This wine showcases 100% Schiava from Alto Adige’s renowned Cornaiano and Colterenzio hillside vineyards. Its pale-to-medium ruby colour, lifted aromas of wild cherry, raspberry, violet, and subtle almond reflect the grape’s elegance and the region’s cool mountain climate. Gentle winemaking preserves a silky, refined palate, revealing fresh red fruit and floral notes with a delicate almond finish.
Martini & Sohn “Pure Origin” Vernatsch – Alto Adige Schiava DOC – 75cl
Price range: £18.95 through £215.25
Additional information
| Weight | 1 kg |
|---|---|
| Bottle Quantity | 1, 6, 12 |
Martini & Sohn “Pure Origin” Vernatsch is a refined, high-altitude expression of 100% Schiava, a noble and historic grape native to Alto Adige. Crafted in the acclaimed hillside zones of Cornaiano and Colterenzio, this wine represents the purest form of Vernatsch: graceful, perfumed, delicately coloured and remarkably complex.
In the glass, it shows a luminous pale-to-medium ruby red, capturing the elegance and transparency that define top-quality Schiava. The nose is beautifully lifted and aromatic — wild cherries, raspberry, violet petals and gentle almond, a hallmark of the grape. Every swirl adds more nuance: soft red berries, subtle spice, and the clean mountain freshness that only Alto Adige can deliver.
The palate is silky, refined and exceptionally balanced. Tannins are naturally fine and smooth, allowing the purity of the fruit to shine without heaviness. Expect fresh red cherry, raspberry coulis and floral notes wrapped in a delicate almond-like finish. Despite its elegance, the wine carries a quiet concentration — a testament to meticulous vineyard work and low yields of 75 hl/ha.
The vineyards, trained under the traditional Pergola system, sit on mineral-rich soils shaped by centuries of Alpine and volcanic activity. Cool mountain breezes and significant day–night temperature shifts help the grapes develop perfume, precision and freshness.
Winemaking is deliberately gentle: malolactic fermentation in stainless steel preserves purity, while maturation in large 15hl oak casks adds finesse, roundness and textural harmony without masking the fruit. This is Vernatsch in its most authentic, premium form.
Drink now for its vibrant fruit or cellar for 1–5 years to enjoy evolving complexity.
Tasting Profile (Premium Breakdown)
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Colour: Pale–medium ruby
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Aromas: Wild cherry, raspberry, violet, soft spice, almond
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Palate: Elegant, silky, fresh red fruit, floral lift, delicate almond finish
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Body: Light–medium
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Tannins: Supple, ultra-fine
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Finish: Long, polished, aromatic
Food Pairing
Perfect with:
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Alpine charcuterie (speck, artisan cured meats)
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Roast guinea fowl, chicken or veal
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Fresh pasta with mushrooms or herbs
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Truffle dishes
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Mild-to-medium cheeses
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Fine dining plates where elegance and freshness matter
Donzella Answers
What You Should Know About This Wine
Helpful insights on serving, pairing, and what to expect from the bottle in your glass.
Serve this light to medium-bodied red slightly chilled, ideally between 8–10°C. This temperature accentuates its fresh fruit nuances, silky texture, and polished tannins, while enhancing the vibrant aromatic lift. It’s perfect to enjoy now or cellar gently for 1 to 5 years to develop more complexity.
Its bright red berry and floral profile suits lighter fare such as herb-roasted chicken, grilled trout with lemon and herbs, or delicate mushroom risotto. Traditional Alpine dishes featuring speck or soft cheeses also complement the wine’s finesse and refreshing mineral lift from its mountain origin.
Schiava, also known locally as Vernatsch, is a noble native grape of Alto Adige with centuries-old roots. Cultivated using traditional Pergola training on mineral-rich alpine and volcanic soils, it benefits from cool mountain breezes and significant day–night temperature swings that develop its hallmark aromatic precision and freshness. This wine reflects a long-standing local winemaking tradition focused on purity, elegance, and harmony with regional cuisine.