# a.qu.a.l.ei.t.e.n Blanc White Blend (2022)

- **Producer:** Wabi-Sabi
- **Colour:** white
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Grüner Veltliner, Riesling
- **Region:** Niederösterreich, Austria
- **Style:** Natural
- **Alcohol:** 12.0%
- **Average price:** €24
- **Vegan:** Yes
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 8–10 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** elderflower, gooseberry, apple, peach, lemon, herbaceous, biscuit

## About this wine

Founded by Franz Hofstätter in 2016, Wabi-Sabi takes inspiration from the Japanese Zen philosophy of finding beauty in imperfection, simplicity, and natural authenticity. The 'a.qu.a.l.ei.t.e.n Blanc' is part of the White Label collaborative series, crafted together with local grape growers in the Wachau region along the Danube river. The cuvée's unique name deconstructs the German word 'Qualitäten' (qualities) while honoring famous terraced vineyard parcels along the riverbank, including Achleiten, Heutür, and Kellerberg.

## Interesting facts

- The wine's name plays on 'Qualitäten' while referencing the renowned Achleiten vineyard stripe along the Danube.
- Every bottle features unique artwork printed on real photographic paper, ensuring no two labels look identical.
- The producer Wabi-Sabi is named after the Zen philosophy of appreciating beauty in impermanence and natural flaw.

## Food pairing

High, vibrant acidity and clean mineral texture allow this dry white blend to cut through fried and creamy textures, while its subtle herbal and citrus character seamlessly complements fresh seafood, soft goat cheeses, and aromatic green herbs.

## Wine making process

Sourced from 35-year-old vines cultivated on primary rock, gneiss, and mica schist soils using organic and biodynamic practices. Grapes are harvested by hand and subjected to brief skin contact before undergoing spontaneous fermentation with indigenous yeasts. The wine ages on its fine lees in neutral oak and large wooden casks. It is bottled unfined and unfiltered with minimal sulfur additions to maintain raw expression and high drinkability.