Zwirch Erste Lage Grüner Veltliner 2023

Located in the Weinviertel region of northeastern Austria, the Zwirch vineyard is part of the Erste Lage protected area and enjoys prime exposure around the village of Reichersdorf and its surrounding hills. The soils are predominantly composed of loess and limestone deposits, providing an ideal environment for Grüner Veltliner. This cool, gently breezy terroir allows for slow ripening of the grapes, preserving tension and aromatic purity. The proximity of the Danube River and the pronounced continental influence contribute to significant temperature variations, enhancing the wine's mineral character.

The Grüner Veltliner grapes are hand-harvested in the Zwirch cru, with careful sorting. Gentle pressing is followed by cold static settling, then alcoholic fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks to preserve the aromatic purity and minerality of the terroir. The wine is then aged on its fine lees in stainless steel tanks for several months, with moderate stirring depending on the vintage, before bottling to retain the tension, precision, and freshness characteristic of this Erste Lage.

This wine reveals notes of stone fruit , ripe pear , and citrus , complemented by delicate touches of white flowers and fresh herbs , enhanced by a hint of white pepper and a subtle minerality . The palate is full- bodied yet precise, driven by a lively acidity that lengthens the finish. The overall impression is one of balance, with a firm structure and a persistent, saline finish that highlights the 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.