INSIDER'S PICK:2022 CANTINA TERLANO MULLER THURGAU ALTO ADIGE 'TRADITION'-$24.992023 CANTINA TERLANO PINOT GRIGION ALTO ADIGE 'TRADITION'-$24.99

A delicious double shot of wines from varieties many may not think can make (much less should make) high quality wines. The Alto Adige region of Italy is vastly underrated for the standout quality of their wines, and we do our very best trying to tell as many folks as possible. HIgh in the Dolomite Mountains and at the foot of the Austrian Alps, the region has more parallels to Germanic or Austrian wines than the rest of Veneto. Even the names of people and places here seem to share more of a Germanic root than Italian. The wines here, especially the white wines, are imbued with cool mountain clarity and bright acidity you just won't find in the warmer flatlands. The best producers, of which the Cantina Terlano co-operative is definitely one, can also pull out great intensity that elevates everything they work with. Neither Muller Thurgau or Pinot Grigio are expected to make world class wines, but these definitely fit that moniker. On the Muller Thurgau, usually a very quiet and minimalist variety, there's lots of cool lime and flint on the nose that builds to pear and white peach over time, and a very nervy round palate with lots of mouth-watering acidity and cool zesty citrus. The Pinot Grigio is a skosh warmer and juicier on the nose, and not quite as much penetrating minerality on the palate, but there is no doubt about the common Alpine heritage of these two wines. Refreshing and incredibly food friendly, splendid with a healthy chill on them which will serve well for the hot days and weeks to come.  ​

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