Alto Adige Pinot Nero DOC, 2023 – Kaltern (2023) - Kaltern
Cantina Kaltern is one of the leading wine cooperatives in Alto Adige, representing more than 650 winegrowing families .
Alto Adige Pinot Nero DOC, 2023 – Kaltern (2023) - Kaltern
Type: Red Wine
Area: Italy, Trentino-Alto Adige, Caldaro (Kaltern)
Appellation: Alto Adige DOC
Grape variety: Pinot Noir
Vintage: 2023
Winery: Kaltern
Alcohol: 13,5
The appellation: Alto Adige DOC
Alto Adige DOC (Südtirol DOC in German) is one of the most prestigious and best-known appellations in Italy for the production of top-quality white and red wines. Established in 1975, this DOC covers the entire winegrowing territory of the autonomous province of Bolzano and forms a mosaic of micro-areas and grape varieties, characterised by varying altitudes, wide temperature swings and complex soils. The strength of Alto Adige DOC lies in its extraordinary variety and in its ability to express freshness, elegance and aromatic precision, in both whites and reds.
Find out more about Alto Adige DOCWhat to eat with Alto Adige Pinot Nero DOC, 2023 – Kaltern
Who makes it: Kaltern
Cantina Kaltern (in German Kellerei Kaltern) is one of the most representative cooperative wineries of Alto Adige, based at Caldaro on the shores of the lake of the same name. Its roots go back more than a century and today it brings together around 600 winegrowing families who share a common vision: to make high-quality wines with the utmost respect for nature and for the land. Kaltern believes in the strength of cooperation, in transparency in production and in championing native grape varieties, in particular Schiava, which gives rise to the famous Kalterersee.
Find out more about KalternThe vine of Alto Adige Pinot Nero DOC, 2023 – Kaltern
Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir is one of the most fascinating and noble black grape varieties in the world. Famous for its elegance and complexity, this variety is at the heart of some of the most prestigious wines on the globe, particularly the wines of Burgundy and Champagne AOC. Its versatility and its ability to reflect the terroir make it one of the varieties most loved by winemakers and wine lovers alike.
Find out moreAlto Adige Pinot Nero DOC, 2023 – Kaltern: the terroir of Caldaro (Kaltern)
Caldaro (Kaltern)
Caldaro, or Kaltern in German, is a charming wine village in the autonomous province of Bolzano, in the heart of Alto Adige / Südtirol. It sits near the lake of the same name (Kalterer See), which helps to create an ideal microclimate for viticulture: Mediterranean in its temperatures, but Alpine in its altitude and its winds. Caldaro is famous for its "Kalterersee" wine, a light, fruity red based on Schiava (Vernatsch), a symbol of South Tyrolean conviviality. But there is no shortage of excellence among the mineral whites from Pinot Bianco, Sauvignon and Gewürztraminer and the more structured reds from Lagrein and Pinot Nero, grown in the higher hillside areas.
Find out more about Caldaro (Kaltern)Climate: Alpine
Altitude: Low to mid altitude (200–500 m above sea level)
Soil: Limestone / chalk
Geographical setting: Lake
Profile of Alto Adige Pinot Nero DOC, 2023 – Kaltern
Primary aromas: Cherry, raspberry, rosehip tea
Secondary aromas: Cinnamon, nutmeg, undergrowth
Tertiary aromas: Light toasty notes, vanilla
Tasting notes: An intense cherry red colour. On the nose, aromas of cherry and raspberry with hints of rosehip tea. On the palate, it is full and soft, with a silky, harmonious finish .
| Sulphites | yes |
| Body | Soft, elegant |
| Acidity | Fresh |
| Tannin | Soft and well integrated |
| Sweetness | Dry |
| Finish | Medium, with fruity and spicy notes |
| Colour | Intense cherry red |
| Clarity | Clear |
| Body | Medium |
Winemaking methods used for Alto Adige Pinot Nero DOC, 2023 – Kaltern
Malolactic fermentation
Malolactic fermentation is a fundamental process in winemaking, particularly used for quality white, red and sparkling wines. This method plays a key role in determining the flavour and aromatic profile of many wines, helping to make them softer, more complex and suited to long ageing.
Find out moreSkin maceration
Maceration on part of the skins throughout alcoholic fermentation is a technique in which the must stays in partial contact with the skins for the whole fermentation. It extracts aroma, colour and structure in a controlled way, without excessive tannic intensity, which makes it ideal for structured whites, orange wines and more elegant reds.
Find out moreExtended maceration (2–3 weeks)
Extended maceration, lasting between 2 and 3 weeks, is a traditional red winemaking technique used to obtain wines of great structure, depth and ageing potential. Over this period the skins stay in contact with the must for longer than average, allowing a more intense extraction of colour, tannins and complex aromatic compounds. It is typical of wines built for long ageing, made to express themselves over time.
Find out moreAgeing methods used for Alto Adige Pinot Nero DOC, 2023 – Kaltern
In cask
Ageing in large casks is one of the oldest and most significant winemaking techniques for maturing wine. It consists in leaving the wine to rest in large wooden casks, generally Slavonian or French oak, for a period that can range from a few months up to several years. Unlike barriques, casks have a greater capacity (from 5 to 50 hectolitres or more), offering gentle, slow micro-oxygenation. This allows gradual maturation, enhancing the structure and keeping the fruit intact, without the wood dominating the aromatic profile.
Find out more