Zippy 2020 Grüner from Stift Göttweig’s Winemaker of the Year
A rush on Grüner Veltliner has been one of the unexpected themes of the pandemic. Mind you, it makes more sense to me than the toilet paper thing.
One of those we rely on hugely to fuel our Veltliner habit is Austria’s 2020 Winemaker of the Year, Fritz Miesbauer of Stadt Krems and Stift Göttweig. These estates on the banks of the Danube River in the Kremstal have an unbelievable wine-growing history – going back 900 and 550 years respectively. That’s something, isn’t it? A combined 1,400-plus vintages. You probably learn a bit over that time…
Mind you, it’s really in the decade and a half since Fritz took the reins that these growers have truly excelled in the realm of great global wine culture.
The Messwein from Stift Göttweig and Lössterrassen from Stadt Krems are two deliciously refreshing Grüner staples, and we’re delighted to have the 2020s land in plentiful stock.
2020 Stadt Krems Lössterrassen Grüner Veltliner $24
With more than 550 years of history, Weingut Stadt Krems is one of the oldest wine-producers in Austria, even in the whole of Europe. Since July 2003 it has been managed by a young, innovative team led by 2020 Winemaker of the Year Fritz Miesbauer.
This typical Veltliner is tangy and light. This is because of the good loess soil and the very good climate. In the first weeks of October the grapes were handpicked with strict selection. After they were destemmed and pressed carefully, the must was fermented under controlled temperature in a stainless-steel tank. Alcohol 12%; RS 2.1g/L; total acidity 6.6g/L.
2020 Stift Goettweig Messwein Grüner Veltliner $27
Stift Göttweig has been engaged in wine-growing in the Kremstal region since the 11th century. The Göttweiger Messwein, or altar wine, has been an institution in this Benedictine monastery for centuries. Grüner Veltliner and Rosé (from Pinot Noir) are vinified as light, dry wines. From the nature-friendly cultivation of the vineyards to the care and processing of the grapes and wine, the “Reinheitsgebot”, or purity law, of the church must be obeyed. Messwein cannot be produced without the permission of the bishop, and it must be only natural and unaltered. With its lowish alcohol, Messwein is the lightest wine – very easy and drinkable.
Dry, light and refreshing, this 2020 has delicate but penetrating notes of rosy apple, juicy stone fruit and pineapple allied to a dash of spice and a pleasantly round, creamy texture.