Ott Estate Ried Spiegel Feuersbrunn 2021

Located on the gentle slopes around Feuersbrunn, on the left bank of the Danube, Ried Spiegel is one of the flagship terroirs of the Ott estate in the Wagram wine region of Lower Austria. This southeast-facing hillside rests on deep loess soils, renowned for their water retention capacity while ensuring excellent drainage. The vineyard benefits from a moderate continental climate, characterized by warm days and cool nights, which promotes slow and complete ripening of the grapes and a precise expression of the varietal.

The grapes for this cuvée are hand-harvested, carefully sorted, and then gently pressed to preserve their aromatic finesse. The must is then fermented slowly, primarily in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, to maintain the purity of the fruit and the precise expression of the terroir. Aging continues on fine lees for several months, still in tanks, with measured stirring to add texture and complexity without weighing down the crystalline and taut profile characteristic of the estate's wines.

This wine reveals notes of green apple , juicy pear , and ripe citrus , complemented by delicate floral touches of white blossom and elderflower, as well as spicy and mineral nuances reminiscent of white pepper and wet stone. The palate is precise and taut, driven by lively acidity, a full yet elegant texture, and a long, saline, and refreshing finish that underscores the purity of the fruit.

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.