S.l.m. is not some odd grape variety nor a strange name for a wine producer. No, it is simply the Italian expression for altitude, sopra livello mare.
It is exactly on 448 meter’s altitude where you would like to be when temperatures reach 35 C at night in Florence at 11 PM. And not a hint of a breeze. Since I could not reach those heights I had to settle for a wine with that name, 448 SLM. Fresh, nice refreshing acidity and quaffable. And not expensive. the grape varieties are pinot grigion, pinot bianco, and sauvignon. The name of the producer is Girlan. It is a co-operative in Trentino Alto Adige and the make very good wines in spite of a very broad range. And when one finds a wine with a good elevation on just have to try it.
448 s.l.m is around 10€ and goes nicely with rice, fish and as an aperitif hot summer nights. Either you are in Florence or anywhere else. www.girlan.it (Ed.: please send some of that heat up north!)
