Azienda Agricola Baron Widmann - Vernatsch 2024

Baron Widmann is a small, family-owned estate in the village of Kurtatsch (Cortaccia) in Alto Adige, where the Widmann family has been producing estate-bottled wines since 1824. The 15-hectare property stretches from 220 to 600 meters above sea level across steep, sun-drenched slopes with a remarkable diversity of soils, allowing each grape variety to be matched to its ideal site. While most vineyards have been converted to Guyot training, the estate continues to cultivate Vernatsch on the traditional pergola system, preserving the variety's distinctive elegance and regional identity.

The 2024 Vernatsch comes from the historic Nockerisch vineyard, where nearly 50-year-old vines grow in calcareous gravel soils with loamy sand. Fermented in stainless steel before undergoing malolactic fermentation and aging in large neutral oak casks, the wine is a classic expression of Alto Adige's most traditional red grape — light on its feet, wonderfully nuanced, and unmistakably authentic.

Brilliant pale ruby in color, Widmann's Vernatsch opens with fragrant aromas of wild strawberry, red cherry, raspberry, crushed rose petals and a subtle hint of sweet almond and alpine herbs. The palate is silky and vibrant, offering fresh red berry fruit wrapped around lively acidity and delicate tannins. Gentle spice and a faint mineral note add complexity without sacrificing the wine's effortless drinkability. The finish is clean, savory and mouthwatering, inviting another sip almost immediately. This is a beautifully balanced Vernatsch that showcases finesse, freshness and remarkable transparency rather than power. Enjoy on its own with a slight chill or pair with cured meats, pancetta and pea risotto or herb-roasted pork loin.