Alois Lageder, Alto Adige DOC (Italy) Pinot Grigio 2018

 Tasting the wines of Alois Lageder is a bit like transporting directly to the alpine region of Alto Adige, where apple orchards blanket the verdant valleys, and cool climate vineyards cling to the foothills and hillsides.  As one of the leading biodynamic producers in the region, Alois Lageder is also a proponent of innovation, and this Pinot Grigio is a case in point.  This is a blend of three separate processes, including a direct press portion, a portion that rested on skins for 15 hours, and a third portion placed in contact with stems and skins for about one year.  The result is a beautifully complex and provocative wine that elevates Pinot Grigio to a different level.