Erste + Neue translates to "First + New," a name that tells the story of a merger between two historic cooperatives in Alto Adige (the "First" from 1900 and the "New" from 1925). In this region, the cooperative model is king—and unlike in many other parts of the world, "co-op" here means exceptional quality. These wineries allow hundreds of tiny, family-owned plots to be vinified together with state-of-the-art technology, preserving the agricultural fabric of the South Tyrol. This specific wine is a Kalterersee Classico, an appellation that wraps around the stunning, sun-drenched Lake Caldaro (Kalterersee). This is the warmest area in Alto Adige, a microclimate where Mediterranean cypress trees grow alongside alpine firs. The star here is the Schiava grape (also known as Vernatsch). For centuries, this was the "daily bread" of the region—the wine that fueled the farmers and the workers. It is genetically wired to produce light, low-tannin wines that are meant to be consumed young and fresh. While the world chases heavy Cabernets, Erste + Neue has stayed true to this local treasure, protecting the old pergola-trained vines that define the lakeside landscape. It’s a delicious piece of Tyrolean history in a glass.