Kerner della Valle Isarco 2018: This white wine displays a medium straw colour. On the nose the aroma is dominated by pear, although apple and citrus can also by detected. In the mouth the wine is well balanced, with a refreshing aromaticity that last for a satisfying while. The kind of white that even my wife, who usually drinks only red and sparkling wines, can enjoy.
Kerner is a white grape variety created in 1929 in Württemberg by crossing Riesling with Trollinger (Schiava Grossa), a dark-skinned grape. Like Riesling, Kerner is high in acidity and has the ability to age well for many years.
Kerner is one of the most popular crossings created in Germany in the 20th Century. Nowadays it is planted extensively throughout the country and used both in blends and to make varietal wines.
Kerner has a number of traits that appeal to winegrowers. First of all, it is not fussy about where it is grown. In Germany, a land dominated by the site-specific Riesling, this is a key advantage. It is also high yielding, ripens reliably and, as it buds late, is protected from spring frosts.
This example is not from Germany though, but from Südtirol/Alto Adige, where the grape is also grown widely. Kerner was introduced into Alto Adige in the early 1970s and awarded Denominazione di origine controllata (DOC) status in 1993.
I bought this bottle in Italy for 8.90 EUR. It is produced by Eisaktaler Kellerei/Cantina Valle Isarco.
Country: Italy
Region: Trentino-Alto Adige
Grapes: Kerner
Type: White
Vintage: 2018
Producer: Eisaktaler Kellerei/Cantina Valle Isarco
Price range: Economic (<15 US$)
Pascal’s Enjoyment Index: 4/5