2020 Pinot Grigio Cru Punggl

For those in the know, the truly best Pinot Grigio’s hail from the granite, slate, limestone and gneiss valleys of the Alto Adige in northern Italy – and the collective Nals Margreid makes this lovely little number – Punggl. Punggl. Go on - say it aloud!

Just 80m above sea level but surrounded by higher slopes, Punggl is sustained by warm winds from the alluvial plains and cooler night-time air off the mountains. The vines were planted around 80 years ago, and this gives an incredible depth - ripe orchard fruits and spring flowers. The savory, rounded palate packs loads of creamy white peach, apple and a hint of wet stone alongside tangy acidity.

Nals Margreid are the brainchild of the very young kellermeister Harald Schraffl. A cooperative of about 100 small growers original formed in 1985 by the merging of The Cellars Nalles (established in 1932) and Magre-Niclara (1954). The growers of Nals Margreid use natural methods wherever possible. Parasites and diseases are avoided through ecological means. Vines are trained using the classic pergola trellis, or by using the more modern, lower-yielding Guyot method.

Punggl is a beautiful wine that will happily last in the bottle for up to three years. Drinking beautifully by itself or even accompanied with quite robust fish dishes, it absolutely sings.