Erste + Neue is a high-quality cooperative of 400+ small growers in the Alto Adige, or Südtorol in German, which remains the first language of many families in this part of Italy. The coop was created in 1900, and all of the growers practice organic viticulture. In the Alto Adige, lagrein is the dark and savory yin to the bright and sunny schiava yang (schiava, or vernatsch in German, being the other prominent red variety in the region). Because this is an Alpine region, even yin retains a lifted freshness, with herbs, spices, and graphite lending liveliness to the dark fruits. This will be great with Tyrolean goulash, mushroom dishes, or aged Alpine cheese
