For all the riches it has to offer wine lovers, the alpine melting pot of Alto Adige remains a secret, guarded within Italy’s borders. Set amid the sawtooth limestone peaks of South Tyrol, this region’s wine culture has more in common with the neighbouring Austria and Germany than the rest of Italy. Combined with the cool, rocky alpine terroirs, these cultural influences play out in a range of wines that capture the spirit of our times: pulpy, mineral, mouth-watering whites and coolly vibrant, pleasingly juicy reds that are hard not to love. Girlan was founded a century ago as a small co-operative winery with 23 growers on their books. Now, under Gerhard Kofler and Oscar Lorandi, Girlan has crafted a cast-iron reputation as one of the region’s standard bearers. The Adige produces many outstanding wines, the best of which deservedly sit in the upper price ranges. Many of these wines represent traditions that reach back centuries. So, to have a producer that offers such value and wines made with purpose is something to cherish. For buyers looking to Europe for diversity and value, few wines will deliver more bang for your buck.