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Coming to Schiava's rescue

Urban Plattner of Alto Adige

Time is running out for Alto Adige's signature variety, which may – just – be rescued in time by members of a young elite such as Urban Plattner of Weingut In der Eben, pictured above.

I keep obsessing over Schiava, the pale, alpine red grape variety known for feather-light wines, but which a new generation, following in the footsteps of old stalwarts, has begun to turn into elegant wines with a much longer shelf life than its reputation would have it. It is the main reason why, for the second time, I had the audacity to leave the Schiava samples...