Moscato Giallo DOC 2023

Wine description for Moscato Giallo DOC 2023 from Manincor

On the steep slopes of South Tyrol, where Alpine freshness meets Mediterranean warmth, the Manincor winery cultivates one of the region's most fascinating indigenous grape varieties. Its Moscato Giallo - or Goldmuskateller, as the locals call it - epitomises the subtle elegance that can only come from this unique cultural landscape between the Dolomites and Lake Garda.

Visual impression

In the glass, the wine presents itself in a restrained pale yellow colour with silvery shimmering reflections on the rim - like the first sunlight that touches the mountain peaks of South Tyrol on a clear spring morning.

Nose

This Moscato Giallo initially reveals itself with remarkable restraint - almost like a shy confession. The five-month maturation on the fine lees gives it a complex base, over which the characteristic flavour profile of the golden muscat slowly, but with increasing determination, unfolds. Not the exuberant perfumery of some muscatel wines, but a precise pattern of fine nutmeg notes reminiscent of Mace (mace) and freshly cracked nutshells. With a little contact with the air, hints of freshly pressed grapes and crunchy green cider pears are added, while floral elements of white flowers float in the top notes - an olfactory echo of the alpine meadows that surround the vineyards.

Palate

On the palate, the wine displays a crystalline clarity reminiscent of the glacial water that once formed these moraine soils. The flavours remain disciplined and precise - floral and fragrant with a subtle spiciness that keeps the wine from being trivial. The structure is impressively clear, with a fine but noticeable acidity that gives the wine backbone and length. The finish is fruity and fragrant, reminiscent of sun-ripened South Tyrolean apricots, without losing its Alpine freshness. With its 12.5% alcohol and minimal residual sweetness, this wine embodies the modern interpretation of a traditional grape variety - precisely vinified to present terroir and varietal character in perfect balance.

General information

The grapes for this remarkable wine come mainly from the Mareit (Leiten) vineyard at 350 metres above sea level - a steep, south-facing slope with warm gravel soils and moraine deposits, supplemented by plots from the Vogelleiten and Panholzer vineyards with their loamy limestone gravel soils. The modest yield of just 55 hectolitres per hectare reflects the winery's commitment to quality.

After selective manual harvesting at the end of September, the grapes were destemmed and macerated in the press for twelve hours - a deliberate step to extract the subtle flavours and structural elements from the skins. The subsequent fermentation took place mostly spontaneously with the grapes' own yeasts in a combination of wooden barrels and steel tanks - an expression of the artisanal approach cultivated at Manincor.

Food pairing suggestions

This Goldmuskateller finds its ideal accompaniment in the alpine cuisine of South Tyrol. It is particularly harmonious with Bacon dumplings with sage butter or Smoked trout with horseradish. Also to Asian-inspired dishes with ginger and lemongrass it forms a fascinating counterpoint. On warm summer evenings, it shines as a soloist on the terrace or as an accompaniment to a Tyrolean cheese plate with pear mustard.