TN: 2010 Pacherhof Muller Thurgau

Light yellow in the glass, with a delineated nose that features an almost grapefruit-like citricity.

Brisk & refreshing on the palate - I’m just drinking right now, but given the light-bodied nature of this wine, I could see this being a perfect accompaniment to a chicken caesar salad, as the acidity in the wine would play nicely off the creaminess/richness of the dressing. Nicely mineral, and a hair shy of bone dry. This would also a very nice starter wine for “on the deck” appetizers before the serious wine starts to flow. Don’t know how other folks view this, but as much as I like wines like Greco di Tufo and other southern whites, for my money the best whites in Italy come from the Alto Adige.

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Enjoyed that M-T a couple months ago. I’d agree that the better Italian whites come from north of the Po River. Recently enjoyed a Lazio Malvasia but am yet to be wowed by a Fiano, Greco, Frascati, or Verdicchio.

RT

Their 2010 Kerner is splendid juice as well.

I do like Greco and Fiano from time to time, but they often strike me as more “workman-like” or solid as opposed to something you take note of. Obviously the climate in Alto Adige is favorable to the kind of high acidity whites that I like - I’ve even had some pinot grigio that I thought was quite acceptable, and the less common grapes like Muller Thurgau & Kerner can be a real treat in that they combine the acidity of a chablis with some of that floral bouquet that you might get in riesling, sans the petrol. To me, they are great “change of pace” wines if you want to get away from a riesling or chardonnay rut.

The one Italian white that I wish I liked more is Verdicchio - everyone I’ve tried has been so-so, drinkable yes, but not something you’d make an effort to seek out. And I have had some very nice Vermentino, although I have found that even at the higher end, they are wines that need to be drunk shortly after release.

Bob,

Have you tried Verdicchio di Matelica? It’s generally higher in acidity than the Jesi examples, very bright mineral character.

I love Vermentino, but I’d agree with you that it probably won’t age very well.