VINEYARD | Located in Alto Adige, in the mid Adige valley, with vines planted on an old glacier between walls of red porphyry rocks. To the north, an Alpine ridge ensures a cool breeze tempered by the mild air of the Po river valley, for an unusually Mediterranean microclimate considering the altitude. The Rarity project was born thanks to Sebastian Stocker, former oenologist of the winery, who decided to let the wines mature longer on fine lees. The best vintages chosen for the Rarities are aged initially in oak barrels for a year, after which they are transferred into small 2,500-litre steel barrels, where they remain for 10 to 30 years. They then refine with a further rest in the bottle between 4-5 years. Currently 16 vintages are being aged in steel barrels with this method, dating back to 1979. The vines include Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Terlaner. Each year, 3,330 bottles of rare wines are made available.
PERSON | The Terlano cooperative is protagonist of an area that extends between the municipality from which it takes its name and Bolzano, with vineyards distributed both on the eastern side of the valley, where the soils are mainly porphyry, and on the southern side which is characterised by a predominance of limestone soils. In the cellar Rudi Kofler and his staff carefully and sensitively manage the grapes ripened on such different locations, giving life to a range of wines that faithfully reflects the places of origin and knows how to face the test of time with grace.
WINE | The vintage in the area was anything but regular, with violent thunderstorms in June and late grape ripening. But in the glass we have a white that does not show its age in the slightest. The aromas are reminiscent of lemon peel and the fragrance of green tea, with an elegant background of white flowers. The mouth is sinuous, with enveloping mouthfeel, and peach and mint tones that chase each other in an excellent aromatic definition and freshness. The finish is a harmonious embroidery, between almond tones and mountain herbs. The wine still has a lot, a whole lot of life ahead of it.
