The Cellar: Elena Walch’s ‘Beyond the Clouds’

Friday, December 19, 2014

Steffen Rasch, GoLocalWorcester Wine Writer

In this installment of our ongoing series ‘The Making of a World Class Wine’ I am highlighting Elena Walch’s iconic Chardonnay-based white blend ‘Beyond the Clouds." More specifically, I will be featuring the 2011 vintage of this critically acclaimed wine; a wine that continues to impress wine critics across the world vintage after vintage.

Elena Walch

After having married into one of northern Italy’s most prestigious wine families in 1985, Winemaker Elena Walch soon took over operations of the Estate located in the northernmost Alto Adige wine growing region. One of the things Elena stated focusing on when she took over the Estate was to transform the vineyards by drastically lowering yields, using high quality clones and implementing higher density plantings.

Over the years Elena Walch has become one of the leading wineries in the region producing more than a dozen different wines from local varieties Lagrain and Schiava, as well as the international varieties including Riesling, Chardonnay, Merlot and most noticeably Gewürztraminer with which she makes some absolutely amazing wines. Elena’s work with Gewürztraminer is kind of legendary. It recently resulted in leading Italian food and wine magazine Gambero Rosso nicknaming her ‘the Queen of Gewürztraminer’. Today, the 136 acre Estate remains family-owned and operated, led by Elena Walch with her two daughters Julia and Karoline by her side.

The Wine

‘Beyond the Clouds’ is a proprietary blend of predominantly Chardonnay and ‘a selection of the Estate’s finest white grapes’. The grapes are picked once the star of the wine, the Chardonnay, reaches optimum maturity. All varieties are then crushed, pressed and fermented together in new French oak barrels. After fermentation the wine is left to age in the same oak barrels for up to a year with regular lees stirring. This is done to increase richness and complexity. The finished wine is then bottle aged for an additional 6 months before release.

While the exact composition of the 2011 vintage is a house secret, I would guess that there is at least a splash of Gewürztraminer in it. The nose is brimming with exotic fruits and very aromatic flowers – a characteristic I often associate with Gewürztraminer. On the palate the tropical fruit notes are repeated, alongside nerving citrus and hints of toasty oak. There is an amazing density of flavor and length to this wine – a trademark of really well-made juice. You can literally still taste the wines 3 minutes after you’ve swallowed and the flavors continue to evolve as you are savoring it.

This is an outstanding bottle of wine; a wine that has the structure to age for up to a decade. At around $65 per bottle this is an ideal holiday gift to any serious wine lover, especially one who appreciates dry, aromatic and full bodied white wines.

Cheers,

Steffen Rasch is a Certified Sommelier and Specialist of Wine. Feel free to email him at [email protected] with any wine-related question or learn about wine in person by signing up for one of his tastings through the Providence Wine Academy.

Related Slideshow: 10 New England Wine Getaways

Prev Next

Hardwick

Hardwick Vineyard & Winery

Central Mass’s own Hardwick Vineyard & Winery, open March-December, is a close to home treasure that produces 3,000 gallons of wine each year. The winery, which grows 6 varieties of grapes, is built on a quiet road in Hardwick that abuts the Quabbin Reservoir. Located on the property is a majestic 200 year old mansion. This weekend, take the trip to the vineyard to enjoy a wine tasting. Favorites include Massetts Cranberry and Yankee Girl Blush. If you head out on a Sunday; you’ll be in luck—the winery is hosting Sangria Sundays for the rest of the month.

3305 Greenwich Road, Hardwick, MA. (413) 967-7763.

Prev Next

Westport Rivers

Westport Rivers Vineyard & Winery

Tucked away on the southern coast of Massachusetts, Westport Rivers Vineyard & Winery, located about an hour’s drive from Worcester, is worth the trip. For only $10, you can take home a special edition etched wine glass and enjoy a tasting of up to six of their award-winning wines. While the tasting room is open Monday-Saturday, free winery tours are also offered to the public every Saturday from 1-3pm.

