It’s amazing how fast the years go by and as I reflect on the anniversary of Vino Travels this month as it has been 12 years since I started my blogging and wine journey. I’ve come a long way and still have a long way to go, but that’s why they call it a journey right?!
There is no better way to celebrate my blogiversary than with our Italian Food, Wine & Travel group as we celebrate alpine red and white wines of Italy this month. It’s been an educational experience learning and writing alongside many of the writers of this group throughout these 12 years. What’s even better is that the wines that I'm sharing today from Kellerei Bozen were enjoyed amongst many of the members of this wine group since one of the writers, Susannah of Vigneto Communications, invited us to a virtual tasting with the Winery Director, Matthias Messner, to learn all about Kellerei Bozen.
Matthias Messner - copyright of Kellerei Bozen
The Alto Adige wine region
Kellerei Bozen is situated in the region of Alto Adige, also known as Sudtirol, that is situated in northern Italy on the border of Austria and Switzerland receiving the climatic influences of both the Mediterranean Sea and the Alps with the Dolomites to the north. I love the dramatic landscape that surrounds you when you visit this region. Plus, there is an abundance of sunshine with over 300 days of sun gracing the vineyards along with great ventilation and breezes that pass through.
Cooperatives are very popular in Alto Adige. Matthias shared that there are 12 coops within the region making up 75% of the regions production, with Kellerei Bozen respected within the top 3 of the coops. The cooperative allows the winery to support local wine growers while also producing high quality wines. Their aim is to produce elegant and mineral driven wines that showcase their terroir.
All About Kellerei Bozen
The beginnings of what became Kellerei Bozen initially began back in 1908 when 30 vine growers from the town of Gries banded together to produce wine. In 1930 18 growers from Santa Maddalena area also started a coop during a very challenging economic time. During World War II their winery had been hit with a bomb. They decided to band together with the vine growers from Gries. It wasn’t until 2001 when they officially merged under Cantina Bozen.
Today Kellerei Bozen consists of 224 growers across 340 hectares of vineyards with their wine production providing equal red and white wines. Many of the vineyards are located on hillsides (86%) with the rest on the plains. This is consistent with much of the Alto Adige vineyards as they are very slope driven and due to this require hand harvesting of the grapes.
The winery has a strong focus on sustainability utilizing several methods including solar panels for their power, use of biodegradable materials, organic fertilizers and green manuring to name a few. A new winery was built in 2008 that allows gravitational force to take place throughout its 5 levels during the wine production avoiding the use of additional machinery.
Kellerei Bozen winery - copyright of Kellerei Bozen
The Wines
I loved one of the quotes I came across in my research that Kellerei produces “Mediterranean red wines in the land of contrasts”. With such cultural influences of this region and a heavier of presence of white wines as well this really stood out to me.
I decided to focus today on their Lagrein and will share the other 2 I tasted for a future pairing. Lagrein is a cross between the Teroldego grape and Schiava grape. The area of Gries is well known for producing quality Lagrein.
The 2022 Kellerei Bozen “Perl” Lagrein Alto Adige DOC spends time maturing in large oak barrels plus additional time in the bottle and is released 1 year after the harvest. This wine was deeply ruby colored with purple hues. On the nose are intense, jammy dark fruits of plum, black cherry and blackberries with a hint of spice. It is medium to fuller bodied on the palate with concentrated black fruits showing finishing with silky tannins. ABV 13.5%, SRP $28
The 2020 Kellerei Bozen “Taber” Lagrein Riserva Alto Adige DOC is made from low yields on 80 year old vines in Gries. It’s aged for 1 year in French barrique and is a wine that they recommend that will improve with 10-15 years of aging. According to their site, it’s the most awarded wine from the Alto Adige region.
The Taber has the similar color and intensity in comparison to the Perl. A nice blend of both black and red fruits on the nose and palate with this wine. Nice layers and complexity on the palate with notes of chocolate, cassis, raspberry with great balance of acidity, fruit and tannins. My pick of the two! ABV 14%, SRP $80
Pairing with Lagrein
During our virtual tasting it was suggested to pair the Taber Lagrein with deer, steak or tortelloni with sausage. Since my boys are big fans of sausage, and I have to appease many different palates in this house, I decided to go with a one pot sausage dish. I browned some chicken sausage in a saute pan and then added some garlic, mushrooms, diced tomatoes, 1 cup of farro and 2 cups of chicken broth and simmered the ingredients for about 25 minutes. Upon serving I added some additional sauteed spinach I had prepared on the side along with some grated pecorino on top.
The sausage and farro dish was not only a hit, and one I’ll be making again, but paired really well with both Lagrein wines. Simplicity in preparation of the dish with a blend of the complexity of flavors in the sausage and wine will please your palate and soul.
one pot sausage, mushroom and farro dish
Follow along with the rest of the Italian food and wine writers as they take you through an array of Italian alpine red and white wines with some suggested pairings.
Alto Adige Red Wines Paired with Sierra Nevada Adventures and Cabin-Cooked Meals by Culinary Cam (you're here)
Alto Adige Wine Pairings by Cooking Chat
Bolzano and the Alto Adige Wines of Kellerei Bozen by Crushed Grape Chronicles
From a Country of Contrasts: Pinot Noir, Schiava, Lagrein at Alpine Alto Adige's Cantina di Bolzano by Wine Predator…Gwendolyn Alley
From the Dolomites to Your Glass: Tasting 4 Alpine Reds and a Refreshing Kretzer by ENOFYLZ Wine Blog
Head northeast for juicy Italian reds by My Full Wine Glass
Italian Wines at Altitude by Avvinare
Two Italian Dinners, Two Wines from the Italian Alps, and a Book Review by A Day in the Life on the Farm
Uncorking the Italian Alps: A Journey Through Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio and Exquisite Alp Whites by Our Good Life
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