Alto Adige is one of the northernmost regions in Italy, with vineyards located at the base of the scenic Dolomites and Italian Alps. This allows for a long ripening season with large diurnal temperature variation providing perfect conditions for wines with wonderful aromatics, great acidity and excellent minerality.
So when Antonio Galloni posted his report on the wines of Alto Adige in May, I looked through it searching for a handful of their whites to add to our inventory with the summer weather approaching. To my surprise what piqued my interest most was a red wine that scored 94 points for under $30 that he called “without question one of the most compelling expressions of this indigenous grape” ~ Nusserhof’s 2007 Lagrein Riserva.
Lagrein is best known as a food-friendly red wine that pairs wonderfully with hearty stews, braises, and aged mountain cheeses. For most it is a winter wine, or at least enjoyed during the cooler months. However, I’m not a patient person when it comes to trying wine and decided to sample a bottle this past weekend. I stopped into my local prime meats store and purchased a sampling of various sausages for the grill. Now I can honestly say I’ve found a new favorite pairing for pork sausage!
The nose was deep with black fruits that evolved into peppery herbs like arugula or torn basil. The palate began with lovely plum and tart black cherries and berries. This then transformed into a finish of bitter herbs like an Amaro digestif. The combination of fruits, acidity and bitterness worked extremely well with the sausages, playing off their various herbs, spices and cheeses. It was a fun meal that I’m sure will be replicated a few times more this summer.
The complexity of this wine is a bargain at $29.99. I strongly suggest picking some up whether you enjoy it with grilled meats this summer or choose a more traditional pairing this fall and winter.