Domäne Wachau Riesling Ried Federspiel Steinriegl 2017 (Austria)

One of the Danube vineyards passing through Austria is the Wachau wine region. Here the Danube valley offers an ideal micro-climate for viticulture: great water regulation thanks to the soils retention capacity and a very good protection from the northern winds. Even without having the DAC quality label, the Wachau sub-zone (north-east of Austria) brings mature and highly mineral Riesling wine's. This is gneiss terraces, crystallised lime and lime-marble composed 1oo% Riesling.

Lemon yellow color with golden highlights looking this wine in my Christmas family dinner. In nose I find intense and mineral hints, then, herbal and lime touchs with a great elegance. Dry entry in mouth, feminine, light and easy to drink development. Mountain grass, broom, white stone fruits, immature citric fruit, chalk are its mouth-aromas... all in key of elegance. A delicate fresnesh. Long finish with a subtle 12'5% warmth. Always very dry, very "Federspiel".

This Riesling grape grows in Steinriegl: a steep vineyard facing southwest in the wine-growing village of Weissenkirchen. The terroir is characterized by its forest proximity, fresh terraces and rich lime silicate soils. And a vegetarian label guarantees a clean and environmentally friendly product as Rudolf Steiner always wanted. Its 12 euros+- price is just in my humble opinion. Do not forget to taste this Riesling with a oysters dish coming from the Croatian coast, the country that saw Steiner born 159 years ago.