Pinot Blanc – 2024

Citrus-fresh 2024 Pinot Bianco from Cantina Kurtatsch, aged in stainless steel

The 2024 Pinot Bianco from Cantina Kurtatsch is a young, dry white wine from South Tyrol, hand-picked and aged on the fine lees. This is not a wine for aging or the cellar, but a regional wine intended for the first year after harvest.

The 2024 Pinot Bianco from Cantina Kurtatsch is a varietal Pinot Bianco from the South Tyrolean lowlands, bottled in 750 milliliters and fermented completely dry. It comes from the winery's Selection line and reaches the market young, featuring bright apple, pear, and a distinct hint of lime. With 13.0 percent alcohol, it remains light enough for a long afternoon outdoors.

Pale yellow in the glass and nervous in scent

Pale yellow with a green rim, the young vintage sits in the glass, brighter than a matured Pinot Bianco and significantly more "nervous" in its bouquet. Anyone comparing it to an older vintage will see the difference before the first sip.

The nose detects bright apple, lime zest, and a hint of pear, accompanied by a herbal note reminiscent of freshly cut grass. On the palate, the wine is straightforward, with lively acidity and a dry, saline finish.

Any sweetness remains merely a suggestion, receding entirely behind the freshness. This is exactly what makes it the kind of wine for which a second glass is poured without a second thought.

With vitello tonnato and fried zander

As an aperitif, this young Pinot Bianco needs no accompaniment; a few olives on the table are more than enough.

It finds its match with vitello tonnato, fried zander, and a spring vegetable risotto, as its acidity effortlessly stands up to butter and cream. It is also well-suited for fried foods, as it cleanses the palate afterwards. A plate of Vinschgerl bread with cream cheese and radishes also pairs well with its direct character.

The next neighbor on the white wine shelf is the Pinot Grigio from the same cellar, and for those who prefer more herbaceous notes, there is the Sauvignon Blanc.

Hand-picked and aged on the fine lees

The grapes are hand-harvested at the time cellar master Erwin Carli deems ideal, and they arrive at the winery in small crates.

Small crates may sound like a minor detail, but they represent the difference between whole berries and crushed mash. Anything that splits open during transport oxidizes unnoticed, and it is precisely those tired notes that are missing from the wine later in the glass.

Following fermentation in stainless steel, it remains on the fine lees, which provides body without adding weight. The 2023 vintage was awarded 90 points by Vinum and Falstaff, with 92 points from James Suckling.

The first summer belongs to it

A terrace in June, a plate of speck and Schüttelbrot nearby, the bottle in the cooler and frosted up to the neck.

If you wish to store it away, you certainly can, as this Pinot Bianco manages two to three years without any difficulty. However, its true appeal lies in the "now," as long as the lime notes remain distinct in the glass. A vintage like this thrives on its tension, which it loses a little bit more with each passing year.

More from the south of South Tyrol can be found in the Cantina Kurtatsch assortment. Young, cool, and straightforward.

Origin, values and awards

• Origin: Wine from Italy
• Growing region: South Tyrol - Alto Adige DOC
• Grape variety: Pinot Bianco
• 13.0% vol. alcohol
• 6.1 g/l acidity
• 2.5 g/l residual sugar
• Awards 2024: 91 points James Suckling, 89 points Vinum, 17 points Jancisrobinson.com