WTN: Müller goes to school

I've always thought the co-ops of Italy make some of the best wine at competitive prices out there (think Produttori as a prime example). So, looking at a pretty nondescript label that makes Ridge labels look baroque, I read with interest that the wine was made at a school. Not just any school, but the Institute Agricole Regional in the Valle'e d'Aoste. How freaking cool is that? An Alpine training camp for future winemakers! There are several (if not more) varieties made there and the 2008 Müller Thurgau grabbed my attention first.
The color is a medium-deep lemon curd yellow, with a floral citrus nose. The palate offers even more, with honeysuckle, lemon chiffon ice cream, lemon curd, sweet grapefruit, and a thyme-sage butter finish. This is ridiculously good stuff, and very refreshing in 86F weather. Twenty-bucks gets you a bottle. 13% I don't know where these show up outside of Massachusetts. Drink now or soon for it's vivacity and calming spa properties. Sometimes going to school is the ticket to success. B+/A-

Hi Mark -

Thank you for the interesting note. Although I have tried - and liked - several of the IAR wines, this is not one that I have had. Generally, I'm not much of a Müller-Thurgau fan, though.

The basic IAR front labels have changed, however. Now they contain just about every detail that they can think of about the terroir, vinification, etc. relevant to the given bottle of wine. This is one producer that won't be accused of not giving enough information about their wines on their labels! I also remember that their Vin de Chanoines label used to show a priest riding a bicycle.

... Now they contain just about every detail that they can think of about the terroir, vinification, etc. relevant to the given bottle of wine. This is one producer that won't be accused of not giving enough information about their wines on their labels!

Andrew, yep, just have to be able to read copious Italian! At least you can get these in your neck of the woods, since the importer is based in Mass.