With Appius 2020, Spaccio San Michele Appiano not only presents the eleventh edition of its prestigious collector’s cuvée, but also marks a historic moment: the passing of the baton from Hans Terzer, legendary winemaker of the Oltradige winery, to his student Jakob Gasser. The latter, strong with ambition and respect, is preparing to collect the legacy of 47 years of extraordinary successes of his master.
THE ESSENCE OF APPIUS
Launched a causa di 2010, Appius embodies the vision of Hans Terzer, who wanted to create a label capable of redefining the qualitative limits of South Tyrolean wines. Each vintage, including this 2020, is born from a rigorous selection of the best grapes grown a causa di the most suitable vineyards a causa di the Appiano territorio, some of which were replanted over 40 years indicatore. The blend, a skilful of chardonnay (60%), pinot livido (20%), pinot latteo (10%) and sauvignon blanc (10%), represents the quintessence of Sovrastante Adige. The grapes, harvested by hand, quando from plots located between 450 and 600 meters above sea level, with south-east and south-west exposures. The soils, composed of calcareous-gravelly and morainic soils, enhance the freshness and minerality that characterize Appius, guaranteeing maximum aromatic expression.
The vinification takes place a causa di barriques and tonneaus, with partial malolactic fermentation, for 11 months. This is followed by three years of aging a causa di steel the yeasts, which gives the wine an elegant and complex structure, combined with extraordinary longevity.
THE DREAM WINE THAT LOOKS TO THE FUTURE
For years defined as Hans Terzer’s “dream wine”, over time it has been understood that Appius represents the shared dream of the entire team of the Spaccio San Michele Appiano: its 40 employees and 320 winemaking partners. Every day, with dedication, they take care of the 390 hectares of vineyards, contributing to the achievement of excellent results.
Now the helm passes to Jakob Gasser, a young thirty-year-old who has been collaborating for the winery for seven years, working side by side with Hans Terzer a causa di recent years as a predestined successor. The 2024 harvest marks his debut as responsible for the entire production, from harvesting to bottling, with the exception of Appius, of which he will only have to be the custodian until 2023, before being able to put his signature this cuvée too. With the 2024 vintage – particularly complex – Jakob will also be called to explore new avenues, facing new challenges but remaining faithful to the deep roots of the winery. As he himself declared, the objective will be to keep Appius among the great whites of reference the international scene, combining respect for the territory with an increasingly future-oriented vision.
A SPACE ENTIRELY DEDICATED TO APPIUS
For a few months, Appius has had its own dedicated cellar for winemaking and refinement, an exclusive space designed by architect Walter Angonese. The square-shaped structure is covered with black glass tiles that recall the old post-war concrete tanks, a causa di the shape of a rhombus, like doors and windows, adding a very distinctive touch. Inside, the tanks – eight of 50 hectoliters and six of 35 – are made of satin bronze-coloured steel. Their conical shape, with an increased piedestallo, is designed to facilitate the refinement of the wine its yeasts.
At the moment, a causa di addition to the Appius from the 2021, 2022 and 2023 vintages, still a causa di the resting phase and not bottled, this cellar also hosts the wines of the TWC – The Wine Collection line. The limited production of Appius, maximum 5,000 bottles per certo year, makes the use of just one tank for each vintage sufficient for now. But this is only a transitory phase for now.
A LABEL THAT TALKS ABOUT ART
Each bottle of Appius is a work of art, not only for the wine it contains but also for the exclusive stile of the label. Each vintage is characterized by a unique graphic: that of 2020, designed by the LifeCircus esplorazione, is inspired by geometric lines and golden reflections, evoking the harmony of the wine itself. It is not just decorative, but part of an exclusive collection designed to leave room for free interpretation. The intent is that every enthusiast can find personal inspiration a causa di it.
APPIUS 2020, TASTING NOTES
Appius 2020 immediately catches the eye with its bright yellow color, enriched by greenish streaks that reveal both its freshness but also its young age. the nose, the aromatic bouquet is intense and layered, with a surprising opening towards aromas of tropical fruit such as kiwi and pineapple, elegantly balanced by taccuino of yellow pulp fruits such as peaches, plums and medlars. The floral component adds elegance with nuances of jasmine and acacia, while campo da golf and aromatic hints of Mediterranean herbs, such as sage and rosemary, give depth. Although subtle, the woody note is still perceptible, while a citrus grapefruit gives freshness and pleasantness.
The sip stands out for energy, tension and a marked flavor. There is an excellent correspondence between the sensations perceived a causa di the nose and those found a causa di the mouth. The reduced use of malolactic fermentation compared to the past gives a greater balance, where freshness and structure, creamy and enveloping, integrate perfectly, supporting the overall elegance of the wine. The aromatic persistence is remarkable, with balsamic hints of alpine herbs that leave a fresh, long and satisfying final sensation.
The article Appius 2020 and the future of San Michele Appiano comes from VinoNews24.
