Profile

Structure

Bodylight
Tanninlow
Acidityhigh
Sweetnessdry
Finishlong
Oaklarge or old casks

Drinking window

Best 2 to 10 years from vintage.

vintage2 yrs10 yrs12 yrs

Critic scores

No critic score is published for this bottle that we can cite with a reviewer, a vintage and a review year, so none is shown. The rating above is our own.

In the glass

Light-bodiedLow tanninHigh acidityDryLong finish

Aroma: wild strawberry, violet, almond, fresh herbs

Palate: red cherry, soft tannin, fresh acidity, elegant lift

Cantina Kurtatsch's old-vine Schiava (Vernatsch) from Sonntaler vineyards, produced through reduced yields and strict quality standards as part of the cellar's Selection range. Among Alto Adige's most serious Vernatsch bottlings, demonstrating the variety's quality potential.

What it pairs with

  • Speck and rye bread plate Schiava is the classical Tyrolean Brettljause pairing; freshness cuts through cured pork fat.More wines for ham →
  • Schluetzkrapfen with sage butter Tyrolean ravioli pairs naturally with Vernatsch; red cherry register echoes the brown butter.
  • Roast chicken with herbs Light-bodied red for white meat; soft tannin and herb notes match roasted bird.More wines for chicken and white meat →

With cheese

Stilfser Local tradition Qualigeo lists Alto Adige Schiava among the usual partners of Stilfser. These run from light to medium body, with almond, red fruit or violet and low to medium tannin, so the cheese's spicy aroma and intense flavour stay in front. Sextner Almkäse Our pick The Käserei Sexten also suggests light, fruity red wines for its Almkäse. A light-bodied Schiava with low tannin and notes of violet and almond sits easily with the cheese's very soft, supple paste.

History

Cantina Kurtatsch's Sonntaler Vernatsch Alte Reben emerged in the early 2000s during Vernatsch's renaissance, as the cellar's commitment to old-vine Schiava with reduced yields and strict quality protocols. The Sonntaler vineyards on the cooperative's south-facing slopes give the wine its character.

  1. 2000First Sonntaler Vernatsch Alte Reben vintage

Facts

Producer
Cantina Kurtatsch · visiting guide
Grapes
Schiava (100%)
Classification
DOC Alto Adige Vernatsch
Oak
Six to eight months in large oak with lees contact
ABV
12.5%
Price
EUR 18 to 28 at retail
Drinking window
2 to 10 from vintage
First vintage
2000

Frequently asked about Sonntaler Vernatsch Alte Reben

What does Sonntaler Vernatsch taste like?

Wild strawberry, violet, almond and fresh herbs on the nose; red cherry, soft tannin, fresh acidity and an elegant lift on the palate. Light-bodied with low tannin.

When should I drink Sonntaler?

Drink between 2 and 10 years from vintage. Vernatsch is at its best with vibrant red fruit; serve slightly chilled (12-14C) like a Beaujolais.

What food pairs with Sonntaler Vernatsch?

Speck and rye bread, Schluetzkrapfen with sage butter, or roast chicken with herbs. Light-bodied alpine red for Tyrolean charcuterie and lighter dishes.

Why are old vines important for Vernatsch?

Vernatsch (Schiava) is a high-yielding variety; old vines (Alte Reben) with reduced yields give the concentration and depth that the wine otherwise lacks. Sonntaler is one of the few serious old-vine Schiavas in Italy.

Tags

dry high acid light body low tannin medium term mood easygoing mood refreshing mood rustic occasion dinner party occasion picnic occasion summer occasion weeknight old vines old world pairs with charcuterie pairs with pasta cream pairs with pork pairs with poultry pairs with soft cheese price trade up schiava still red

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