R. Kamptal Terrassen 2024

From terraces in the Kamptal DAC, around Langenlois, this Riesling draws its relief from poor Urgestein soils, complemented on the lower terraces by layers of loess and clay. Where the Danube valley meets the Kamptal, the alternation of warm days and cool nights favours both ripeness of fruit and a taut expression.

The ripe grapes are harvested by hand into small crates, then gently pressed in a pneumatic press. Fermentation takes place in stainless-steel tanks at 15–20 °C. The wine is then racked off its fine lees and bottled, preserving the aromatic purity, freshness and precision of the Riesling.

This wine reveals notes of apricot blossom, elderflower, jasmine, mandarin zest, lemon, ripe yellow peach, nectarine, tropical fruits, delicate spices and stony minerality. The palate is juicy and finely drawn, with sleek fruit, a light fruity sweetness and balanced acidity. The fresh, saline and persistent finish extends the accents of yellow-fleshed fruit.

For more than ten years, Austrian winegrowing has made an enormous leap in terms of wine quality. Today Austrian winemakers no longer produce cheap wines for mass consumption, but refined and complex wines. 65% of Austria's wine is white. Broadly speaking, Austrian wines are more powerful and richer than those of their German neighbour. The great national and most widely planted grape variety is Grüner Veltliner (a native white grape variety). Red wine production continues to grow in volume as well as in intensity and quality. In Burgenland above all, producers make the most of an original mix of local grape varieties (Blaufränkisch, Sankt Laurent, Zweigelt) and French ones (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Pinot Noir). Austria's climate is essentially continental, with cold winters and hot summers. The country is subject to 4 main influences: continental influences from Pannonia to the east, Atlantic influences to the west as well as cold winds from the north, and Mediterranean influences to the south. The Danube, meandering languidly through many vineyards, creates numerous microclimates.