I am a solo traveler. A solo traveler with limited funds and transport by train and bus only. Therefore, it is impossibile to visit all of the winemakers I want to meet and taste with. With the end of my trip in sight, I began to wish for time travel or better yet, “beam me up” abilities. Or perhaps…… a wine festival? Yes! I wanted about 400 of Italy’s best winemakers and it would be good to throw in a few from France, Austria, and Germany. And what the hell, Serbia and Slovenia too! Well, the Wine Gods smiled down upon me and said “Signorina Whitney (they speak Italian), we give you the Merano Wine Festival (they are bilingual). Arrive on November 7.” Perfetto!
I spent three days in a beautiful historic building called the Kurhaus in the idyllic town of Merano. I was armed with a glass, a book of producers and the combined feeling of excitement and being completely overwhelmed. Where to go first? Which room? Should I taste all of Italy first, then move to Bordeaux? Should I start with Champagne or do that midday to cleanse the palate? What about the international rooms? Help! After a brief pep talk (with myself) in the ladies’ bathroom, I decided to just dive in and ask questions later.
I began the first day with 55 Italian biodynamic/organic producers which was one of my favorite days of tasting. These are producers making wine with the most minimal addition of sulfites, if any, and with no chemical treatment to the vineyards. Some are fermenting the wine without the use of temperature control and with only wild yeasts. It is a riskier process, but one I feel is worth the effort. The wine is just as outstanding as it’s conventional counterparts and much healthier. For your body and for the land. After three days of wine and food tastings, my palate was exhausted. I had run a marathon race with my mouth. I can’t even imagine what a festival like Vinitaly would be like. Perhaps an Iron Man race? In any case, I left Merano with a wine-stained glass and a lot of new friends. Was it everything I had hoped for? Yes, and more. Grazie Wine Gods. You’re the best!
