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Pinot Grigio “Polin” 2017

Producer: Pravis
Region: Trentino
Appellation: Trentino-Alto Adige
Country: Italy
Classification: IGP
Wine Type: White
Variety: Pinot Grigio
Bottle Size: 750 ml
Alcohol: 13%
Soil: Calcareous marl
Farming Practices: Organic farming practices
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Cellar Profile


Nestled at the foot of Castel Madruzzo, in the foothills of the Dolomites, sits Agricola Pravis. The winery started in the 1970s, as a partnership between three friends. Now, second-generation vintner sisters, Giulia and Erika Pedrini, have taken over the responsibility of running Pravis. Surrounded by stone outcroppings, their small, ecologically-farmed vineyards are scattered throughout the hills, each planted in calcareous stone, according to unique microclimates, with altitudes ranging from 300 to 600 masl. Working with both international as well as indigenous varieties (such as their noteworthy Nosiola), Pravis uses a minimal intervention philosophy that includes a strict gravity flow process. The cooling breeze that whips through the mountain passes from nearby Lake Garda, called the “Ora” by locals, minimizes the risk of mildew and keeps temperatures moderate during the hottest parts of summer, ensuring that these mineral-driven wines retain plenty of elegance. Interestingly, the winery works with the Freiburg Institute in the development of “zero impact” clone varieties that would leave no ecological footprint and would grow in otherwise inhospitable environments for agriculture.

Region


The region of Trentino-Alto Adige is bordered by East and North Tyrol (Austria) to the north-east and north respectively, by Graubünden (Switzerland) to the north-west and by the Italian regions of Lombardy to the west and Veneto to the south and south-east. It covers 13,607 square kilometres and is extremely mountainous, covering a large part of the Dolomites and the southern Alps. Südtirol (where Cantina Kurtatsch is located) has an area of 7,398 square kilometres, all of it mountainous land and covered by vast forests. The climate here is Mediterranean (hot summer and cold winters) owing to the influence of the many mountain ranges, which stand at over 3,000 metres above sea level, and the wide valleys through which flows (from north to south) the main river, the Adige, and its numerous tributaries.

Vineyard


These vineyards are located in the Polin zone of Calavino, at the entrance of the Cavedine valley in Trentino. At 400 masl, with southwest exposure, the climate here is mild thanks to the proximity to Lake Garda.

Varieties


Pinot Grigio/Gris is thought to be a mutant clone of Pinot Noir and finds its origins in Burgundy, France. There are several styles of Pinot Grigio; Dry & Minerally, Dry & Fruity or Sweet & Fruity. This Dry & Minerally style is most famous from the northern parts of Italy and traverses the foothills of the Alps nearly all the way from Italy through Austria and even Romania, Slovenia and Hungary. The mountains are a powerful force on the agriculture, insuring that grapes keep their high acidity. The wines are most commonly described as dry with relatively high acidity. These characteristics are complemented by aromas of lemon, lime, green apple and blossoms.

Winemaking


Cold maceration overnight yields the beautiful copper hue you see in your glass. Grapes are then gently pressed and fermentation takes place at a controlled temperature. The wine is matured in stainless steel tanks for five months and then bottled. Every phase of the process of transforming grapes into wine at Pravis respects a natural idea of winemaking. The winery uses the least technology possible; once pressed, grapes flow with gravity into fermentation tanks, then into barrels, then finally into containers for pre-bottling.

Tasting Notes 


Pale copper in the glass. On the nose, Polin is rich with peaches and pears and subtle mineral hints; these sensations seamlessly carry over to the palate. Fresh acidity yields to ginger and cider mid-palate. The finish is clean with a refreshing, cleansing hint of bitter almond.