Sophie DOC 2022

The Sophie is a cuvée of 92% Chardonnay with 4% each of Viognier and Sauvignon blanc. Half of the grapes come from the Lieben Aich vineyard in Terlan and half from the Mazzon vineyard in Kaltern. Lieben Aich is a warm, west-facing slope at 300 metres above sea level. Chardonnay and Sauvignon are grown there on loamy sandy soil interspersed with weathered porphyry rock. Chardonnay and Viognier on Mazzon form the steepest vineyard in Manincor with a gradient of up to 100 %. Exposed to the south-west at 350-400 metres with calcareous, clayey soil. The grapes were harvested by hand at the beginning of September and left in the press for four hours until maceration to extract flavour and structure. Fermentation took place spontaneously with the grapes' own yeasts in wooden containers of different sizes. The Sophie was matured for nine months on the fine lees.

Light straw yellow with green reflections.

Slightly roasty-toasty on the nose, Sophie tells of the ageing process, of roasted hazelnuts and of Chardonnay in South Tyrol in general. With a very restrained character, Sophie is a benchmark for the grape variety in the region. Some pomaceous fruit, quince in brown butter and a peach stone outline the status quo, which experience has shown will become even more expressive as the wine matures. 

Creamy with a delicate melt, decided freshness and fine extract sweetness, the Sophie is generous and approachable on the palate. The juicy fruit is beautifully framed by the wood ageing, with a distinctively salty character fuelling the nutty aromas. Experience has shown that the wine needs a carafe in its youth to reach its full potential, and the large, expensive glasses play their part in this.