# Ried Wachtberg Grüner Veltliner (2021)

- **Producer:** Salomon Undhof
- **Colour:** white
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Grüner Veltliner
- **Region:** Niederösterreich, Austria
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 13.0%
- **Average price:** €27
- **Contains sulphites:** No
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 8–12 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** peach, white pepper, green fruit, grapefruit, pastry, biscuit, honey, almond

## About this wine

The Salomon Undhof Ried Wachtberg Grüner Veltliner 2021 is a distinguished white wine from Austria's Kremstal region. The Wachtberg vineyard, characterized by its south-facing terraces and a unique soil composition of loess and primary rock, imparts distinctive qualities to the Grüner Veltliner grape. This wine is classified as Erste Lage, a designation that highlights its exceptional vineyard site and quality. The Salomon Undhof estate, established in 1792, is one of Austria's oldest family-owned wineries, with the current generation upholding a philosophy of elegance, finesse, and longevity in their winemaking.

## Interesting facts

- Classified as 'Erste Lage', akin to Burgundy's Premier Cru.
- Vineyard soil is a mix of loess and primary rock (granite, gneiss, slate).
- Estate dates back to 1792, spanning 7-8 generations of winemakers.
- Fermented partially in larger barrels for added complexity.

## Food pairing

The wine's vibrant acidity cuts through richer textures and fats, while its minerality complements delicate proteins. Its subtle spice notes can also stand up to dishes with a touch of heat.

## Wine making process

The winemaking process for the Salomon Undhof Ried Wachtberg Grüner Veltliner begins with hand-harvested grapes. The fruit undergoes gentle pressing, with free-run and press fractions separated. A 6-hour maceration period is followed by 48 hours of sedimentation. Fermentation takes place over 8 weeks, primarily in stainless steel tanks, though some wine is fermented in larger barrels. The wine then matures on its fine lees until bottling in July of the subsequent year.