While I can’t speak with full authority to the history of this site, I’m not fully certain we’ve tried a wine from a vineyard founded in the 12th century. However the origins of Abbazia di Novacella lie in South Tyrol, Italy in the year 1142. Grüner Veltliner is a varietal where we’ve yet to take a truly deep dive, but it’s a dive certainly worth taking.

Pouring chilled into a glass, there’s an immediately appealing burst of mountain herb that one would normally receive in an ounce of Zirbenz or absinthe. With a few quick swirls of the glass, notes of citrus zest and gooseberry appear and balance out the earth-heavy aromas which were so dominant at first. On the palate, it delivers a lively balance of white peach, lime zest, and jasmine tea that are accompanied by plenty of acidity and a clean finish filled with more tropical fruit and white peach. It is complex, but never overburdensome in its delivery, and it offers plenty to consider throughout a good meal.

Going to a Thanksgiving/Friendsgiving get-together where you’ll know next to nobody? Consider bringing along a bottle of this served chilled before or during the main course. This is a proper people pleaser that will win you a few friendly conversations in no time. It may also change the course of conversation with family you may know, but with whom you wholeheartedly disagree on any number of topics.

A- / $25

2023 Abbazia di Novacella Valle Isarco Gruner Veltliner Alto Adige DOC

$25

9

Rating

9.0/10

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