THE BEST OF THE BEST

‘Excellence is a an attitude.’ This is the credo of Helmuth Köcher, founder and president of the Merano WineFestival. He is the Winehunter, and every year he and his teams set out on the hunt for quality wines, outstanding gastronomic products and the best spirits and beers. The selection process for producers who are allowed to present their products at the Merano WineFestival is extremely rigorous. Only the best are included.

The targeted selection process ensures that the prestigious Winehunter Award is only given to outstanding products. The tasting committees put the products through their paces in advance, and anything that does not score at least 90 out of 100 points is not included. The remaining candidates are then divided into three categories: the Winehunter Award Rosso from 90/100 points or the Winehunter Award Gold from 93/100 points. The cream of the crop is the Winehunter Award Platinum, which is reserved for products that have received at least 96/100 points from the tasting commission.

 

Wine Award

Traditionally, the Merano Wine Festival provides the perfect backdrop for the presentation of the Winehunter Awards. This year, the Platinum Awards for special achievements and outstanding products were presented in the evocative setting of the Puccini Theatre. The local wine industry did very well: of the 53 Winehunter Awards Platinum, South Tyrolean wineries won eight.

This is essentially a continuation of the trend that has been evident over the last two decades. Strict cultivation and production requirements have resulted in South Tyrol achieving a quota of approximately 96 per cent (source: suedtirolwein.com) of DOC/DOP-certified quality wines. This puts the region among the top wine-producing areas in Italy.

These are the South Tyrolean wines that received the Platinum Award:

Andrian Winery | 2022 Tor Di Lupo Alto Adige / South Tyrol Riserva DOC

Girlan Winery | 2021 Curlan Alto Adige / South Tyrol Riserva Pinot Noir DOC

St. Michael Eppan Winery | 2010 Sanct Valentin Alto Adige / South Tyrol Sauvignon DOC

Terlan Winery | 2012 Rarity Alto Adige / South Tyrol Terlaner DOC

Tramin Winery | 2023 Nussbaumer Alto Adige / South Tyrol Gewürztraminer DOC

Manincor Winery | 2022 Mason Di Mason Alto Adige / South Tyrol DOC

Nals Margreid Winery | 2021 Nama Alto Adige / South Tyrol Chardonnay DOC

Schreckbichl-Colterenzio Winery | 2021 LR Alto Adige / South Tyrol White Riserva DOC

There is also good news for the South Tyrolean wine industry from the Dolcissimo Award, the award for outstanding sweet wines. They go to:

Nals Margreid Winery | 2022 Baronesse Alto Adige/South Tyrol Goldmuskateller DOC

Kurtatsch Winery | 2023 USHAS Alto Adige / South Tyrol Mitterberg Rosenmuskateller IGT 

Food Award

The complexity of good taste and respect for elaborately processed natural products to create unique foods. These are the criteria for a presentation at Culinaria during the Merano Wine Festival. For four days, visitors were able to taste the best products from agriculture and livestock farming, from the great art of cuisine and patisserie, and choose their favourites. It's not easy to keep track of everything when your nose is still filled with the truffle-scented air and your eyes are sending sweet impulses to your brain at the sight of a torronata. Diversity is the trump card at Culinaria.

Unfortunately, there are no South Tyrolean products among the platinum award winners in the food category. Although quality products in this region meet high standards, the competition from the rest of Italy is probably too strong in this competition. Due to its geographical location and harsh climatic conditions, the variety of agricultural products from South Tyrol remains rather limited.

Spirit & Beer Award

A multiple award winner, a market leader in the spirits sector has once again won a Winehunter Award Platinum. Nonino has made a name for itself far beyond its borders. The use of fresh raw materials such as pomace, grapes and fruit without intermediate storage, with elaborate production processes, guarantees the highest purity and authentic aromas. 

Honour Award

Wine, gastronomy, spirits and beer – but who is responsible for all these great products?

Basically, it is people who have recognised the potential of the raw materials provided by nature. And with an appreciation for above-average quality, passion and a lot of hard work, they have created outstanding products.

The Winehunter has instituted the Honour Award for these individuals and organisations who combine outstanding achievements, innovative and creative measures, passion and unity, competence, professionalism and structure based on tradition and healthy foresight for the future in their own products.

The South Tyrolean wine industry is represented by one of its leading figures, and the Honour Award for Genius deservedly went to Hans Terzer, the oenologist of the St. Michael Eppan winery, who is known far beyond the region's borders.

Cult Oenologist Award 

And last but not least, a key figure in the wine industry was also honoured with an award: The oenologist, the person who makes good und bad days in the vineyard. They have in-depth knowledge as experts in viticulture, fermentation and cellar technology, quality control and marketing. Oenology courses are now offered at universities with bachelor's or master's degrees. A factotum, then, who puts their own stamp on the winery's products. The Cult Oenologist awards went to Franco Bernabei, Nicola Biasi, Giuseppe Caviola, Stefano Chioccioli, Riccardo Cotarella, Luca D'Attoma, Emiliano Falsini, Carlo Ferrini, Donato Lanati and Vincenzo Mercurio.

Sources:

Meranowinefestival.it

Winehunter.it

smstudiopr.it

Suedtirolwein.com