GRAF Riesling Südtirol DOC 2024 (3 bottles)

"Graf" Riesling Südtirol DOC 2024 / Cantina Merano / South-Tirol

Container of 3 bottles

White wine from Italy

The “Graf” Riesling Südtirol DOC is a characterful white wine from Cantina Merano – a cooperative founded in 2010 through the merger of two long-established estates in the Burggrafenamt region. Today, with 380 members and around 260 hectares of vineyards, it brings together the finest sites of western South Tyrol - from Lana and Meran to Kastelbell - under a shared commitment to authenticity, origin, and artisanal precision.

Riesling, revered worldwide for its elegance and expressive nature, boasts a history spanning over six centuries. Originally rooted in the Upper Rhine Valley, the variety gradually made its way into Europe’s most prestigious wine regions - and ultimately to South Tyrol. In the elevated vineyards of Meran and the Vinschgau, at altitudes between 600 and 750 metres, Riesling reveals its full potential. The alpine climate, with cool nights and intense sunlight, combined with light, permeable moraine soils, offers ideal conditions for slow, aromatic ripening and pronounced minerality.

Grapes for the “Graf” Riesling are carefully hand-harvested between September and mid-October, then gently pressed as whole clusters. Fermentation occurs spontaneously in small stainless-steel tanks at controlled temperatures, followed by six months of ageing on fine lees - without malolactic conversion - lending the wine depth, structure, and a precise, vibrant acidity.

In the glass, the Riesling gleams pale straw yellow with greenish highlights. The bouquet is layered and refined: ripe peach, fresh citrus, green apple and floral notes mingle with a hint of flint - a subtle nod to the slate-rich soils of its origin. On the palate, it is dry, elegant and well-balanced, with lively acidity, delicate fruit and a mineral-driven finish. A harmonious finale completes the tasting experience.

Served at 10 to 12 °C, the “Graf” Riesling reveals its full finesse - whether as an aperitif or paired with pan-seared pikeperch, scallops, prawns in citrus butter, or Asian-inspired dishes featuring lemongrass and ginger. Vegetarian fare such as asparagus, fennel or green vegetable risotto benefits equally from its freshness and structure. Even fine poultry – herb-crusted chicken breast or veal loin - finds a stylish companion in this wine.

Presented here as a set of three 0.75-litre bottles, the “Graf” Riesling Südtirol DOC offers triple the pleasure - ideal for sharing, gifting, or savouring across multiple occasions. More than just a wine, it is a reflection of terroir, philosophy and tradition. A true delight for those who seek the exceptional.

General properties

• Vintage: 2024
• Ageing: Dry
• Country: Italy
• Region: South-Tirol
• Volume: 2.25 litres

Detailed properties

• Producer and bottler: Kellerei Meran Burggräfler Gen. Landw. Ges. - Via Cantina 9 - 39020 Marlengo (BZ) - Italia - +39 0473 447137
• Quality Designation: Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC)
• Grape variety: 100% Riesling.
• Cultivation zone and soils: The grapes for this Riesling are sourced from selected vineyards in the elevated slopes of Meran and the Vinschgau, situated between 600 and 750 metres above sea level. These alpine growing zones are characterised by cool nights and intense sunlight, conditions that promote a slow, aromatic ripening of the fruit. The soils consist predominantly of light, well-drained moraine debris, offering excellent drainage and allowing the roots to penetrate deep into the mineral-rich subsoil – ideal foundations for a Riesling with clear structure, refined minerality and precise fruit expression.
• Vinification: The grapes are carefully hand-harvested between September and mid-October, then gently pressed as whole bunches to preserve their delicate aromas. Fermentation takes place spontaneously in small stainless-steel tanks at controlled temperatures, allowing the natural yeasts to fully express themselves. The wine is then aged for six months on fine lees, enhancing its depth and structure. Malolactic fermentation is deliberately avoided to retain the wine’s fresh, precise acidity.
• Scent: The wine opens with aromas of ripe yellow peach, lending a delicate touch of sweet fruit. Fresh citrus notes of lemon and lime add a vibrant, uplifting freshness to the bouquet. This aromatic profile is elegantly completed by a subtle, smoky-mineral hint of flint, reminiscent of wet stone and evocative of the slate-rich soils from which the wine originates.
• Taste: Dry and precise, this wine displays a clear structure and a taut, invigorating acidity. Despite its freshness, it reveals impressive depth and substance, further enhanced by maturation on fine lees. The balance between fruit, acidity and mineral elements is exceptional, culminating in a long, elegant finish.
• Colour: Straw yellow with subtle greenish highlights.
• Alcohol content: 13.0 % Vol.
• Residual sugar: 3.1 g/l
• Acidity: 6.4 g/l
• Closure type: Natural cork.
• Serving recommendation: This wine proves to be a versatile companion at the table, revealing its full potential alongside pan-seared pikeperch, scallops or prawns in citrus butter. It also pairs harmoniously with delicately spiced Thai or Vietnamese dishes featuring lemongrass, ginger or coriander. Vegetarian options such as asparagus, fennel, goat’s cheese or green vegetable risotto benefit from its freshness and structure. In addition, it complements refined poultry dishes like herb-crusted chicken breast or veal loin with a light sauce.
• Recommended serving temperature: Between 10 and 12°C.
• Ingredients: Grapes, rectified grape must concentrate, preservatives and antioxidants: Sulphites, L-ascorbic acid, acidity regulator: Tartaric acid, stabilisers: Gum arabic.
• Allergens: Contains sulphites.
• EAN (bottle): 8028677464019
• Bottle type: Disposable (no deposit)
• Scope of supply: 3 disposable bottles of wine 0.75 litres = 2.25 litres.

Grape variety

RIESLING

Riesling is regarded as one of the world’s most distinguished white grape varieties, with a history spanning over six centuries. Its earliest documented mention dates back to 1435 in Rüsselsheim, where a vineyard ledger refers to “riesslingen in den wingarten” - a quiet testament to its ancient origins. Native to the Upper Rhine Valley, the variety began to spread from the 16th century onwards along the Rhine and Moselle rivers, gaining particular prominence in the Rheingau, where it helped shape the region’s stylistic identity. By the 19th century, Riesling had achieved international acclaim, especially for its noble sweet wines with finely balanced acidity. Today, the grape thrives in alpine regions such as South Tyrol, where it reaches its full potential in the elevated vineyards of the Eisack Valley and Vinschgau. Here, the interplay of cool mountain climate and mineral-rich soils imparts a distinctive freshness and elegance to the wines. The vine itself is moderately vigorous, with an upright growth habit and late-ripening, thin-skinned berries that offer high acidity and intense aromatic expression. It favours calcareous and slate-rich soils with excellent drainage and shows notable resilience to cooler temperatures. Thanks to its late ripening, Riesling is exceptionally well-suited to ageing, developing complex, multi-layered aromas over time. Riesling is a true embodiment of tradition, terroir and craftsmanship – a wine of depth, finesse and global renown, ideal for those who appreciate fresh, aromatic white wines of character.