Our Dancing Queen!

Mountain apple juice with pineapple

"It was the call of the south, and we followed it." So says Thomas Kohl when he begins to talk about his newest CUVEE creation. The table is set. I was told to come for brunch, and for good reason: food pairing is important to Thomas Kohl.

A foray into food pairing

Just as it matters to winemakers which dishes their wines pair with, there are also recommendations for the mountain apple juices from Obsthof Kohl. Because one plus one can be far more than two. And a skilful pairing of a dish and a mountain apple juice – single-variety or as a CUVEE – promises even greater enjoyment.

The first rendezvous with the new juice

And so it is a brunch that has brought me to Ritten. The new CUVEE of mountain apple juice and pineapple is already waiting, lightly chilled, for the pancakes to arrive. Before that, Thomas Kohl tells me what the new variety is all about and how it made its way to production readiness.

An idea is born

"The south of Italy gets extremely hot in summer. For many months the temperatures are high, and one of the main preoccupations during this time is managing the body's fluid balance. Lots of water is drunk, and people also love genuine, unadulterated juices made from fruits or berries.

People in this climate cultivate a culture of freshly pressed juices. The juices refresh, replenish fluids, and they are a delight. That must never be missing!"

A perfect pair

"The aroma of pineapple sings us a summery earworm. The texture of the juice is silky and smooth and pairs perfectly with mountain apple juice. The two juices meet each other on equal footing, so to speak. What I mean is: they are similar in consistency and colour and therefore get along splendidly right from the start.

The CUVEE contains 30% pineapple. We blend a fruit puree that contains no additives whatsoever with the apple juice. The pineapples are harvested fully ripe and therefore highly aromatic. Then they must be immediately processed into puree and sealed airtight. This way, their aroma stays as fresh as straight from the tree until we blend them with the apple juice."

Portrait of a Dancing Queen

The result is a CUVEE in which two juices dance together. Lively and characterful aromas from different worlds meet. They circle each other, embrace, and begin their dance on the palate.

Fresh, and with a well-structured base of mountain apple juice, the exotic interplay of aromas and the sunny sweetness of pineapple are elegantly integrated and balanced.

Of a beautiful yellow with green undertones, the CUVEE has a distinct pineapple fragrance and fresh, exotic aromas. The juice is lively yet harmonious, with a clean finish.

Taste, texture, colour, interplay of aromas – all together, the CUVEE becomes a juice for joyful moments, for a good start to the day. Perhaps with a few pancakes.