Pranzegg 'Tonsur' 2024

Most people expect South Tyrolean wines to be ripe and full and warm and how wonderful that Pranzegg is not that. Martin Gojer deliberately chose the outsider position. His vineyards on the Kohlerer Berg and the Ritten face north-west, shaded by forest, cooled by downdraughts. The soils are volcanic. Porphyry, basalt, granite. His wines have tension instead of opulence, acidity instead of jammy fruit. Which is what we like!

Tonsur is a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, Müller-Thurgau, and Sylvaner that were macerated for about 5 days with 50% of the stems. They went through a very, very slow press which means that there was some extra, intense skin contact situation happening. The wine is radiant, slightly naturally cloudy (it's unfiltered!). It smells like crisp green apple, meadow herbs, a touch of yeast, and a fine, smoky-volcanic note. The palate is wonderfully juicy and lean, with a nice grippy texture, and a refreshingly crisp finish.

Have it with trout, or a creamy risotto with wild herbs.