Berg Erste Lage Grüner Veltliner 2021

Originating from the slopes of the Kamptal region, northwest of Vienna, this Grüner Veltliner comes from the Berg vineyard, classified as Erste Lage, on soils primarily composed of loess and sandstone with limestone influences. The vines benefit from a cool climate characterized by alternating sunny days and cooler nights, promoting slow ripening and beautiful natural acidity. The favorable exposure and sloping topography ensure excellent drainage and contribute to the precise and vibrant expression of this Austrian white wine.

The Grüner Veltliner grapes from the Berg cru, classified Erste Lage, are hand-harvested at full maturity and then gently pressed before controlled fermentation in stainless steel tanks to preserve aromatic purity and freshness. The wine is then aged on its fine lees for several months, primarily in stainless steel tanks, with measured stirring to add volume and complexity, while maintaining the taut, mineral, and precise character typical of dry white wines from the Huber estate in Austria.

This wine reveals notes of green apple , fresh pear , and citrus , complemented by delicate floral touches and a white spice dimension typical of the grape variety, all on a subtly mineral background. The palate is precise and taut, driven by a vibrant acidity that extends the finish, with a texture that is both ample and crystalline, and a mouthwatering finish that highlights the purity of the fruit and the freshness of the terroir.

Austrian viticulture has made enormous strides in wine quality over the past decade. Today, Austrian winemakers no longer produce cheap wines for mass consumption, but rather refined and complex wines. Austria produces 65% white wines. From a general perspective, Austrian wines are more powerful and richer than those of their German neighbor. The major and most widely planted national grape variety is Grüner Veltliner (an indigenous white grape). Red wine production continues to increase in volume, intensity, and quality. In Burgenland, in particular, producers are making the most of a unique blend of local grape varieties (Blaufränkisch, Saint-Laurent, Zweigelt) and French varieties (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Pinot Noir). Austria's climate is primarily continental, with cold winters and hot summers. The country is influenced by four main weather patterns. To the east, continental influences from Pannonia; to the west, Atlantic influences as well as cold winds from the north; and to the south, Mediterranean influences. The Danube, meandering languidly through numerous vineyards, brings a variety of microclimates to the vines.