2021 Domäne Wachau Grüner Veltliner ‘Terrassen’ Federspiel

2021 Domäne Wachau Grüner Veltliner Terrassen Federspiel began life with a notably cold spring and a cool summer that pushed back the growing timetable. Then came a picture-perfect autumn: glorious weather, filled with plentiful sunshine, dry days and cool nights — ideal conditions for the optimally ripened fruit that powers a truly grand vintage. This year will be remembered for its wines of good concentration and compelling elegance and finesse, combined with depth, tremendous momentum and tension on the palate and challenging acidity.
Grapes for Grüner Veltliner Federspiel Terrassen were carefully hand-picked from steeply terraced vineyards throughout the Wachau valley. Work in the vineyard takes place based on sustainable and, increasingly, organic principles, without the use of insecticides or herbicides, and grapes are hand-picked. The grapes are carefully selected and then processed in a pneumatic tank press, with the must then fermented under controlled temperature and aged on their fine lees in stainless steel tanks.
Grüner Veltliner Federspiel Terrassen is a real benchmark wine from Wachau, characterised by fresh fruit and pronounced minerality. The wine offers distinctive aromas of green apple, white pepper, hints of mango and delicate herbal notes This Federspiel is a classic example of Grüner Veltliner with its medium-body crisp acidity, juicy fruits and white spice on the finish. The name Federspiel is derived from falconry which was a very popular leisure time activity among the nobility in medieval times. The falcon stands for the remarkable elegance of these dry white wines. – Roman Horvath MW, Domäne Wachau