Gruner veltliner Flashcards
Wachau vs Kamptal vs Traisental
Steep Terraces. Noble Grapes. Monumental Wines.
The Wachau is a UNESCO world heritage site and region of natural beauty, and lies in the Danube valley between the towns of Melk and Krems. The varieties Grüner Veltliner and Riesling prevail on 1,350 hectares, partly on very steep-inclined terraces. The best vineyard sites produce some of the best white wine in the world with decades of aging potential.
mid-1980’s, a select group of innovative producers in the Wachau created their own codex, aptly called the Vinea Wachau, where dry white wines are divided into three categories, based on their natural alcohol content by volume. Aromatic, light-bodied wines up to 11.5% are called ‘Steinfeder’ (named after the tall, feather-like grass stipa pennata). The most common category is the ‘Federspiel’, with 11.5% to 12.5% alcohol by volume, and the late-harvest, rich and powerful, dry wines carry the term ‘Smaragd’.
The Wachau is one of Austria’s most exciting and fascinating wine regions. Over millions of years, the Danube has gorged its winding waterway through the consolidated gneiss and amphibolite. The crystalline rock soils on steep terraces produce outstanding Rieslings. During the Ice Age vegetation cover was poor and, prevailing winds carried drifting sand that settled in the lee of the east-facing crystalline hillsides, resulting in layers of loess. This is where great, opulent and expressive Grüner Veltliner is cultivated. The extremely diverse geological terrain, coupled with the construction of terraces in the best aspects, and the cultivation of vines on these steep inclines by the Bavarian monasteries during the Middle Ages, has resulted in a spectacular and unique Wachau landscape.
Kamptal gets its name from the river Kamp, that flows directly through it, and is also home to Austria’s largest wine-producing town, Langenlois. With a vineyard area of 3,802 hectares, Kamptal is one of the most successful wine regions in Austria, and boasts a high proportion of outstanding, quality wine producers. Culture and tourism also play a significant role and effective from the 2008 vintage, the Kamptal DAC defines wines made from Grüner Veltliner or Riesling in two styles, a classic-styled medium-bodied wine and a rich, opulent dry Reserve style.
Vineyard area
3,802 ha
Principal grape varieties
Grüner Veltliner, Riesling
Leading viticultural towns
Langenlois, Zöbing, Gobelsburg, Kammern, Strass
A picture shows a panorama view over Kamptal
© AWMB / Komitee Kamptal
Kamptal boasts a variety of terroir, ranging from loess to gravel to crystalline sites and red feldspathic sandstones and conglomerates, as on the highly regarded Heiligenstein. The name derives from the blazing sunshine that cause a hot and dry microclimate. The geological development of the rock is rather special, is between 320 and 250 million year olds, formed desert-like conditions as a flashflood deposit and includes volcanic particles.
traisental: Grüner Veltliner represents the greatest proportion of planted varieties with a share of 60 percent, more than any other Austrian wine-growing region. Riesling is also a significant speciality of Traisental. The vines are predominantly planted on narrow terraces with arid, very calcareous gravel soils, giving the wines quite a unique tasting profile, with a full body and compact structure. The mineral structure supports the flavour and vibrant acidity, giving the wines a long aging potential. The specific climatic factors, where the Pannonian plain influences meet the cool breezes from the Alps result in warm days and cool nights, the perfect recipe for precise and delicate aromas and elegant spice.
knoli loibner
wachau- Hints of moss, yeast and freshly zested orange peel edged with pine honey initially suggest a dry wine. It is only on the palate that the richer and sweeter Auslese character comes to bear—again in the guise of dark, aromatic pine honey. The concentrated, deliciously bitter zestiness of the acidity, paired with the aromatically dark and equally bitter edge of the resinous honey provide a wonderful structure. While sweetness peaks up, it never gains the upper hand. This is a tight-rope walker of a wine with immense balance and poise. Glints of vanilla pod, candied peel and white pepper open up, vista after vista. If you are new to Grüner Auslese, this is the one to get you hooked
nikolaihof- wachau
The 2013 Grüner Veltliner Hefeabzug shows a clear and citrus-fresh bouquet with subtle pip fruit aromas on the nose, including hints of ginger. With 12% alcohol, this is a light to medium-bodied but stunningly complex, intense and tension-filled wine with a pure and lingering mineral character and a lovely piquant acidity. In its mineral character, the 2013 Hefeabzug reminds me more of a Muscadet than a so called classic Veltliner from Austria and this – for sure – is meant as a positive comment.
