AUSTRIAN ALPS APRES SKI À LA NICHE NICHE
The Wines…
Meinklang, Foam White 2019
Region: Burgenland
Grape: Pinot Gris
Wine Notes: Made from skin macerated Pinot Gris, the Meinklang Foam is an orange sparkling Pet-Nat with bright aromas and complex flavors (yellow-fleshed fruit, hints of olive, etc.). There is a wonderful balance on the palate between the refreshingly crisp acidity and the creaminess from the lees contact (6-8 months on fine lees).
Fun Fact: The Pinot Gris comes from Meinklang's Graupert Vineyard. This vineyard is special because it is not pruned; the Pinot Gris has the total freedom to grow and climb according to the vines’ basic instincts.
Nigl, Grüner Veltliner Freiheit 2019
Region: Kremstal
Grape: Grüner Veltliner
Wine Notes: Martin Nigl’s Freheit is sourced from 4 different vineyards in the hills above the city of Krems. The soils here are primarily löss and the temperature is moderated by its steep elevation. The name Freiheit means “freedom” and is believed to be some of the first privately owned vineyard land in the valley not controlled by the Church or a feudal estate. Fermentation and elevage occur in stainless steel and is bottled at night when the cellars of the coolest has Martin feels this helps preserve the freshness of the wines.
An exuberant style, gaining a fizzy impression from the minerality. The core expresses peach, tarragon and cardamom details, but the savoriness takes the front seat. Very well-built, with focused acidity and a vivid structure. Echoing finish.
Weingut Knoll, Loibner Riesling Ried Loibenberg Smaragd 2017
Region: Wachau
Grape: Riesling
Wine Notes: These wines are exceptionally rare. Emmerich Knoll III, an exuberant spokesperson for the Wachau region, farms the family’s 15 hectares of land and crafts wines that clearly express the Unterloiben terroir where some of Austria’s most famous vineyards can be found. This family run winery is a treasure that has been estate owned and operated for over three generations. For the Riesling harvest is selective , no destemming, no skin contact, stainless steel and cask fermentation for 10-20 days. 6-8 months on the lees. Ripe, aromatic and full of intense peach, smoke and mineral flavors, it builds and builds on the palate to a lingering finish. The sleek structure melds effortlessly with the dense texture.
Knoll wines are easily recognized by their distinct label that depicts an ornate image of St. Urban, the patron saint of winemakers and vineyards. While in the Wachau, one can also dine at the family’s acclaimed, 400 year old restaurant, Loibnerhof Familie Knoll.
Moric, Reserve Blaufränkisch 2013
Region: Burgnenland
Grape: Blaufränkisch
Wine Notes: The wines are fermented spontaneously and aged in neutral oak barrels for a little over a year. The Reserve bottling is the estate's flagship wine, only topped by very limited old vine bottlings known as Alte Reben. Comparatively, the Moric Reserve is a cuvee of some old and middle-aged vines from the Lutzmannsburg plateau, every bit as fine and age-worthy as the old-vine bottlings, and showing sone extra freshness and liveliness that some of the not-quite-as-ancient vines at to the mix. A fine and velvety tannin structure is balanced by good acidity and minerality. Sour cherry and blackberry mingle with herbatious notes, forrest floor and subtle salinity, truly satisfying and inviting Blaufrankisch, with a good and prolonged finish.
