanced inner sweetness offset by saline-minerals, with vivid yellow apple and a hint of lemony citrus. The 2021 Hill finishes long but fresh as nuances of chamomile taper off. This harmonious Pinot Grigio is a total pleasure to taste. 90 pts. Eric Guido, Vinous
2020 Pinot Bianco ‘Sirmian’
Pinot Bianco is at home in Südtirol’s most elevated sites scattered among the glacial valley (800 meters above sea level). White wines, including Pinot Bianco, account for over 20% of its total wine production and are a hallmark. Pinot Bianco has greatly benefitted from region-wide improvements in viticultural practices that brought about smaller yields of top-quality fruit offering producers a plethora of winemaking options. The steep uplands that give birth to the ‘Sirmian’ Pinot Bianco are located above Nalles. As expected of a Pinot Bianco of this calibre, the Sirmian Pinot Bianco shows incredible complexity. Zucchini and pecorino gnocchi should complement it nicely.
Winemaking:
Situated at 500-750 meters above sea level, the historical Sirmian vineyard gives its name to this Pinot Bianco. It’s south-east facing and contain limestone, gneiss, mica, slate and marble, that originated millions of years ago from the glaciers of the Western Alps. This morainic deposit is permeable and sits on top of porphyry prehistoric bedrock. They impart a unique raw salinity to the grapes. The mild summers and cool autumns allow a longer ripening period and a later harvest in mid-October. The grapes are hand harvested, crushed, then pressed to stainless steel tanks for the majority, and large oak barrels for a small part. After fermentation, the wine is left on its fine lees for added texture and complexity.
Tasting Notes:
When first smelling it, the Sirmian Pinot Bianco offers a tantalising mix of fruit and salinity. The nose is so inviting with yellow apple, pear and hints of brioche and delicate vanilla sugar spice. The palate couldn’t be drier, though; it bursts with intense grapefruit and snow pea shoot characters, and a salty minerality balanced with a light yet piercing acidity polishing the finish off nicely. 17/20 pts. Jancis Robinson, Jancis Robinson
2022 Muller Thurgau ‘Obern Berg’
The Orben Berg Müller Thurgau is a master of all and worth taking seriously. Part Riesling and part Madelaine Royale in genetic make-up, it was bred by the Swiss botanist Hermann Müller, who was local to the canton of Thurgau. Alto Adige is one of the rare bastions of premium quality Müller Thurgau, where its early ripening nature and fine Riesling-like qualities shine, especially when grown in small yields.
Winemaking:
The fruit comes from the highest vineyards (500-600 meters above sea level) situated in the Bassa Atesina area of Alto Adige. The vines grow on limestone gravel and benefit from long, cool ripening conditions. Once hand harvested, the fruit is gently pressed and the clarified must is fermented in stainless steel tanks for 3 weeks. Once the alcoholic fermentation is complete, the wine is aged on lees for five months.
Tasting Notes:
A pale-yellow hue reveals an intense bouquet of apple, peach, and elderflower on the nose. It has a juicy palate filled with tangy citrus characters and complete with a poised acid backbone creating great structure and lingering floral notes.
2020 Moscato Giallo ‘Sun’
Indigenous to Südtirol, Moscato Giallo is able to express itself both in sweet and dry styles here. This is a charming wine born from the ingenious interplay between rigorous winemaking and tradition that has evolved with the times. With over 80 harvests to their belt, the 138 wine-growing families who cultivate the land to draw on its unique potential, never fail to deliver the best quality fruit year after year. The Sun Moscato Giallo is the perfect accompaniment to delicate King George whiting meuniere
Winemaking:
The fruit comes from the village of Niclara, close to Nalles, where limestone gravel soils contribute to the lively acidity in the final wine. It is hand harvested and gently pressed to stainless steel tanks, where it ferments for 3 weeks. The wine spends 5 months on its fine lees before bottling
Tasting Notes:
The nose has unmistakable, intoxicating Moscato aromas – candied citrus, lychee, ripe apricot and honey notes. The palate is dry and medium-bodied; it shows great harmony of rich tropical flavours and lively acidity. The finish is fine, long and graceful
2022 Schiava ‘Pfeffersberger’
The ‘Pfeffersburger’ exemplifies the global appeal of indigenous red varieties like Schiava. It makes a strong case for the preservation and the continuous elevation of the cultural and environmental heritage of a region with a rich history dating back more than 3000 years. The Edelvernatsch is named after the castle ruin from the late 12th century towering over Nalle. It earned Nals Margreid the first place in the 2021 Vernatsch Cup, thanks to its Old-World charm and incontestable drinkability. Schiava is a faithful partner to speck and other cold cuts.
