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Schmid, Grüner Veltliner, Satzen

Lower Austria, Austria 2014 (750mL)
$22.00
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Schmid, Grüner Veltliner, Satzen


Kremstal translates to the Valley of Krems. Situated along the Danube, the wine regions of the Kremstal, Kamptal and Wachau make up the Austrian trifecta for world-class Grüner Veltliner in a relatively small area. Today’s wine hails from lower on the slope along the banks of the Danube. While the higher elevation, steeply terraced vineyards are rooted in primary rock that results in stony minerality and a higher price, the lower sites along the Danube, like this one, are comprised of less primary rock and more loess soil. The loess soils are a product of ancient, windblown glacial deposits from the last ice age, which delivers soft texture, more delicate and less focused minerality and a softer expression of the varietal that can handle any cuisine thrown in its direction.
     
Weingut Schmid has been owned and operated by the Schmid family since 1865, and the impressive, 350-year-old cellar is still in operation. Nowadays, Josef Schmid and his wife, Irene, farm their eighteen hectares with an eye toward quality and translation of their unique terroir. Today’s blend of parcels, derived from vines along the banks of the Danube, delivers a classic example of Grüner Veltliner with pitch perfect balance and enough textural weight to shine with myriad dishes. This wine delivers an expression that triggers the brain in such a mesmerizing way and is a testament to the varietal’s exploding popularity over the past decade. Crafted in an uber traditional style that we simply adore, this Kremstal Grüner is just an outstanding example for the modest price.
 
The pale straw yellow core displays green reflections on the rim. The uber-classic nose offers spicy aromatics and notes of green peach pit, lemon peel, lime blossom, a touch of green apple and a hint of cantaloupe rind with aromas of cucumber peel, celery leaf, daikon radish, white pepper and wet rocks. Just over medium body with beautiful creaminess, the palate is lifted with perfectly crisp acidity and soft minerality over flavors that mirror the nose. This wine is best consumed slightly chilled, around 50 degrees. Simply pull from the fridge and decant 15-20 minutes before serving. Once the wine opens up in the glass, the textural and aromatic display will leave you hooked on Grüner Veltliner forever after. Serve in Riesling, all-purpose or even Bordeaux stems for optimal results. We advise drinking copious amounts all summer long – and at this, price, why not?  A true chameleon with food, this wine shines along sushi, Cantonese and various Asian dishes (even pure sunshine). However, we recommend this traditional schnitzel for an experience that will transport you to the banks of the Danube.
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Country
Austria
Region
Lower Austria
Sub-Region
AustriaKremstal
Soil
Loess and Sandy Loam
Farming
Sustainable
Blend
Grüner Veltliner
Alcohol
14.0
OAK
None

Austria

Northeastern Austria

Weinviertel

Considered by most to be the oldest growing zone in Austria, Weinviertel is also, geographically, the largest in the country and covers the vast, northeastern expanse of Lower Austria, stretching from the western border of Slovakia, following the Danube inland and veering up to the southern border of Czechia. Its name, which translates to “wine quarter,” reflects the region’s rich, ancient wine heritage and, according to the Weinviertel DAC website, there are “7,000 years of artifacts to prove it.”

Northeastern Austria

Wachau

Austria’s Wachau appellation is the country’s most acclaimed region. About an hour northwest of Vienna along the Danube River, the vista of the steep, terraced vineyards of the Wachau creates a magnificent landscape akin to a verdant, ancient amphitheater—it is a UNESCO World Heritage site, after all. With rich and unique soils here of löess and gneiss, which lend vivid minerality to the wine.

Eastern Austria

Burgenland

The Burgenland appellation, running along Austria’s border with Hungary southeast of Vienna, has a diverse topography and a mix of soils, with more primary rock and slate at higher locations and dense loams in the rolling hills that extend toward the Pannonian plain.

Southeastern Austria

Steiermark

The region of Styria (Steiermark) is in southeastern Austria which sits near the border with Slovenia. This area is studded with long-extinct volcanoes whose deposits are a key component of the local soils and the vineyards benefit from a classic Austrian push-pull of cool Alpine air and warmer “Pannonian” currents from the east.

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