Loibner Riesling 2024

Originating from the slopes of Loiben, in the heart of the Wachau region, this Riesling comes from steep plots overlooking the Danube Valley on the north bank. The vines are planted in very stony gneiss and schist soils, sometimes covered with loess, which ensure excellent drainage and promote slow and even ripening. The cool continental climate, tempered by the river's influence, preserves vibrant acidity and great aromatic purity, resulting in a wine emblematic of the precise, mineral style of this part of the Wachau.

Grown on the slopes of Loiben, the Riesling is hand-harvested at full maturity, with careful sorting in the vineyard. The grapes are gently pressed, and the must is then clarified before a slow fermentation, carried out using indigenous yeasts, in stainless steel tanks and large traditional casks to preserve aromatic purity and minerality. The wine is then aged on its fine lees in these containers for several months, with very gentle stirring, before bottling without excessive extraction, in order to maintain the balance and precision of the Loiben terroir.

This wine reveals notes of citrus , white peach , and apricot , complemented by delicate floral touches and a distinctly mineral dimension reminiscent of wet stone. Slightly spicy nuances and a hint of lemon zest add complexity. On the palate, the wine is precise, supported by taut acidity , a slender yet concentrated texture, and a long, mouthwatering, and crystalline finish that underscores the purity of the fruit and the stony character 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.