Ried Schütt 2022

Located on the left bank of the Danube, Ried Schütt is one of the emblematic wines of the Wachau Valley, at the foot of the village of Dürnstein in Lower Austria. This vineyard, with its steep terraces facing south and southeast, rests on poor soils of gneiss and schist mixed with stony deposits. The proximity of the river moderates temperature fluctuations, while the cool winds descending from the valley bring a significant temperature range. This environment promotes slow ripening of the grapes and gives the wine a particularly precise and mineral character.

The grapes at Ried Schütt are hand-harvested at full maturity, then carefully sorted before gentle pressing. The must is clarified and then ferments slowly, primarily in large oak casks and stainless steel tanks, to preserve aromatic purity and the expression of the terroir. Aging continues on fine lees in the same containers, adding texture and complexity without masking the characteristic minerality of the wine. Bottling takes place after extended maturation, when the wine displays an optimal balance of freshness, structure, and depth.

This wine reveals notes of stone fruit , ripe citrus , and white-fleshed fruit , complemented by delicate floral touches, subtle spicy nuances, and a distinctly mineral dimension. The palate is ample and concentrated, driven by a taut acidity that elongates the structure, with a precise, almost crystalline texture, and a long, saline, and persistent finish that underscores the rocky 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.