Pranzegg, I.E.A. Quirein 2013, Südtirol, Italy

In a region where the focus is on scale and 95% of grapes grown are sold on, Martin and Marion of Weingut Pranzegg are doing things a little differently. Championing small yields and a minimal interventionist approach, the most important thing for Martin is to make 'living wines' that express a sense of place. He took over his family estate, nestled in the Bolzano valley basin in Sudtirol in 2008 and converted to biodynamics straight away with the intention of a creating a closed and sustainable eco-system within their farm. He claims 'As a winegrower, it is primarily my intention to narrate the region, the scene, the year and our way of living. Working biodynamically helps us not to blur the narration.’

They must have nerves of steel as they have a very extended winemaking process, and only release wines for sale when they are ready so the vintages we have are both sensational to drink now.

Lagrein is an indigenous variety of Sudtirol and the Quirein is a pure expression of the grape, seeing an extended maceration of up to 8 weeks. Unfined, unfiltered, no added sulphur. Plenty of patience, wild and intense dark berries and a complex minerality.