417 Hixbridge Rd, Westport, MA. (508) 636-3423.

Prev Next

Coastal Vineyards

A relatively young addition to the Massachusetts family of wineries and vineyards, Coastal Vineyards in South Dartmouth opened its doors in 2004. Coastal Vineyards grows eight varieties of grapes on their property, including Riesling, Merlot, Pinot Noir, and more. For a special treat, head over on Sunday for their Ugly Sweater Wine Party featuring acoustic musician Ryan Thaxter. Don your ugliest sweater to get 35% off your purchase—and a chance at a prize.

61 Pardon Hill Road, South Dartmouth, MA.

Prev Next

Amherst Farm Winery

Head out to one of Massachusetts’s favorite college towns this weekend to check out Amherst Farm Winery. Enjoy a wine tasting set in a cozy 19th century post and beam dairy barn. For only $5 receive a logo glass and a taste of 5 of their 15 wines, including unique flavors like chocolate raspberry, pumpkin frost, cranberry, and more. Bring a picnic and cozy up on their leather sofa by the fire to enjoy your wine with a snack.

529 Belchertown Road, Amherst, MA. (413) 253-1400.

Prev Next

Nashoba Valley WInery

Take the bite off the winter chill this weekend and take a drive to Nashoba Valley Winery in Bolton. The winery hosts tasting events everyday from 10am-4:30pm For $5, receive a free tasting glass and samples of up to five different wines. Some favorites include Strawberry Rhubarb Wine, Holiday Special Cranberry Apple (a new release in November 2013), and New English Cider. If you are in the mood for something other than wine (if that’s possible), check out their beer selection as well!

100 Wattaquadock Hill Road, Bolton, MA. (978) 779-5521.

Prev Next

Mill River Winery

Mill River Winery, located in Rowley, is the perfect wine destination for a mini-getaway. Enjoy the gorgeous winter scenery of Western Massachusetts as you wind through country roads to the winery. Mill River’s tasting room is housed in a refurbished cider mill, complete with eclectic décor that provides for an excellent tasting and shopping experience. Try their delicious Naked Chardonnay, a full bodied chardonnay with aromatic notes of lemon zest and pear. If you would like to get a “Dirt to Bottle Tour,” make sure to be at the winery at 2pm or 4pm Saturday or Sunday.

498 Newburyport Turnpike, Rowley, MA. (978) 432-1280.

Prev Next

Black Birch Vineyard

For only $6, get the full Black Birch Vineyard experience—tasting and a tour! Enjoy the great mix of contemporary and rustic décor of the tasting room and the local culture of this Massachusetts winery. While you’re in, be sure to try their award winning selection of reds and whites.

155 Glendale Road, Southampton, MA. (413) 527-0164.

Prev Next

Taylor Brook Winery

Located just over the border, Taylor Brook Winery in Woodstock, CT, is a hidden gem. This winery tends to over 2,000 vines of the finest grapes in the region. Head down to enjoy the country hospitality of this great local business, which offers tastings, bottles of their wine, and other great gift items for purchase. For a delicious winter wine, try their Winter Pomegranate.

848 Route 171, Woodstock, CT. (860) 974-1263.

Prev Next

Obadiah McIntyre Farm

Obadiah McIntyre Farm Winery

The Obadiah McIntyre Farm Winery is located on the Charlton Orchards Farm property. The winery is owned and operated by a family that has been in the business of growing fruit for over 50 years, and began making wine in 1999. They are dedicated to making the best tasting wines around. Every weekend until the end of December, join them for a tasting and see for yourself.

44 Old Worcester Road, Charlton, MA. (508) 248-7941.

Prev Next

Puttney Mountain Winery

Just over the Vermont border, Putney Mountain Winery located inside Basketville, has been making delicious local wines since the 1990s. All of their wines are crafted from local produce, which makes for the best tasting wine possible. If you’re toting the kids along for the day, the winery also sells juices made from locally grown produce, like their Putney Bubbly Vermont Sparkling Black Currant.

8 Bellows Falls Road, Putney, VT. (802) 387-5925.