This month, we travel to the Alto Adige, in the far northeast corner of Italy, where Thurnhof winemaker Andreas Berger makes small lots of typical Alto Adige** wine.  This month's allocation is for a bottle each of a Lagrein and Goldmuskateller.

Berger teaches viticulture at the local enology school, and makes wine in his spare time. He grows his Goldmuskateller (Yellow Muscat) and Lagrein on the slopes of the hill behind his house, in the outskirts of Bolzano, and vinifies them in his cellar.

2006 Thurnhof Goldmuskateller  ***  Dry muscats (and these wines are bone-dry, with very fresh acidity) make wonderful aperitifs, and are also very good with cured or smoked meats such as the local smoky Speck ham, occasionally available here in the US.  This is a typical example of the grape, showing huge exuberant aromas of peaches, flowers, and muscat spice. It is bone-dry on the palate, very flavorful and crisp. Try this wine as an aperitif; both wine geeks and beginners alike will love it.

2006Thurnhof  Lagrein 'Merlau' No,  not Merlot, this is a much more interesting wine.  'Merlau' is the name of the area of the vineyard where this wonderful unoaked Lagrein is grown. Lagrein is a variety said to be indigenous to the Alto Adige. Andreas' Lagrein 'Merlau' is fairly dark red-purple in color with aromas and flavors of blackberries, black plums and tealeaf. It is medium-weight and savory on the palate. Drink this wine with grilled meats, stews, sausages.

**as its called by the Italian government, but the locals call their home the Südtirol. The Südtirol was part of Austria prior to World War I, and you're more likely to hear German spoken than Italian.

***aka Moscato Giallo or Yellow Muscat

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