"Less but better!" is the general consensus when it comes to assessing the wines from the 2012 harvest. Harvest yields are around ten percent below the long-term average. "Despite some weather-related challenges, the quality is consistently good," says Hans Terzer, cellar master at the St. Michael/Eppan winery and president of the South Tyrolean Cellar Masters. "The slightly lower sugar levels reduce the alcohol content in the wines, while the good acidity levels ensure freshness and elegance. The white wines also present themselves with beautiful fruit, full-bodied, fresh, salty, and mineral." Overall, the 2012 South Tyrolean white wines are very digestible, salty, juicy, and high-quality wines. Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, and Pinot Grigio in particular score highly with their elegance and fullness. The Sauvignons are characterized by inviting aromas, while the Gewürztraminers are distinguished by their fruity varietal character."

2012 is also a typical South Tyrolean Vernatsch vintage with a lot of varietal character. "The wines present themselves with intense colors and ripe, soft tannins. They are elegant, with fresh acidity and inviting drinkability—just as a typical Vernatsch should be," says Christian Plattner from the Waldgries estate in Bolzano. Among the red wines, Pinot Noir and Lagrein also perform very well. "The Pinot Noirs impress with their quality, elegance, and fruitiness. They are delicate and juicy, with smooth tannins and inviting fullness," says Christof Tiefenbrunner from the Turmhof Castle Winery in Kurtatsch, commenting on the vintage. "The Lagrein wines from the good vineyards are of equally good quality, with beautiful, intense fruit and ripe tannins." However, a year with such mixed weather as 2012 also produced some more average qualities. This is particularly noticeable in Merlot and Cabernet. The late-ripening Cabernet probably suffered the most from the rainfall at the end of the harvest. "Despite some fluctuations, we still expect Merlot and Cabernet to produce colorful, full-bodied, and very accessible wines that are easy to drink," adds Tiefenbrunner.