Mountain Apple Juice Sun Glow

Kohl Gourmet Mountain Apple Juice Sonnenglanz, the latest variety in our range

The Kohl Gourmet Mountain Apple Juice Sonnenglanz is the latest single-variety direct juice from Thomas Kohl, pressed from an apple variety only introduced in 2024. Radiant yellow in the glass, citrus-fresh on the palate – a sunny greeting from the Ritten plateau, grown at an altitude of around 1,000 meters.

Mountain Apple Juice Sonnenglanz is the new addition to Thomas Kohl's Gourmet line and a single-variety direct juice from an apple whose name describes its color in the glass. It is the youngest variety in the family of Kohl's apple juice personalities.

Sonnenglanz appears radiantly yellow in the glass, just as the apple does on the tree. Fine citrus aromas and a hint of pine elegantly balance the interplay of fruitiness and refreshing acidity – full-bodied, juicy, and elegant. In terms of sweetness, it sits alongside the Gravensteiner, slightly below the Rubinette.

Pairs with fresh salads, fish, and mild cheese

Mountain Apple Juice Sonnenglanz pairs well with light appetizers and fresh salads, as well as fish, light meats, and mild cheeses.

It handles light dishes well, whether savory, salty, or acidic – it is less fond of heat and intense sweetness. With steamed fish served with lemon and olive oil, the juice’s citrus note picks up on the dish's profiles, while the pine note settles over it like a fine veil. This is its perfect place in an alcohol-free summer menu.

A young cross between Topaz and Pinova

Sonnenglanz is a recent hybrid developed by Dr. Michael Neumüller at the Bavarian Fruit Centre in Hallbergmoos – a cross between Topaz and the Pinova, the variety that brought Kohl the national victory in 2019.

Scarcely russeted, the medium-sized fruits glow sun-yellow on the tree. They are only picked when the peel is lemon-yellow all over and only the calyx basin still shimmers greenish – for the longer it can hang in the sun, the more aromatic it becomes. Its cream-colored flesh is firm and crisp, its taste aromatic and fresh. A Bavarian that has made itself at home in South Tyrol.

There is a reason why such a young variety is included in the Gourmet line: like all of Thomas's selections, it must possess enough character to stand alone in the glass. Sonnenglanz has passed the test – it has been on the shelf alongside the established varieties since May 2024, holding its own in a range led by the national champion, Pinova.

Cool climate at 1,000 meters on the Ritten

What makes Sonnenglanz so vibrant is the altitude: at around 1,000 meters on the Ritten, the apples grow through cool nights and long sunny days – a "cool climate," as one would say in viticulture.

The greater the difference between a warm day and a cool night, the more acidity the fruit retains, and the more clearly the aroma later defines itself in the glass. The apples are hand-picked, pressed as a single variety, and preserved solely through gentle pasteurization. There is nothing in the bottle but apple. Its vegan seal is certified by the European Vegetarian Union.

Serve at 8 to 10 degrees in a stemmed glass

As with wine, Sonnenglanz needs to be served at 8 to 10 degrees in a stemmed glass so that its aromas have room to breathe. Once opened, it should be kept in the refrigerator and consumed within 6 days; unopened, it should be stored in a cool, dark place, where the bottle will keep for at least a year. You can find the entire single-variety family – from Rouge to Jonagold – in the Kohl Gourmet Collection.