Martin Gojer and his former colleague Philine Dienger wrote a short article for Triple A, the Italian distributor of Pranzegg wines, on the creation of Vino Rosso Leggero (Light Red Wine). It is fundamentally about the fact that artisan wines not only reflect the material world of the winemaker, but also carry a deeper, more elusive, metaphysical aspect that reflects the emotional and intellectual state of the winemaker. Joseph Beuys' idea of social sculptures should ideally be translated into wine.
The anything but usual, but quite animating explanations ended with the confession that the two of them were in the middle of the harvest, had to deal with damp weather and the threat of peronospora and had sales appointments to fulfil in the few free minutes. They were tired, hardly got any sleep and therefore had no time to go into detail. Nevertheless, they still managed to get round the curve in the essay.
They told us that they didn't have the nerve for sophisticated, elaborate wines at these times and would much rather drink something refreshing, something that would wash away the stress, relax them and open their minds to new things: a light and lively red wine. Something like the Vino Rosso Leggero.
A new language would also be needed for a wine that includes metaphysical and emotional aspects. Unfortunately, we can't (yet) offer that. But we can at least hope that Martin and Philine drank the Vino Rosso Leggero the following year when the weather was nicer. Perhaps by the sea. Or in the sea. With a nice spaghetti western. Or just some nice spaghetti. Or at breakfast before reading. Or while thinking about how to put the essence of a wine into the right words.
Data sheet
Grape variety: Vernatsch (70%), Lagrein (20%), Merlot (10%)
Vineyard: Different vineyards, all based on volcanic bedrock and sandy weathered soils.
Fermentation: Wild yeasts, short 12-hour maceration, followed by gentle pressing of the grapes. Spontaneous fermentation on the Caroline skins
Ageing: In fibreglass and used tonneaux
Filtration: no
SO₂:< 30 mg/l
Alcohol: 11.5%
Closure: Crown cork
Drinking temperature: 10-12 °C
Perfect drinking maturity: immediately
Content and price per litre: 0.75 l/(€22.37l)
Maxime: All winegrowers listed with Vinonudo work with compost, organic fertilisers and natural preparations in their vineyards and refrain from using herbicides, pesticides and artificial fertilisers.
