The increasing alcoholic strength of most of the wines in recent years recently fuelled fears that climate change would sooner or later take a little of the pleasure out of South Tyrol's wines. The current results suggest that we worried too soon. It has been a long time since we were able to taste so many lively, fresh and elegant wines here. More and more hitherto little-known or completely new small wineries are appearing on the scene, competing with great skill and commitment against the trend towards ever more powerful wines. The established wineries and cellars have also taken up the challenge. And even where the alcohol is high, the wines today often seem noticeably more polished and refined than before.