Behind the Cork™ - Domane Wachau Gruner Veltliner

2021 Domäne Wachau Grüner Veltliner Federspiel Tarrassen ($18.99)

Domäne Wachau is deeply rooted in the Wachau region of Austria and manages 30 percent of the entire Wachau vineyard area (400 hectares), including half of Austria’s most iconic vineyard, Achleiten. Additional famous vineyards such as Kollmitz, Liebenberg and Tausend-Eimer-Berg are found on the Domäne Wachau’s vineyard map and make it the only winery in the Wachau with wines from all of the most prestigious sites in the region.

The grapes for this Grüner Veltliner (grew-ner felt-lee-ner) Federspiel (11.5%-12.5% ABV) Terrassen are from steeply terraced vineyards above the Danube River, throughout the Wachau valley in Austria. It is here that two-thirds of the world’s Grüner Veltliner grapes are grown.

This wine is one of two key styles of Grüner Veltliner wine. It is lighter, fresher and with minerality and citrus character. And, like this one, is often bottled with a slight spritz that helps to emphasize its fresh fruity notes.

This wine is pale gold in color with aromas of green apple and citrus. On the palate, it has bright fruit flavors, very light bubbles, refreshing acidity and wonderfully light finish. This is a dry wine with just 1 g/l of residual sugar.

This is a super refreshing wine that should be well chilled. Cheers!

---

Samples Imported and Provided by Gonzalez Byass (via Donna White Communications)

Behind the Cork™ - Loess Grüner Veltliner by Domäne Wachau

2020 Loess Grüner Veltliner by Domäne Wachau - 1L ($14)

This Loess Grüner Veltliner (‘grew-ner felt-lee-ner’) from Domäne Wachau comes from small vineyard plots along the Danube riverbed in Austria. Loess (‘low-ss’) refers to the soil found in these vineyards that reflect wines that are slightly fresher and fruiter when compared to the wines produced from the gneiss (‘nice’) soils found in the steeper Wachau Valley vineyard slopes.

This wine is produced from hand-picked grapes that are certified Sustainable and Vegan.

This Grüner Veltliner is pale yellow in color with a delicate aroma of yellow apple and pear. On the palate this wine is medium-bodied with the typical tart acidity and white pepper notes (‘Pfefferl’) that end with a refreshing finish.

This Loess Grüner Veltliner is best enjoyed young, preferably in the first year. Well chilled at around 45 degrees F, it is an excellent wine, pure or as “G'spritzter” (mixed with sparkling water). This wine pairs well with the traditional Austrian cuisine such as deep-fried dishes like their famous “Wiener Schnitzel.”

And, with this 1 liter bottle, you’ll get to enjoy up to seven glass of this wonderfully refreshing wine! Cheers!

Domäne Wachau wines are imported by Gonzalez Byass USA.

---

Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission: I received this sample at no cost for review. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Samples Provided by Donna White Communications

Behind the Cork™ - Domäne Wachau Grüner Veltliner Federspiel

2019 Domäne Wachau Grüner Veltliner Federspiel ($14.99)

Grüner Veltliner is Austria’s most important grape variety. And this one is from the famous Wachau Valley noted for its steep terraced vineyards.

The word Federspiel in this wine’s name identifies it as one of three categories of wines from the Wachau Valley. Federspiel wines have a maximum alcohol content of 12.5% and Chaptalisation (The process of adding sugar to fermenting grapes to increase the final alcohol level) is strictly forbidden. The word Federspiel is derived from falconry which was a very popular leisure time activity among the nobility in Medieval times.

This wine is produced from 100% Grüner Veltliner grapes that are fermented in stainless steel tanks in order to preserve the fresh fruit flavors of the wine.

It is a bright yellow-green in color. On the nose it has vibrant aromas of green apple, citrus and cut grass. On the palate it is light and refreshing with crisp acidity and a long finish with hints of citrus.

Chill this one to 48 degrees F and enjoy with lighter fare such as fish, seafood and poultry or with the traditional Austrian cuisine of ‘Wiener Schnitzel.’ Cheers!

---

Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission: I received this sample at no cost for review. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Sample Provided by Rebekah Polster, Donna White Communications