Northern Italians...

I just picked up a few bottles from the Italian North today. I think because I usually go for Germany, Austria, and Northern France, these wines are under-appreciated at my house. I do like the producers, and generally love Alto Adige and Collio, but haven't had these particular wines. Any insight before I go a-poppin? Anyone?

Gravner Bianco Breg 1997 -Collio $100
J. Hofstaetter Barthenau Vigna a.Urbano Pinot Nero 2000 -Alto Adige $72
Abbazia di Novacella Veltliner -Alto Adige 2006 $30

Danke,

All of the wines I've had from Abbazia have been terrific. Very good/reliable producer.
I've also liked all the Hofstaetters I've had as well. Seems a bit pricey for AA Pinot.
Gravner.....that's another matter. Always expensive. Very idiosyncratic wines. Not to everyone's taste. If you bite, try it w/ an open mind.
Tom

Tom,

I've tasted Hofstaetter's 'cheaper' Pinot Nero and liked it a lot. I guess the Barthenau is 'Italys finest Pinot Noir', hence the price. I'll open it this weekend and post. It'll (the Novacella) be my first Italian Veltliner -I had to buy it. The Gravner came with the caveat that they are indeed bizarre wines. This one is barrel fermented (a practice not employed so much at the Estate anylonger?). It should be fun.

That's a lot of money for those wines, but you should not be disappointed. Lot of interesting wines in the North/Northeast of Italy. I look forward to your notes.