April 2024 - a Castel story by Ivana Capraro
Salis 2019 - Oberstein Winery
Every month we present a wine from our cellar recommended by our sommelier Ivana Capraro for that month.
April 2024
A harbinger of spring on the plate needs a beautiful companion in the glass
Spring is always a special time of year for me. Firstly, because the Castel is finally open again after the long winter break and, above all, because everything blooms and smells so splendid.
In culinary terms, the season is characterised by the local white asparagus. Consequently, I looked for a suitable accompaniment for this vegetable, which is not only popular with guests, and found it in the village of Tscherms, south of Meran.
The soils with a high granite content give the wines a pronounced minerality. The altitude and orientation favour a high temperature difference between day and night. These basic factors support the winemaker's credo "Quality is born in the vineyard" with the aim of creating unique wines full of character.
This is continued in the cellar in order to preserve the naturalness of the wines. As a result, hardly any technology is used during vinification and the wines are given time. "Our job is not to make wine, but to guide the wine," says Wolf.
The wine
Salis 2019
"Our aim is to create unique wines"
The Oberstein winery produces four different wines. Salis (Latin for salt) is the best example of Joachim Wolf's consistent philosophy. In addition to the typical fruity flavours, it reflects the saltiness (minerality) and freshness of the terroir and the identity of the vine.
The grapes are harvested in several passes, only those that are fully ripe. Fermentation takes place with long maceration on the skins in tonneau. Maturation for 10 months (70% in tonneau and 30% in steel barrels) and a further 6 months in the bottle.
Grape variety:
100% Sauvignon Blanc
Colour:
Brilliant straw yellow
On the nose:
Elegant peach notes, then grapefruit, lemon, iodine note and flint.
Taste:
Compact and dense, juicy with a salty flavour, long-lasting finish and a lovely clean mouthfeel thanks to its intense freshness.
Pairing:
In spring, this wine goes particularly well with cooked white asparagus with Bolzano sauce.
Salute!
Would you like to try it?
Enjoy Castel wines at home
You can enjoy this characterful wine and its three siblings from the Oberstein winery at the Castel and take some home with you from our hotel's own wine shop at attractive prices. Alternatively, we will be happy to send you your favourite wines directly.
Cheers!
© Image sources: Winery Oberstein / Gotthard Terrabona; IDM Südtirol/Manuel Ferrigato; Klocke Verlag
