Wine Tasting Video: Austrian Riesling


Just loved this quintet…

Domäne Wachau 1000-Eimer-Berg Riesling Federspiel 2010, Wachau, Austria (£11.39 Waitrose)
Like a clear mountain spring, this is exhilarating, herby stuff, still a little stern and young, but with sprightly grapefruit & lemon flavours and a taut herb and river pebble character on the finish. S-

Domäne Wachau Weissenkirchen Riesling Federspiel 2009, Wachau (£9.99 Majestic)
A richer, fuller, fleshier style, but still with a straight backbone of earthy minerality and acidity. Has a mix of citrus (orange and ripe grapefruit) flavours with rounder plum, peach and rhubarb notes, plus a Grüner Veltliner like peppery edge. S

F X Pichler Loibner Steinertal Riesling Smaragd 2009, Wachau (£35 Raeburn Fine Wines, Lay & Wheeler, Seckford Wines, Uncorked, Bibendum, Woodwinters)
Initially rather dumb, but even then, the pungent peppery minerality (slate? volcanic?) makes its presence felt. As it opens up, a richer peachier side emerges, but there’s always some citrus acidity to hold it all together. Lovely, lovely wine, fresh and upright, but with a twinkle in its eye. G

Domäne Wachau Achleiten Riesling Smaragd 2010, Wachau (£18.04 Waitrose)
A fleshy style, with punchy rhubarb, peach and (tinned) plum flesh and some citrus tang. Not quite as mineral-laden as the Pichler, but still has a salty pumice and (yes) aspirin tang. S+

Weingut Bründlmayer Riesling Langenloiser Steinmassel 2006, Kamptal (£19.99 The Wine Society, Lay & Wheeler, Raeburn Fine Wines, Tanners, House of Townend, Kensington Wine Rooms, Prestige Vintners, Bennetts Fine Wines, Reid Wines, The Grape Store, Andrew Wilson Wines, Christopher Piper, Sommelier Wine Company)
Showing some of the softness of maturity, with a honeyed edge, and with some of the citrus flavours turning ever-so-slightly marmaladey. But there’s still abundant peachy flesh, and a classy, elegant mineral finish. S(+)


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2 thoughts on “Wine Tasting Video: Austrian Riesling

  • Neil Sowerby

    salty pumice and aspirin.
    pebbles and paracetamol
    top stuff
    we had som e fab rieslings in the tirol this summer.
    stopped ordering gruner felt linings

  • Simon Post author

    Hi Neil, still love Gruner, but let’s just say that none of these Rieslings made it to Kevin & Sheila’s. Are you bringing a dead pigeon along to MFDF Big Indie Fest again?