# Pichler-Krutzler Riesling Ried Kellerberg (2021)

- **Producer:** Weingut Pichler-Krutzler
- **Colour:** white
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Riesling
- **Region:** Niederösterreich, Austria
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 13.5%
- **Average price:** €72
- **Contains sulphites:** No
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 8–12 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** apple, grapefruit, peach, ginger, almond, petrol (gasoline)

## About this wine

The Pichler-Krutzler Riesling Ried Kellerberg 2021 hails from the esteemed Kellerberg vineyard in Austria's Wachau region, a site renowned for its ancient vines and lean gneiss soils. This vineyard's unique microclimate, influenced by cool nights and a long vegetation period, contributes to wines that possess both refinement and power, exhibiting a restrained yet complex character. The producer, Weingut Pichler-Krutzler, was founded in 2007 by Elisabeth Pichler and Erich Krutzler, who are dedicated to producing wines with profound depth and minerality. The winery has been certified organic since 2022. The 2021 vintage is noted for its pronounced acidity and extract, suggesting a wine built for aging.

## Interesting facts

- Kellerberg is often referred to as the 'Grand Cru' of the Wachau.
- Vines are meticulously tended by hand.
- The vineyard soil is dominated by Orthogneiss.
- Certified organic since 2022.

## Food pairing

The wine's high acidity and minerality cut through the richness of dishes like pork and creamy sauces, while its complexity complements the subtle flavors of fish and poultry. The saline notes in the wine can also echo the saltiness in certain cheeses and seafood.

## Wine making process

The grapes for this Riesling are meticulously tended by hand, with a late harvest chosen to maximize ripeness due to the region's cool night air. Fermentation and maturation take place over 8-9 months, with part of the wine aging in stainless steel and the other part in large oak barrels (12-15 hl). This dual approach to aging aims to balance freshness with subtle textural development. The winery has been certified organic since 2022.