Colterenzio-Schreckbichl 'Kalterersee' Auslese Lago di Caldaro Scelto Classico Superiore, Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy

Light, succulent, and distinctly Alpine, the 2025 Colterenzio-Schreckbichl Kalterersee Auslese Lago di Caldaro Scelto Classico Superiore captures the easygoing charm of Schiava without sacrificing definition. Bright cherry and summer red fruit lead into a gentle, juicy palate framed by soft tannins and refreshing acidity. Raised entirely in tank, it keeps the focus firmly on purity of fruit and the delicate character that has made Vernatsch a defining red grape of Alto Adige.

Product Details:

• Winemaker: Martin Lemayr
• Grape: 100% Vernatsch (Schiava)
• Vineyards: Hillside vineyards at 410 to 440 meters elevation
• Soils: Morainal soils mixed with sand and weathered porphyry deposits
• Yield: 103 hl/ha
• Fermentation: Fermented on the skins in stainless steel tanks, followed by malolactic fermentation
• Aging: Four months of refinement in tank
• Alcohol: 12.5% ABV
• Total Acidity: 4.5 g/L
• Residual Sugar: 0.8 g/L
• Cellaring Potential: Approximately 2 years

Sensory Description:

Bright pale ruby in color, with an aromatic profile centered on cherry and fresh summer red fruits. The palate is succulent and gently textured, carrying juicy red fruit through a light frame of soft, unobtrusive tannins. Mild but refreshing acidity gives the wine its lift and keeps the finish clean and lively. The overall impression is delicate, fruit-driven, and highly drinkable, with freshness taking precedence over weight or extraction.

Winemaker's Background:

Cantina Colterenzio, known as Kellerei Schreckbichl in German, was founded in 1960 when 26 growers from the hamlet of Schreckbichl near Appiano formed a cooperative to gain independence from the wine merchants who dominated the local trade. The name Colterenzio is simply the Italian name for Schreckbichl. A major shift came under Luis Raifer, who joined the cooperative’s management in 1979 and helped establish stricter standards in the vineyards, including reduced yields and a stronger focus on site and grape quality. Today, approximately 300 winegrowing families form the foundation of the cooperative. Winemaking is led by Martin Lemayr, whose cellar team works with stainless steel, concrete, and wood according to the character of each variety and wine. This Kalterersee belongs to the Classic range, a collection designed to emphasize varietal character, fresh aromatics, and lively acidity.

Serving Suggestions:

Serve cool at approximately 14 degrees Celsius. Its light body, soft tannins, and fresh red-fruit character make it unusually versatile at the table. Pair with Tyrolean charcuterie and mild cheeses, pasta with meat sauce, pizza, roast chicken, veal, or other white meats. A light chill makes it particularly refreshing for warm-weather drinking and emphasizes Schiava’s bright, delicate fruit.