THE DISCOVER CLUB - APRIL 2022
We return to one of the first producers that inspired me to develop the Discover Club, Alois Lageder. Alois Lageder is a 6th generation wine estate in Alto Adige, Italy. “Clemens,” the 6th generation, is the one who pushed their family estate towards biodynamics. After an exceptional tasting with him, I asked what his favorite project was. His answer involved several wines, but the “Comets” series was at the top of that list. This month, I’m happy to introduce you to Alois Lageder “SOA XX.”
Picture from Alois Lageder website
LAGEDER “SOA XX” VERSOAIN 2020
Proprietor: Alois Lageder
Region: Sudtirol (Alto Adige), ITA
Grape Varietal: 100% Versoain
Vineyard: Leiten in Magre
Viticulture: certified biodynamic; sandy, stony dolomite
Method: native yeast fermentation, 12 days whole bunch; aged in stainless steel
Serving Suggestions: serve at 44-48 F
Age: drink 2022 - 2026
Nose: grapefruit, peach stone, lemon oil
white flowers, jasmine, honeysuckle
Palate: light bodied with round, lean texture
Finish: bright acidity with lingering sweet fruit
Serve with: citrus salad with candied pecans and goat cheese
ABOUT ALOIS LAGEDER
Alois Lageder in Alto Adige is leader in the region for their biodynamic practices which is embodied to the fullest extent in their “Comets” series. While working in harmony with nature, Lageder strives to achieve liveliness and precision in their wines, and in light of the marked increase in temperatures across their estates in Alto Adige, they developed an experiment series to play with the diverse grapes and growing continues available to them. This experimentation resulted in my favorite classic Pinot Grigio, “Porer,” but Lageder has also rekindled native, sometimes nearly extinct, varieties and time-honored practices.
ABOUT THE WINE
The Comets wines by Lageder follow strict biodynamic practices in the vineyards as well as the cellar. As such, they are bottled without sulfur additions so must be kept in pristine cellar conditions to age. Just as with nature, the more care you put into how you treat it, the greater the rewards will be.
SOA is their unique variety wine, VerSOAin, native grape that had almost gone extinct. It was propagated from a single vine that extended 320 square meters for OVER 360 YEARS at Katzenzungen Castle in nearby Prissiano. This single vine is believed to be the largest, if not oldest, vine in all of Europe.
300+ year single vine of Versoain. Picture from Suedtirolerland.it