Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/780573
{ SOMMjournal.com } 93 Italy Region: Alto Adige/Südtirol Wine: Kettmeir 2014 Pinot Bianco PHOTO: MICHAEL MORSE PHOTO: ALEXANDER RUBIN Sporting a very un-Italian name, Kettmeir hails from the German-speaking region in Italy's northeast, close to the Austrian border. Influenced by the Alps, Alto Adige (or Südtirol in German) is an awe-inspiring, almost unlivable land of valleys and fragmented, mountainous soils where only two percent of the land is populated. Kettmeir Pinot Bianco is made from a non- aromatic grape that is an ancient mutation from the Pinot Noir family. "This variety has developed elegance and finesse," asserts Vittorio Marzotto, of importer Santa Margherita USA. Grown at 1,600 feet above sea level in red, rocky, porous soil, nature permits the late-ripening Kettmeir white to offer a floral perfume that adjusts with a crisp, apple-slice minerality on the palate. Vittorio Marzotto, Director of Business Development for Santa Margherita USA. PHOTO: MICHAEL MORSE In 2016 Chianti celebrated 300 years of history; Cosimo III, Grand Duke of Tuscany, officially delimited the production zone of Chianti wine in 1716. The adjective "Classico" was added in 1932, and in 1984 the Chianti Classico zone obtained DOCG status, becoming an independent DOCG with separate standards in 1996. Lamole di Lamole Chianti Classico Riserva is made from grapes grown at higher elevations, where two soil layers are found: poor organic matter on top and rich minerals on the bottom. "The hand of our winemaker is important here," notes Vittorio Marzotto, Director of Business Development for Santa Margherita USA, which also imports this wine. "Although the vines receive plenty of sunshine to bring out the ripeness of our fruit, we have implemented techniques in the cellar which create softer tannins and enrich the color and flavor of the thin-skinned Sangiovese grape." Region: Chianti Classico, Tuscany Wine: Lamole di Lamole 2011 Chianti Classico Riserva { sommcon recap }