On April 25th, Christian Zechmeister, Managing Director of Wein Burgenland, presented a carefully curated selection of sparkling, white, red, and sweet wines from the eastern Austrian winemaking region of Burgenland to members of the wine media and trade. This introduction to the wines of Burgenland, organized by Wine & Co.’s Constance Chamberlain, was held at Koloman restaurant in New York City.
The crisp acidity, refreshing minerality, and vivacious fresh fruit character of most of these wines were perfect for the unseasonably warm day. The Burgenland terroir is characterized by a picturesque landscape of verdant hills and valleys, and the extensive Lake Neusiedl shoreline, and a continental and maritime climate defined by warm summers, cold winters, plenty of sunshine, and moderate annual precipitation. The soil varies from silt and sand-dominant, and limestone and mineral-rich, to a combination of these and other elements, depending on the subregion. These factors collectively contribute to the uniquely refreshing quality of wines from Burgenland.
Christian presented 19 wines at the seminar. These included a trio of petillant naturel or Pet-Nat (a gently sparkling wine produced from spontaneous fermentation), three traditional method sparkling wines, eight still white wines, a quartet of red wines, and a sweet wine. An additional eight wines were featured at the lunch reception.
Highlights from the afternoon included:
Sparkling wines (Pet-Nat)
Gruner Veltliner Pet Nat, 2023 (biodynamic)
Producer: Matthias Hager
Area: Mollands
100% Gruner Veltliner
Delicately effervescent, with a refreshing salinity and minerality, and notes of fresh apples, pears, and toast
Pretty Nats, 2023 (biodynamic)
Producer: Alex & Maria Koppitsch
Area: Neusiedl am See
100% Blaufrankisch
Fresh and vibrant, with a soft effervescence, a crisp acidity, and notes of red berries and pomegranate
Bambule! M, 2023 (biodynamic)
Producer: Judith Beck
Area: Gols
Blend of 90% Pinot Blanc and 10% Muskat Ottonel
Crisp, with an energetic and persistent effervescence, attractive minerality and acidity, and notes of fresh flowers and herbs, and citrus, summer, and tropical fruits
Sparkling wines (traditional method)
Gruner Veltliner Brut Sekt Austria NV
Producer: Sektkellerei Szigeti
Area: Gols
100% Gruner Veltliner
Clean and crisp, with balanced acidity and salinity, fine mousse, and notes of white and yellow flowers, lemons, green apples, and hazelnuts
Extra Brut Sekt Austria Reserve Niederosterreich g. U. NV
Producer: Brundlmayer
Area: Langenlois
Blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay
Crisp and lively, with refreshing acidity, fine and persistent mousse, and notes of honeysuckle, citrus and orchard fruits, vanilla, and baked brioche
Langenlois GroBe Reserve Blanc de Blancs Brut Nature NV
Producer: Loimer
Area: Langenlois
Blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, and Pinot Grigio
Crisp and zesty, with bright acidity and salinity, lively effervescence, and notes of ripe lemons and summer fruits, baked bread, and cashews
White wines (still)
Welschriesling Greenschist, 2023 (organic)
Producer: Straka
Area: Rechnitz
100% Welschriesling
Full-bodied and structured, with vibrant acidity and minerality, and notes of lemons, apples, almonds, and dried herbs
Gruner Veltliner Belle Naturelle, 2022
Producer: Jurtschitsch
Area: Langenlois
100% Gruner Veltliner
Balanced and well-rounded, with attractive minerality, and notes of ripe apples, peaches, and pears
Furmint, 2023 (biodynamic)
Producer: G+R Triebaumer
Area: Rust
100% Furmint
Light, delicate, and balanced, with lively acidity and minerality, and soft notes of citrus fruits and gooseberries
Graue Freyheit, 2022 (biodynamic and organic)
Producer: Gernot & Heike Heinrich
Area: Gols
Blend of Pinot Grigio, Pinot Blanc, Neuburger, and Chardonnay
Rich and medium-bodied, with balanced acidity, and notes of ripe citrus and pome fruits, baked apples and honey
Riesling Ried Smaragd Loibenberg, 2023
Producer: Alzinger
Area: Durnstein
100% Riesling
Crisp and refined, with mineral-driven vitality, and lively notes of lemons, pears, passion fruit, and papayas
Sweet wine (botrytis)
Beerenauslese, 2022
Producer: Heidl Schrock
Area: Rust
Blend of Welshriesling and Sauvignon Blanc
Rich and viscous, with balanced acidity, and notes of honeysuckle, candied citrus fruits and peels, dried pineapples, honey, and verdant spices
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