Winemaking:
Südtirol provides the optimum conditions for Vernatsch (Schiava), its oldest indigenous red grape variety. Here, the vines grow roots deep into the steep gravelly slopes of San Maddalena, at 250 to 350 meters above sea level. The grapes are hand harvested, then carefully destemmed, crushed and the juice is fermented on skins for ten to twelve days at controlled temperature. The wine is aged in stainless steel tanks and large oak barrels for 7 months.
Tasting Notes:
Light, bright ruby in colour, the Pfeffersburger Schiava shows all the hallmarks of quality and varietal integrity – bright red fruit and delicate lavender and cherry blossom aromas echo loud and clear on the palate. Some red plum and cherry flavours add to the juicy palate and they are beautifully complemented by fresh thyme and the most finely grained and seamlessly integrated tannins.
2022 Pinot Noir ‘Angra’
Thanks to its geographical position, where the North becomes the South, Südtirol offers the perfect breeding ground for authentic wines full of originality and complexity. The Angra Pinot Noir vines grow in the Oltradige area, between 350 and 450 meters above sea level on compact morainic soil, born from Ice Age glaciers, and rich in limestone, clay, and minerals. The warm Mediterranean climate primes the fruit with sunny summers and mild winters, while the cooling ‘Ora’ afternoon winds blow from Lake Garda. As the newest addition to our range, this Pinot Noir is sure to conquer palates and hearts with its generous disposition. Enjoy this fleshy and earthy goodness with mushroom and sage stuffed spatchcock with truffle cream sauce.
Winemaking:
The grapes are hand harvested. Once gently destemmed they are crushed, pressed and fermented in stainless steel tanks at controlled temperature, including some maceration time. After malolactic conversion, the wine is aged in large, 40-litre oak barrels for 7 months.
Tasting Notes:
The nose is rich and effervescent with intense blackcurrant, black cherry and blueberry fruit, and a distinctive earthy beetroot character. The complex palate is filled with sour cherry, cranberry and tart raspberry, and some dried cassis and star anise spice. The finish is drawn-out thanks to the mouth-watering acidity and fine, powdery tannins that carry the delicate red apple skin and cherry liqueur aftertaste. There’s a delicate, drying nutmeg character that gives it so much appeal and depth.
2021 Lagrein ‘Sand’
Lagrein is one of Südtirol’s great ambassadors. Thanks to its velvety texture, approachable acidity and tantalising spicy tones that highlight the pulpy berry fruit characters, it enjoys a worldwide popularity. Nals Margreid understand the potential of finely structured Lagrein. Using gravity, the wines come to life in a gentle extractive process, resulting in a style that shows balance and a timeless elegance. It sings with roast beetroots, goat’s curd and walnut salad.
Winemaking:
The indigenous red variety shows great affinity with warm sites like the Bolzano basin, along the Adige River, where higher summer temperatures promote better ripening. The grapes are hand harvested, destemmed and the must is fermented in stainless steel tanks, with regular gentle pumping over. Further ageing takes place in small oak barrels for 7 months.
Tasting Notes:
The 2021 Sand Lagrein exudes a rich and intense bouquet to match the inky colour. It’s exuberant with black cherry, dark plum and a hint of star anise. The tannins are quite light, and they glide over the fruit in harmony with the fine acid line carrying the blackcurrant and cherry notes on the finish.