Gruner Veltliner `Burgenland` Estoras Esterhazy 2022

£21.95 per bottle

ABV 11.5%

Tasting Notes
Grown on the ancient Leitha maritime limestones and harvested early at night, this Gruner Veltliner is crisp and fresh, with a strong mineral definition. The wine sees skin contact for before a fermentation which is spontaneous from the grapes natural yeasts, followed by lees ageing in tank for 6 months giving lovely texture on the palate. This is a wine with low added sulphites. Charming and floral with white stone fruits, pears and quince notes, alongside hints of the varieties classic white pepper followed by a long and crisp mineral finish.

Food
Perfect with classic Viennese cuisine such as Schnitzel, creamy chicken or white fish like sea bass served with spring greens.

Region
Despite the country`s image as the producer of some of the world`s finest white wines, Austria is also home to a thriving red wine culture. Burgenland, south-east of Vienna, with its sunny, continental summers, is the country`s key red wine region, with its wines based mainly on the Blaufränkisch and Zweigelt grape varieties. The region occupies a narrow strip of land that runs from the Danube River down to Steiermark in the south. On its eastern side is the border with Hungary, and to the west lies the most eastern foothills of the Alps. Burgenland`s Lake Neusiedl (Neusiedlersee) is one of the viticultural focus points, tempering the climate of the hot continental region.

Producer
The Esterhazy family have been producing wine in the Burgenland for over 300 years. The historical winery was in cellars under the palace in Eisenstadt, but in 2006 a new, high-tech winery was opened at Trausdorf. The Estate now holds 65 hectares spread over the hills near Eisenstadt heading down towards Lake Neusiedlersee. These sites were chosen specifically for their geological structure with rich mineral soil types. With further plantings have come strict re forestry programmes to ensure no environmental impact. Since 2006 Esterhazy have been moving towards more modern and environmentally friendly viticulture, practicing organic farming with certification from the 2023 harvest onwards.