There is nothing quite so pleasing as a glass of Austrian white wine on a hot and sundrenched summer day. These wines crafted from white varietals like Gruner Veltliner and Riesling to name a few, offer the vibrant acidity and balanced minerality that make them synonymous with freshness and purity. It’s equally great as an appetite-stimulating aperitif as it is a complement to regional Austrian dishes such as wiener schnitzel and spaetzle, as well as simply prepared and spicy seafood-centered international fare including sushi and shrimp fra diavolo.
White wines produced from Gruner Veltliner and Riesling in vineyards situated around the Danube River are typically fresh and vivacious.
Gruner Veltliner has an energetic acidity, and lively citrus and orchard fruit and vegetal notes. Fermentation in stainless steel tanks usually produce crispy and zesty citrus-driven wines, while barrel fermentation and lees aging often result in fuller-bodied and more structured wines with tropical fruit and nutty notes.
Riesling tends to exhibit a well-rounded acidity and minerality, coupled with ripe apricot, peach, and papaya notes. Aged Riesling can take on a floral, dried and preserved fruit, and petrol character. Sweet Riesling produced from botrytised grapes are rich and floral, with a candied orchard fruit, nutty, and honey notes.
Constance Chamberlain of Wine and Co., LLC organized a casual tasting of Austrian wines from seven producers at River Park in New York City.
Here’s a list of some fantastic Gruner Veltliner and Riesling that were featured at the event:
Domaine Wachau DAC Federspiel, Gruner Veltliner, Ried Liebenberg, 2023
Domaine Wachau DAC Smaragd, Riesling, Ried Achleiten, 2022
Durenberg, Weinviertel DAC Reserve, Gruner Veltliner, Ried Rabenstein, 2021
Durenberg, Osterreich, Gruner Veltliner, Elementum, 2020
Stift Kloster Neuburg, Wagram DAC, Gruner Veltliner, Ried Hengsberg, Kloster Neuburg, 2022
Esterhazy, Burgenland, Gruner Veltliner, Estoras, 2022
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