HP Harrer's small winery in Neusiedl and Silvio Messana's Azienda Montesecondo in San Casciano may be a good 1000 kilometres of motorway and a national border apart, but otherwise there are a lot of parallels. Both have been cultivating their vineyards biodynamically for many years and both have their most important vineyard on a gently sloping limestone site.
In addition, both make excellent wines from different grape varieties, but have focussed primarily on the interpretation of a very specific variety, which in Silvio Messana's case is Sangiovese, while HP Harrer tries year after year to reveal the quintessence of his Blaufränkisch grapes.
He has recently started using clay containers - as Silvio Messana does with his brilliant TÏN - which he (like S.M.) sources from the Italian terracotta capital of Impruneta. The handmade amphora holds 350 litres, into which HP shovels his grapes together with the stems, then closes it and lets things take their course for the next 8 months (spontaneous fermentation, malolactic fermentation, development of complex aromatic compounds). He then carefully draws off the wine and bottles it unfined und unfiltered.
Clear, dynamic, characterised by fine red berry fruit and subtle spice. Flows directly and linearly towards the palate. Is elegant & cool. Based on a tightly woven texture that will mellow and soften over time. Offers an invigorating and juicy finish. Combines complexity and drinkability and leaves a lasting impression on the palate.
Data sheet
Grape variety: Blaufränkisch
Vineyard: Lange Ohn, limestone
Harvest: By hand
Fermentation: spontaneous | wild yeasts, in amphorae
Ageing: in amphorae
Filtration: no
SO₂: unsulphurised
Alcohol content: 12.5%
Closure: Natural cork
Drinking temperature: 12-14 °C
Perfect drinking maturity: from now - 2035
Content and price per litre: 0.75 l/(€37.37/l)
All the winegrowers listed on Vinonudo work with compost, organic fertilisers and natural preparations in their vineyards and do not use herbicides, pesticides or artificial fertilisers.
