White Wine Domane Wachau Riesling Smaragd Terrassen 2021. Decant up to 30 minutes before serving, according to preference. Domäne Wachau have deep roots in the Wachau region and have grown to be one of Austria’s top wineries. Managed by Roman Horvath, who in 2009 became the second Austrian to receive the title of Master of Wine” and cellar master Heinz Frischengruber, they showcase a wide range of delicious food-friendly wines, cultivated on the steep banks of the Danube. Domäne adopt an approach of minimal interference, employing the generational knowledge of vintner families who work the vineyard plots by hand. They seek a balance with nature, allowing the terroir to express itself through the grape. Full of vibrant fruits and minerality, this wine is ideal for those who want to taste a classic, elegant Austrian Riesling. The nose is dominated by succulent stone fruits: apricot, peach and mango with notes of citrus zest. Terrassen” means that the fruits for this wine were sourced from vineyards across the region, giving it a classic Wachau taste. It is juicy and firm in the mouth, with balanced fruity flavours and an excellent structure. This Riesling is extremely enjoyable and versatile, pairing well with a night of cheese-tasting, poultry or seafood.
2021
White Wine Domane Wachau Riesling Smaragd Terrassen 2021
White Wine Domane Wachau Gruner Veltliner Smaragd Achleiten 2021. Domaine Wachau is a driving viticultural force in Austria’s Wachau region with some 440 hectares of vineyards cultivated by the members of this cooperative winery. These plots are predominantly set on steep terraces on the banks of the Danube bordered by old dry stone walls, and include the famous crus of Achleiten, Kollmitz, Loibenberg and Tausend-Eimer-Berg. Although one of Austria’s largest wineries, Domaine Wachau focuses on quality above all else and is the only winery to make wines from all of the Wachau’s most prestigious sites. 70% of their vineyards are planted with Gruner Veltliner, including much of the prized Achleiten plot in the village of Weissenkirchen where this wine is born. This legendary vineyard is planted on silicate-rich, shallow soils and is ringed with dry stone walls built in the 12th century. The challenging growing conditions here produce a small yield of concentrated and intense fruit which are picked when ripe with several passages through the vineyard. After a short maceration on the skins the grapes are pressed, fermented in stainless steel tanks, and aged in large wooden casks for a few months. This creates an elegant yet complex white wine that’s bursting with aromatic notes of floral honey, mountain herbs, ripe stone fruit, and zingy citrus.
2021
White Wine Domane Wachau Riesling Smaragd Achleiten 2021. Despite being one of Austria’s largest wineries, Domaine Wachau is a quality-focused producer that produces some of the country’s finest white wines. It functions as a cooperative with 440 hectares of vineyards in the Wachau including many legendary crus like Achleiten, Kollmitz, Loibenberg and Tausend-Eimer-Berg. Most of their vineyards are planted on steep terraces above the Danube river and bordered by ancient dry stone walls. The challenging growing conditions here mean that yields tend to be small and white wine varieties like Gruner Veltliner and Riesling are best suited to the relatively cool climate. This stunning Riesling begins life in the Achleiten vineyard in the village of Weissenkirchen. Here the silicate-rich shallow soils help to create intense yet graceful Riesling with plenty of minerality and refreshing acidity. Once in the winery the fruit is macerated on the skins briefly, fermented in stainless steel tanks, and left to mature on the lees in large wooden casks. This helps to create a richly aromatic wine balanced with plenty of freshness and a pure, clean finish. Hints of ripe peach, apricot and citrus dominate on the nose, while the palate is well-rounded with stone fruit and lingering hints of graphite and bitter grapefruit.
2021