Mezzacorona offers a taste of the Alps for a hot summer

Mezzacorona, a world-class wine sanctuary nestled in the heart of the Dolomites, celebrates summer with its range of hand-harvested Castel Firmian wines.

Summer is without a doubt, the season for white wines. From fruity, floral Italian Pinot Grigio aperitifs to perfect meal companions such as mineral-rich, crisp Sauvignon Blanc, a great wine enjoyed in good company is sure to bring the sunshine to any gathering. For a taste of Trentino, Castel Firmian adds an extra layer of intrigue to the table with single-varietal wines that celebrate the region’s diverse terroir.

The winery’s offerings are born and crafted in northern Italy, where vineyards extend across the region, lining the pristine banks of the Adige Valley, the gentle shores of Lake Garda, and reaching into the valleys and steep slopes of the Dolomites. Trentino’s winemaking legacy is rooted in its mountainous viticulture, fertile soils and a combination of continental and Alpine climates. These conditions are ideal for growing both white and red varieties, resulting in wines that are healthy, crisp and flavourful, with intense aromas, balanced profiles and pleasant acidity.

Mezzacorona, one of the most renowned Italian cooperatives, has been dedicated to crafting wines for more than 120 years, honouring tradition and showcasing a deep understanding of the land and grape varieties. The winery is also committed to blending sustainability with innovation, producing exceptional wines that meet the desires of even the most discerning drinkers.

Castel Firmian-labelled DOC wines offer an opportunity to experience the region’s single varieties in their purest form – hand-harvested from small, pristine vineyards, creating wines with a balanced bouquet and rich aromatic intensity. These wines are designed to perfectly complement both Italian and international cuisine, ideal for warm days transitioning into cool evenings.

Included in the range are two Pinot Grigio wines – Castel Firmian Pinot Grigio Trentino DOC and Castel Firmian Riserva Trentino DOC – alongside two further single-varietal wines made from Sauvignon Blanc and Merlot.

Authentic Pinot Grigio

International grape variety Pinot Grigio – also known as Ruländer – thrives in the sun-drenched vineyards of Trentino’s fertile valleys. The region’s consistent breezes and significant day-to-night temperature differences enhance the grape’s aromatic finesse. Initially reserved in character, Pinot Grigio from Trentino becomes unexpectedly expressive as the wine opens, showcasing delicate floral aromas and a crisp, fruity flavour.

Castel Firmian Pinot Grigio Trentino DOC features fruity aromas reminiscent of pear, complemented by floral notes of camomile and magnolia. This elegant and well-balanced white wine pairs perfectly with appetisers, white meats and seafood. For an even more refined representation of authentic Pinot Grigio, Castel Firmian’s Riserva Trentino DOC is crafted from grapes grown in the most terroir-driven vineyards, located northeast of the town of Mezzocorona. There, the shape of the grape clusters and the copper-grey colour of the Pinot Grigio grapes highlight their close relationship with the Pinot Noir variety from which they are believed to have derived.

The Riserva range exemplifies the craft of winemaking, made only in superior vintages from meticulously chosen grapes, resulting in unique, distinctive wines tailored for discerning, refined palates. Castel Firmian Pinot Grigio Riserva Trentino DOC is a harmonious and elegant wine that highlights mature notes of vanilla, along with the freshness and floral characteristics for which Trentino’s Pinot Grigio is renowned. Its bouquet is rich and complex, featuring ripe white peach and pear aromas, with hints of camomile, beautifully enhanced by ageing in wooden casks. It shines paired with oven-baked pasta dishes, polenta and white meat entrées, and is particularly well-suited to accompanying tagliatelle with porcini mushroom sauce.

Vibrant Sauvignon Blanc

Sauvignon Blanc is well-known for its crispness and vibrant minerality, which reflect the rocky soils where the grapes are cultivated. The unique territory and climate of Trentino create an ideal environment for this variety to thrive, particularly on the mid-altitude hills, which experience significant diurnal temperature fluctuations, essential for optimal acidity development in the grapes. As a result, the climate allows Sauvignon Blanc to obtain a distinctive, vibrant and powerful aromatic profile.

Perfect for summer get-togethers, Castel Firmian Sauvignon Blanc Trentino DOC is a well-balanced single-varietal white wine that features vegetal notes such as tomato leaf and green pepper, complemented by hints of gooseberry and elderflower. This wine pairs wonderfully with rich dishes, including smoked and grilled fish, shrimp, white meats served with polenta or mashed potatoes, as well as asparagus-based dishes and mildly aged cheeses.

Supple Merlot

While white wine offers refreshing lightness on warm days, Castel Firmian’s ruby-red Merlot Trentino DOC delivers complex, structured notes of ripe plums, red cherries and woodland fruits to spice up cooler evenings. The wine is further enriched by subtle hints of vanilla, which come from a short period of ageing in fine oak barriques.