What kind of wine is Alto Adige Pinot Nero Riserva DOC 'Sanct Valentin' 2022 - San Michele Appiano?

The Alto Adige Pinot Nero Riserva DOC 'Sanct Valentin' 2022 - San Michele Appiano is a red wine of great elegance, made from Pinot Noir grapes (locally called *Blauburgunder*), a varietal originating from Burgundy which finds one of its most refined expressions in Alto Adige. Since 1850, this variety has been passionately cultivated in the valleys of Alto Adige, where temperature fluctuations and calcareous-clay soils allow for the production of reds with surprising finesse. Since 1995, only the oldest and best-exposed vineyards have been designated for this Riserva, ensuring minimal yields and maximum aromatic concentration. The result is a Pinot Noir with a harmonious, balanced body, intimately linked to its terroir.

Vintage details

2022 in Alto Adige was a vintage that combined optimal ripeness and freshness. Warm days and cool nights favored a balanced harvest, yielding perfectly healthy and aromatic grapes. The Pinot Noir bunches were hand-picked between late September and early October, the ideal time to enhance complexity and finesse.

Winemaking and aging

The grapes for Alto Adige Pinot Nero Riserva DOC 'Sanct Valentin' 2022 - San Michele Appiano are destemmed and undergo slow fermentation at controlled temperatures, with maceration on the skins to delicately extract color and silky tannins. Aging takes place in small French oak barrels and subsequently in large wooden barrels, where the wine matures for about 12 months before final blending. This process imparts elegance and complexity, while preserving varietal freshness.

Tasting notes

Color

It presents a brilliant ruby red, with garnet reflections that reveal its nature as a refined and well-structured wine.

Nose

The bouquet is broad and enveloping: notes of cherry and raspberry stand out, accompanied by floral nuances and hints of sweet spices derived from the wood. With aeration, elegant undertones of undergrowth and vanilla emerge.

Palate

On the palate, it is harmonious, fine yet intense. The attack is fruity, the body balanced by a lively freshness, while the well-integrated and velvety tannins offer structure without rigidity. The persistence is long, with an elegant and slightly mineral finish, characteristic of great Alto Adige Pinot Noirs.

Food pairings for Alto Adige Pinot Nero Riserva DOC 'Sanct Valentin' 2022 - San Michele Appiano

This wine is extraordinarily versatile at the table. Perfect for accompanying red meat and game dishes, it also pairs well with mountain cuisine and more delicate preparations. Ideal with:

• Beef or veal fillet with red wine reduction
• Roast duck or guinea fowl
• Light game, such as roe deer or hare
• Aged or semi-hard cheeses

Its elegance also makes it excellent with rich pasta dishes, such as tagliatelle with mushrooms or cheese risottos.

Storage and aging: how to store Alto Adige Pinot Nero Riserva DOC 'Sanct Valentin' 2022 - San Michele Appiano wine

To preserve the finesse of this Pinot Noir, it is advisable to store it in a cool, dark place free from temperature fluctuations, with the bottle lying down to keep the cork moist. The ideal storage temperature is around 12-14°C. Thanks to its structure and well-balanced acidity, the Alto Adige Pinot Nero Riserva DOC 'Sanct Valentin' 2022 - San Michele Appiano is a wine that can evolve beautifully over time. It can be enjoyed immediately for its freshness and fragrance, or allowed to mature in the cellar for 6-10 years, developing more complex notes and an even more harmonious taste profile.