Nals Margreid

It's always nice to get a wine tip from someone further up the distribution chain.  That tip is usually more informed and objective and leads to some positive retail outcomes.  This time we learned that "for the first time ever the Nals Margreid Italian wines were now available in this country," to which we more or less shrugged our shoulders.  Who the hell is Nals Margreid anyway?  Here's what we learned.

Nals Margreid is a cooperative venture of up to 140 grape growers in Alto Adige in the northeast corner of Italy.  That region produces some of the country's finest white wines.  Alto Adige vineyards are typically 300-400 meters above sea level with a southeastern exposure and sheltered to the north by the Alps.  The climate is Mediterranean; the soils are rocky with evidence of ancient alluvial fans.

My supplier is usually reliable so I turned him loose and told him to send me a case of what he thought was the best Nals Margreid wine.  He sent me the Sauvignon Blanc.  It is a full-bodied white with straw yellow color with greenish hues.  The nose is complex with aromatic herbs, citrus, berry and lychee nuts.  The wine is crisp and tangy with grapefruit, gooseberry, cantaloup and sage.  The memorable finish is long and balanced.

As good as it sounds the Nals Margreid Sauvignon Blanc in the store is from their entry level tier.  It is 100% Sauv Blanc, hand harvested from the Alto Adige DOC, aged on the lees for five months in stainless steel, all of which accounts for its full-bodied racy character.  

Gambero Rosso is the bible of Italian wines.  They say Nals Margreid practices "severe selection" in grape harvesting, which must indicate quality.  Moreover the winemaker is a young rising star in the business and blends from many of their select vineyards.  Since this one is so fine we can only imagine how fine their higher tier wines are.

Try this one with spicy (perhaps Asian) white meats and seafood.