Let’s be honest, Pinot Grigio is a wine that we rarely get super excited about. It typically produces wines that are light, dry, simple, and one dimensional, but we’ve found one that delivers flavors and dimension far beyond any of those characteristics.
The 2013 Nals Margreid Pinot Grigio “Punggl” is a wine that will make you rethink the potential of Pinot Grigio, and one that will appeal to both wine novices and wine aficionados.
2013 Nals Margreid Pinot Grigio "Punggl"
The best Pinot Grigio in the world!
This vintage is sold out. To order the new vintage, stop by the store or click here to order in our online store.
Nals Margreid is a cooperative composed of 140 small, quality-driven growers in the Alto Adige region of Northern Italy. Formed in 1985 by the joining of the Cellers Nalles (formed in 1932) and Magre-Niclara (established in 1954), this merger brought together some of the region’s best small growers to form a “dream team” of sorts.
All of the growers use sustainable practices in their high altitude vineyards which stretch from Nalles in the north to Margré in the south. Benefiting from the climactic-barrier influence of the Alps in the north and the Mediterranean influences from the south, the winery is able to produce a broad range of distinctive and award winning wines consistently.
As I said in the introduction, the winery’s Punggl Pinot Grigio was recently chosen as the best Pinot Grigio in the world. What makes this wine so special? Punggl, meaning hill in the South Tyrolean dialect, is a single vineyard plot of 80+ year old, hillside Pinot Grigio located in the warmer, southern part of the region.
The warmer climate and the old vines combine to create a sort of “Pinot Grigio on Steroids.” Upon pouring, the wine shows a lovely, deep straw color and an intense bouquet of exotic tangerine, nectarine, orange, honey, flowers and mineral. The palate is full bodied, viscous, and packed with intense flavors of rich and creamy tropical fruits, spiced apple, pear, crushed rock, and balancing acidity.
I would guess that this is a wine that you could enjoy over the next 5+ years, but it won’t last that long at my house. Enjoy it now as an aperitif or serve it with fresh fish, seafood, pork, or poultry.
This vintage is sold out. To order the new vintage, stop by the store or click here to order in our online store.
Josh Spurling
Owner, Operator, Wine Monger
Table Wine Asheville