2024 Alois Lageder "Misto Mare" Bianco

The Lageder wine company recently celebrated its bicentennial anniversary, making it one of the oldest wineries in the Alto Adige. Alois Lageder IV is the head of the operation these days, and he continues to promote biodynamic and organic viticulture as the best way forward for this classic and culturally distinctive alpine growing region. Inspired by the diversity of the Dolomites, "Misto Mare" blends grapes from sustainable and biodynamically farmed vineyards of their vintner partners that are in conversion. This wine unites over 14 grape varieties from new partners, including white and red grapes sourced from various regions of Alto Adige, showcasing a range of altitudes and soils. The combination of different grape varieties reveals a captivating complexity. The name Misto Mare originates from the fact that Alto Adige was once covered by a vast ocean (Mare) 200 million years ago, while Misto translates to mixed, signifying the blend of multiple grapes. The label was created by acclaimed Finnish artist, Klaus Haapaniemi, who is celebrated for his imaginative and intricate illustrations. This is a brilliantly aromatic white, clearly showing the inclusion of some varieties in the muscat and traminer families. We'd love to have this with fondue, and it would also pair well with Szechuan and other capsicum-dominant flavors.