From: Alto Adige, Italy
Variety: 100% Ruländer (Pinot Grigio)
Winemaker Notes: Pale straw yellow in color with an attractive aroma of citrus fruits, peach and honeydew melon; medium rich, fruity and direct on the palate with orchard fruit flavors and tangy acidity on the finish.
Tasting Notes: On the nose, the wine exhibits aromas of white orchard fruit, such as ripe pear and honeydew melon, alongside notes of Alpine herbs and spring blossoms. These aromas are complemented by a subtle hint of banana, which adds a touch of tropical sweetness to the bouquet. On the palate, the wine is juicy and generous, with ripe melon fruit that is so perfectly ripe that it almost seems as if the Japanese had a hand in its creation. Despite its generous fruit profile, the wine maintains a moderate alcohol level of just 13%. The acidity is entirely subliminal, yet it drives a long and very clean finish that leaves a lasting impression on the palate. As the wine develops, it reveals a hint of hazelnut that adds an earthy complexity to the overall flavor profile. The rounded, medium-bodied palate offers a perfect balance of fruit, acidity, and minerality that make it an ideal pairing for a wide range of dishes, from seafood to light pasta dishes and grilled vegetables.
Pairings: The Abbazia di Novacella Pinot Grigio 2021 is a versatile wine that pairs well with many different foods. Its bright acidity and crisp minerality make it an ideal match for seafood dishes, such as grilled shrimp or baked cod. It also pairs well with salads, light pasta dishes, and grilled vegetables. The wine can also be enjoyed on its own as an aperitif.
Here are some general, regional, and vegetarian pairing suggestions to help you fully enjoy this wine. Or, if you want to skip ahead to the recipe, check out Melissa Clark’s Smoked Salmon, Fennel and Herbed Marscarpone Tart.
General Pairings:
Seafood: The fresh, crisp acidity of the wine is a perfect match for seafood dishes, such as grilled shrimp, oysters, or ceviche.
Light Pasta Dishes: The wine's medium-bodied palate and subtle hazelnut notes make it a great match for light pasta dishes, such as linguine with clams or spaghetti with lemon and garlic.
Salads: The wine's acidity and fruit profile make it a great match for salads, such as arugula with goat cheese and roasted beets, or a classic Caesar salad.
Asian-inspired dishes, such as sushi, sashimi, or spring rolls.
Regional Pairings:
The Abbazia di Novacella winery is located in the Alto Adige region of northern Italy, so here are some regional dishes that pair well with the Pinot Grigio:
South Tyrolean speck and cheese platter, featuring local cured meats and cheeses.
Knödel, which are traditional dumplings made with bread, speck, and cheese.
Grilled white asparagus, a local specialty that pairs perfectly with the wine's acidity.
Risotto with peas and bacon, a classic Northern Italian dish that pairs well with the wine's fruity notes.
Alpine Cuisine: The wine's origin in the Alto Adige region of the Italian Alps makes it a great match for Alpine cuisine, such as fondue or raclette cheese, smoked salmon, or roasted root vegetables.
Vegetarian Pairings:
Grilled Vegetables: The wine's acidity and fruit profile make it a great match for grilled vegetables, such as eggplant, zucchini, and bell peppers.
Spring Vegetables: The wine's notes of spring blossoms and Alpine herbs make it a great match for dishes featuring fresh spring vegetables, such as asparagus risotto, pea and mint soup, or artichoke and fava bean salad.
Vegetarian Pizza: The wine's medium body and fruit profile make it a great match for vegetarian pizza, such as margherita or mushroom and truffle oil pizza.
Critical Acclaim:
JS 92 James Suckling
The melon fruit is so ripe that it’s hard to believe they didn’t have help from the Japanese with this! Juicy and generous, in spite of just 13% alcohol (moderate in this context), the acidity entirely subliminal, but driving the long, very clean finish.
WE 90 Wine Enthusiast
White orchard fruit, Alpine herb and spring blossom aromas waft out of the glass along with a hint of banana. The rounded, medium-bodied palate offers honeydew melon and ripe pear before closing on a hint of hazelnut.
About. Located in the sleepy little burg of Novacella, in the Isarco River Valley, Abbazia was founded in 1142 by the Augustinian Order of Canons Regular. The Augustians are not monks in the sense that you may be familiar with: they have taken vows of poverty, chastity and obedience to their superiors; but they also work to support themselves as a part of their community. To this end, the Abbey not only grows grapes for winemaking, but also farms apples and vegetables, and there is a small school devoted primarily to studies of viticulture. The abbey’s reputation as a winery is stellar and international. In 2009, Italy’s influential Gambero Rosso named Celestino Lucin, the abbey’s enologist, Winemaker of the Year.
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