Tramin, Italy

In recent years international markets and opinion leaders have focused on Alto Adige pemium wines.

The region's more innovative wine producers responded, triggering off a major quality revolution and one of its main protagonists has turned out to be Elena Walch, a former architect who became a wine producer in 1985 after marrying into one of the oldest established wine families at Tramin.

Tramin and Kaltern (Caldaro) are Alto Adige's best-known wine villages.

Elena Walch took over two magnificent estates: Castel Ringberg overlooking the Lake of Kalteren and Kastelaz, a steep, south-facing hillside dotted with cypress trees which towers above the village centre of Tramin. Not surprisingly, the latter is highly regarded for its white wine made from the Gew|rztraminer grape which took its name from the village Tramin.

Since the Roman era Alto Adige has been one of Europe's most prosperous regions and even before that time it was highly regarded for its wines. The region lies on the southern slopes of the Alps, where during the ripening period the central valleys become filled with warm, Mediterranean air and where most mountains and hillsides are south-facing.

Elena Walch set about transforming the vineyards along quality lines, replanting them with low-yielding but high quality clones of both international and local grape varieties, for the most part spur pruning the vines using the guyot training system rather than the traditional pergola. In this way vines can be planted at a greater density than before, though each yields a much smaller quantity than in the past. She has recently acquired additional small vineyards around Tramin and Kaltern bringing the total to 30 hectares (67 acres).

The wines reflect her professional approach, though also the superb climatic conditions in the southern part of Alto Adige, where during the vegetation season the days are warm and sunny with cool nights and plenty of breezes to dry the grapes and keep the vineyards cool during hot spells. The whites are classically "old world" in style with accentuated ripe fruit and primary aromas, firm acidity and elegance, while the Cabernets, Merlots and Lagreins are concentrated and rich without any hint of the aggressive, dry tannins which spoil the enjoyment of so many classic Italian reds. The Elena Walch range compromises fruity and elegant red and white wines with strong personality, all of which are made from single grape varieties, while the premium Elena Walch wines bear the vineyard names "Castel Ringberg" and "Kastelaz" on the labels. The Riserva wines and Chardonnay are matured in barrique. Otherwise products in the premium range contain only a small proportion of barrique aged wine, in most cases from 10 up to 20% percent.

Elena Walch 2008 Lagrein
Alto Adige DOC, Italy

This wine is 100% Lagrein, the finest red autochthonous grape, fruity with formidable structure.  It is a dark ruby color, almost black.  The nose has delicate scents of violets, with an intense aroma of black woodland berry fruits.  It is rich and full with supple sweet tannins.  Serve it with full-flavoured, savoury dishes such as venison, game, red meats and mature cheeses.

This wine is 100% Pinot Bianco, an elegant fruit, sprightly, firm and attractive - a classic Alto Adige specialty.  The color is straw yellow with hints of green.  The nose is enticingly fresh and fragrant with fruity aromas reminiscent of ripe apple with a hint of walnut.  On the palate it is harmonious with firm acidity, elegant and compact on the finish.  One of the most typical South Tyrolean/Alto Adige white wines bursting with character.  Serve it lightly chilled.  This is an extremely versatile wine, delicious as an aperitif as well as an accompaniment for fish and poultry dishes.

Established in 1878 by Count Emanuele Alberto di Mirafiori on the hunting grounds of his father Vittorio Emanuele II, the first king of Italy, Fontanafredda is one of the oldest Barolo estates. The king bought the estate in 1858 and the Villa Reale where he resided, still stands today. Although the wine produced at Fontanafredda was officially called Barolo as early as the 1930s, the Barolo DOC was not created until 1966. Fontanafredda produced the first-ever single-vineyard Barolo from the growing site at La Rosa in 1967. Oenologist Danilo Drocco's masterful management of the interplay between the cellar techniques and topography, climate, and soil conditions of specific vineyards on the estate has resulted in unprecedented quality. At the cornerstone of Fontanafredda's prestigious history and its promising future, is the dedication to preserving the character and personality of the territory.

The particular quality produced by the vineyards in Serralunga d'Alba is based on natural factors (the properties in the soil, the exposure to the sun, the microclimate) and has been consolidated by the work of generations of vine-growers, a tradition which is confirmed by both old documents and recent scientific research. Many of the famous great Barolo crus come from Serralunga: names which are well-known by wine-lovers and connoisseurs alike; Barolos packed with alcohol, with great structures, full-bodied and robust enough to withstand the passing of time. Garnet-red with ruby highlights that take on a slightly orange tone over time, it has a clear-cut, intense nose with overtones of vanilla, spices, withered roses and underbrush; its taste is dry, but soft, full-bodied, velvety and well-balanced, and is very long-lasting.

This Barolo is named after the village where the vineyards are located.  The wine is 100% Nebbiolo.  It is Garnet-red with ruby highlights that take on a slightly orange tone over time, it has a clear-cut, intense nose with overtones of vanilla, spices, withered roses and underbrush; its taste is dry, but soft, full-bodied, velvety and well balanced, and is very long-lasting.  The wine will reach its peak 6-8 years after the harvest.  Serve it with big red meat dishes and medium or mature cheeses, it can also make for pleasant after-dinner company.  (89 Points WS 12/08, 89 Points WE 04/09)

Len Parris' vision for Chandler Reach Vineyards and Estate Winery began during a vacation with his Wife and friends to Tuscany in 1996. Len has a construction background dating back to the 1970's. Currently he owns and operates a coffee business in the Seattle area.  But from that Tuscan vacation, Len developed a plan to bring that wine "romance" to Washington State and to produce great Tuscan style wines

Graced with excellent terroir, Chandler Reach Vineyards produces superior fruit. Growing Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Syrah and Sangiovese, they focus on Italian-style wines from Tuscan origins.  Though know for their Tuscan style reds, recently they have added Viognier and Chardonnay wines to their production though producing only about 125 cases of each.

Here is what Wine Enthusiast recently had to say about the 2004 Parris Estate Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon.  "The blend includes 3% Cab Franc; which added some aromatics. Normally Chandler Reach wines are pure varietals; in this instance the Franc rounded out the midpalate and ramped up the scents. There's a firm streak of mineral, iron and anise. With cheese and smoked meats, sweetness emerges." (92 Points WE 12/08)