Cantina Toblino, Muller Thurgau, Trentino DOC, Italy

The grape variety Müller Thurgau was created in the late 19th Century by crossing Riesling with a table grape which, in Jancis Robinson's words, "played an important part in allowing the reputation of German wine to plummet". Grown in cooler, northern climates and as adopted by early pioneers in New Zealand to make off-dry, Lieb style wines, it can be low in acidity and lacking in identity. Excited to drink this wine yet? :) In the right hands however, grown in the right place and not over cropped it can be really interesting and lovely as either an aperitif or with food, particularly fish and young, fresh or soft cheeses. The Trentino, up in the north of Italy is one place where it seems to have come into its own, making wine with good acidity and individuality. Cantine Toblino is a cooperative winery in the Sarca Valley, west of the city of Trento, and high in the Dolomite mountains. The wine is attractively floral with lovely balance and freshness.