What kind of wine is Alto Adige Spumante Metodo Classico Blanc de Blancs DOC Pas Dosé 'Praeclarus' 2018 - St.Pauls

The Alto Adige Spumante Metodo Classico Blanc de Blancs DOC Pas Dosé 'Praeclarus' 2018 - St.Pauls is a sparkling wine of great elegance and precision, produced solely from Chardonnay grapes grown in the oldest and most suitable vineyards of Appiano, South Tyrol. It is a Metodo Classico, meaning it is made with secondary fermentation in the bottle using the traditional technique employed for Champagne, resulting in fine and persistent bubbles. The outcome is a sparkling wine with an essential, refined, and territorial style, which best expresses the purity of the grape variety and the influence of the local Dolomite soils.

Vintage Details

The 2018 vintage in South Tyrol was characterized by regular weather and a warm summer but with good temperature fluctuations between day and night. These conditions favored optimal ripening of the Chardonnay grapes, with a perfect balance between aromatic concentration, acidity, and freshness. The harvest, carried out by hand in the high-altitude vineyards of St.Pauls, ensured a careful selection of the bunches, an essential basis for obtaining a sparkling wine of great finesse and longevity.

Winemaking and Aging

The vinification of 'Praeclarus' faithfully follows the dictates of the Metodo Classico. After a primary fermentation of the must, the base cuvée is aged in large wooden barrels, where it acquires complexity and structure. Subsequently, the wine is bottled with the addition of yeasts, to begin the second fermentation in the bottle, during which the bubbles develop. The aging period on the lees lasts a full 60 months, inside an ancient, unused World War II bunker located in the mountains of Appiano. The constant temperature and perfect humidity conditions favor a slow maturation, which gives the sparkling wine balance, refinement, and harmonious evolutionary notes.

Tasting Notes

Alto Adige Spumante Metodo Classico Blanc de Blancs DOC Pas Dosé 'Praeclarus' 2018 - St.Pauls is a wine of great personality, where freshness and complexity coexist in perfect harmony.

Color

Bright and luminous, with a straw yellow color and golden reflections. The perlage is very fine and continuous, a distinctive sign of the long aging on the lees.

Nose

The aromatic profile is elegant and complex: notes of green apple, citrus, and white flowers are perceived, followed by hints of bread crust and dried fruit, typical of prolonged maturation. Everything intertwines in a bouquet of great balance and finesse.

Taste

On the palate, it reveals a lively freshness and a marked acidity that make every sip dynamic and pleasant. The absence of dosage (Pas Dosé) highlights the purity of the Chardonnay, while the savory and slightly mineral notes tell the story of its Dolomite origin. The finish is long, dry, and perfectly balanced.

What to pair Alto Adige Spumante Metodo Classico Blanc de Blancs DOC Pas Dosé 'Praeclarus' 2018 - St.Pauls with

This sparkling wine is extremely versatile at the table thanks to its structure and freshness. Perfect as an aperitif, it also excels when paired with fish dishes and delicate white meats. Recommended pairings include:

• Tuna or salmon tartare with citrus
• Raw seafood and oysters
• Ricotta and spinach ravioli with butter and sage
• Baked trout with aromatic herbs
• Fresh and goat cheeses

Its elegance also makes it an excellent pairing with refined appetizers or to accompany a special dinner from start to finish.

Storage and aging: how to store Alto Adige Spumante Metodo Classico Blanc de Blancs DOC Pas Dosé 'Praeclarus' 2018 - St.Pauls

To best appreciate the characteristics of Praeclarus 2018, it is advisable to store it in a cool, dark place with a constant temperature, ideally between 10°C and 13°C. The bottles should be kept on their sides, so that the cork remains moist. Although the long aging on the lees gives it good longevity, this sparkling wine expresses its vitality and freshness best within 2-3 years after disgorgement. Drinking it young allows you to grasp all the fragrance and gustatory precision that make this South Tyrolean Metodo Classico unique.