Schiava & Lagrein, Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy

A crispy, volcanic and positively perky Northern Italian pet-nat for late-summer and autumnal sipping. Third generation winemaker Martin Gojer took over the Trentino-Alto-Adige family estate in 2008 with partner Marion Untersulzner. A small, family operation, their 3.5 hectare property on the sharp slopes above Bolzano, north-east Italy remains uncertified, but works steadfastly according to the principles of biodynamics. ‘Rosso Leggero’ is composed of 43 year-old lifted, pinot noir-esque schiava (90%) and dark, richly berried lagrein (10%) that was organically grown on sandy-clay soils of volcanic origin. #tastethelava The grapes see a 24-hour maceration, then four days of fermentation on the skins of their ‘Caroline’ cuvée (a blend of sauvignon blanc, chardonnay, viognier and manzoni bianco) to pick up aromatics and structure before six months in both botti (large wood barrels) and concrete tanks. Flower petal cotton candy, pepper cured meat, freeze-dried raspberry, vegetable drawer, strawberry sucker, stony minerality, soil & crunchy dried herbs. Enjoy lightly chilled, while reading Autobiography of Red by Anne Carson.