Wines Alto Adige Valle Isarco Rottensteiner - Vigna Premstallerhof Santa Maddalena Classico 2023, - 2023

Viniou Reviews

The Cuvée Vigna Premstallerhof Santa Maddalena Classico 2023 from Rottensteiner is a fine representative of Alto Adige’s remarkable reds. Produced in the Alto Adige Valle Isarco DOC, this wine is predominantly crafted from Schiava (Vernatsch), sometimes blended with a touch of Lagrein, two emblematic grape varieties native to the region. The 2023 vintage benefited from a balanced climate, ensuring vibrant acidity and moderately intense yet elegant fruit aromatics. The terroir, with its weathered porphyry soils and steep slopes at altitudes between 400 and 600 metres, yields wines expressing clarity, freshness, and a unique alpine character. Vinification techniques preserve primary fruit notes, lending a light to medium-bodied structure with soft tannins, vivid red cherry, raspberry, and subtle floral undertones, all underpinned by a gentle spiciness.

Alto Adige, or Südtirol, is renowned as one of Italy’s most dynamic and historic wine-growing areas. Bordering Austria, the region boasts a continental climate, with hot summer days and cool nights contributing to the preservation of acidity and aromatic finesse in the grapes. The area’s diverse soils—ranging from porphyry and quartz to dolomite and limestone—impart minerality and complexity to the wines. Historically, Alto Adige’s location at a cultural crossroads is reflected in its grape varieties, traditions, and winemaking style, blending Italian and Austro-Hungarian influence. The Valle Isarco, in particular, is celebrated for producing fresh, delicate wines from steep, sun-drenched vineyards.

The lightness and elegance of Santa Maddalena Classico make it a versatile companion for food. It is ideal served alongside traditional Tyrolean cuisine such as speck, cold cuts, or mild mountain cheeses. Roast poultry, pork loin with herbs, or venison with cranberries find a harmonious partner in this wine’s bright acidity and subtle fruit. Vegetarian options like mushroom risotto or a beetroot salad with walnuts also suit its character, allowing the wine’s lively red-fruited profile to shine.

For optimal enjoyment, decanting is optional but can help open up the wine's bouquet, especially in its youth. Serve slightly cooled, between 14-16°C, which highlights its fruit and balances its vibrant acidity. This temperature preserves the wine’s freshness without masking its delicate aromas, ensuring every glass expresses the best of the Alto Adige terroir.