Produce of 100% Chardonnay from deep sandy soils on gravelly deposits in the otherworldly gorgeous Südtirol-Alto Adige of northeastern Italia. Temperature‑controlled (read cool) fermentation in stainless steel tanks (read unoaked), the new wine subsequently matures for several months on the fine lees. The result is a brilliant, shimmering lemon yellow/gold with glints of green in color; ultra‑fresh aromas suggestive of vines in flower, flesh and skin of fresh green apple, melon and mango; supple and nicely rounded on the tongue with just a hint of citrus and saline mineral tang; both satisfying and refreshing, and all for a price so gulpably easy on the pocketbook.

Pinot Bianco (Pinot Blanc) is on the rise in the Alto Adige. And Hofstätter's 2023 vintage normale is a brilliant example. Produce of 100% Pinot Blanc from vines planted to light marl soils; straw yellow in color with alluringly fresh aromas of suggestive of apple, peach and fresh melon atop a base of crushed stone and just a hint of petrichor; tantalizingly crisp and vivid on the tongue, enticing, flavorful, causing some serious salivation and just begging for a spread of antipasti and or a nice fresh piece of pan‑seared white fish with a touch of butter and fresh green herb.

From 100% Pinot Grigio fruit grown in the Bressanone valley basin at elevations of 600 meters to 900 meyers, well on your way into the Alps from Bolzano and what is one of the loveliest vineyard situations one might imagine (there is even a ski area above the town of Bressanone); pale yellow/gold with glints of green in color; brisk, mountain fresh aromatics suggest taut cool of the morning grapes, pine, mint, cool melon, orchard fruits, hazelnut (knowing where this wine is grown really just stirs the imagination); crisp, vibrant and fresh on the tongue yet ample in body, supple and satisfying with a lovely, nervy Alpine intensity of flavor that lasts.

The Südtirol Alto Adige enjoys a continental climate protected from the Atlantic and cold northern frontal weather by the Alps and benefits from access to the Mediterranean climate to the south via the Adriatic Sea. Add lots and lots of sunlight and brilliant winegrowing soils ed ecco qua. Brilliant bright yellow/gold in color with ripe, perfumed aromas suggestive of fresh cool orchard fruits like crisp apple, peach, mirabelle plum, then citrus and stone (of course, it's really just the aroma of giddily happy grapes from a wonderful grapegrowing climate and a nice scenery, too); at once caressing and refreshing on the tongue, ample in weight and yet, somehow, still light on its feet; then, mineral, fresh and mouthwatering on the finish.

From the Terra Alpina, this special land of contrasts in northern Italia between the Alps and the Adriatic Sea. Limpid pale yellow/gold in color with Alpine fresh aromas suggesting brisk pure clean mountain air, crisp apple (the Südtirol is the largest closed apple‑producing region in the EU according to wikipedia), straw, fiori bianchi and underneath it all, the suggestion of rain‑moistened dolomitic limestone; easy breezy on the tongue, with lovely interplay between ripe fruit and gentle fresh acidity, this is a quaff among quaffs, for sure; pure, flavorful, fresh and clean on the finish as the Alpine summer days are long.

Produce of 100% Pinot Grigio fruit from vineyards planted to mostly Dolomitic limestone together with volcanic soils from selected vineyard sites of in Trentino and the Alto Adige, where cool Alpine and warm Mediterranean influences meet; pristine vivid platinum/yellow in color with aromas redolent of the fresh mountain air, cool green/gris-skinned berries, along with suggestion of spiced apple, apricot and something like honey in the comb; ample on the palate with a gentle viscosity and the push/pull of citrus peel and pith and grape and an overarching Alpine refreshingness.

We eagerly bring in every bottle of the minuscule amount of Pinot Nero we’re offered from Carlotto, and it’s always one of the dreamiest versions of the variety we import — ethereal and bright, with notes of orange peel and pink peppercorn. Pinot Nero is transformed into a weightless and perfumed rosso in the hands of Michela Carlotto and her father, Ferruccio. I open Filari di Mazzon to enchant guests who have a palate for elegant wines. ‑ Jane Augustine, Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant, November, 2024

Pinot Noir, Pinot Nero or, should you prefer, Südtiroler Blauburgunder (a pinot by any other name) ... From the Alto Adige, Pinot Noir can be a light and delicate thing of beauty indeed. Subtle, alluring fragrance of mountain herb, piquant alpine berries and cherry with a hint of wood smoke in the chill mountain air; delicate and supple on the tongue, revealing a silken texture and mouthwatering flavors that ever so gently refresh and reprise those light mountain-airy aromas.

Given the changing climate and the generally warming weather in northern Europe, Pinot Noir is becoming ever more important from what were once considered more marginal climes for the grape/wine (the Alto Adige, Alsace and Germany come immediately to mind); lovely translucent light ruby/cherry skin red in color; with aromas subtly suggestive of wild strawberry, cherry pit, the scent of baking spice and dried orange peel; at once, supple, crisp and gently bracing onto the tongue with bright, fresh mouthwatering acidity that deftly carries delicate flavors fresh to the finish. And, this is one of Lucinda's absolute faves!