gruner veltliner
Grüner Veltliner Taste Profile
FRUIT FLAVORS (berries, fruit, citrus)
Lime, Lemon, Grapefruit, Nectarine
OTHER (herb, spice, flower, mineral, earth, other)
White Pepper, Iris, Green Bean, Radish, Lovage, Tarragon, Ginger, Honey
OAK FLAVORS (flavors added with oak aging)
Brazil Nut, Cream, Wax Pepper
GRŰNER VELTLINER SERVING TEMPERATURE
46 ºF (7 ºC)
ACIDITY
High
SIMILAR VARIETIES
Dry Riesling, Grenache Blanc, Muscadet, Picpoul, Vermentino, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Blanc, Grenache Blanc, Colombard, Gros Manseng
SYNONYMS
Veltlinské Zelené (Czech)
Meat Pairings
Veal, Turkey, Kidney, Chicken, Pork Chops, Paté, Terrine, Egg. Fish including Haddock, Trout, Halibut, Snapper, Fresh Grilled Sardines, Anchovies, Caviar, Shrimp, Mussels, Clams
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Spices and Herbs
Ginger, White Pepper, Chives, Shallots, Lime, Lemon, Tarragon, Dill, Cumin, Coriander, Green Onion, Turmeric, Green Cardamom, Allspice, Sichuan Pepper, Sumac, Sansho, Shiso, Mace, Lemon Balm, Curry Leaves, Madras Curry blend, Capers, Zahtar Spice blend
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Cheese Pairings
Soft Cheeses. Cow’s or Goat’s milk. Look for rich creamy cheeses such as Camembert and fresh cheeses like ricotta or paneer.
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Vegetables & Vegetarian Fare
Light & Zesty
Most Austrian Grüner Veltliner imported into the United States are in this style. The bottles are usually dark green and the wine itself is a very pale green. Plan on drinking this type of Grüner Veltliner young, within 1-2 years of the vintage and don’t be surprised to see tiny bubbles. Expect hair-raising acidity and flavors of green bean and lime zest. Grüner Veltliner is best served ice-cold on a hot summer day.
Rich & Nutty with a Tingly Finish
This style of Grüner Veltliner is much richer but still has Grüner’s hallmark acidity. Imagine rich textured layers of lemon, honey, nuts and a feint creaminess. Winemakers use their best fruit for this style and often label their wines “Reserve”. Expect this style of Grüner Veltliner to be available 3-6 years after its vintage date and have a rich gold-green hue.
hirsch heilligenstien
This rich version is full of ripe peach, apple compote and pear flavors, with notes of golden raisin and custard. Allspice and nutmeg accents show on the finish, revealing some savory herbal elements. Drink now through 2017. (Web-2013)
K&L Notes
91 points Richard Jennings: “Light green-tinged yellow color; aromatic, celery seed, mineral nose; tasty, celery seed, mineral palate with medium acidity; medium-plus finish.” (RJonWine.com, 1/24/2013) And from the winery’s note: “A showcase wine for Austria’s classic white grape variety that comes from the loess and loam soils typical of the lower parts of the Heiligenstein vineyard which belongs to the village of Kammern. Fragrances of sweet vegetables and fruits mingle with elegant spice aromas; this wine is equally supple, substantial and satisfying.”
stadt krems
Ripe, rounded green pear flavors gain edge from peppery, herbal notes and the verve of zesty lemon acidity. The conference pear flavors shine through to the very end to provide zesty, savory pleasure.
— (7/1/2015) — 91
markus huber
by Anne Krebiehl, MW
Green pear aromas are joined by a playful, floral note and lifted lightness; on the slender palate there is peppery arugula, too. A super-refreshing summer white.
— (8/1/2014) — 89
