From: Langenlois, Kamptal, Austria
Blend: Grüner Vetltliner
Taste: Balanced and exuberant fruit, citrus and spice. This gorgeous Grüner Veltliner features pronounced notes of ripe apples and an elegantly herbaceous, white pepper aroma. The palate is greeted with a continuation of freshness in cool fruit and citrus pep, along with a dusting of zesty pepper. The lively acid structure of the wine provides both length and freshness, making for a vibrant vertical structure.
Pairing: Austrian Grüner Veltliner, with its crisp and refreshing profile, shines brightly when paired with various foods, enhancing the culinary experience. Its subtle fruitiness and characteristic peppery note make it a versatile companion to dishes ranging from light seafood to richer poultry. Imagine the delicate flavors of sushi or a zesty shrimp cocktail gently complemented by the wine's vibrant acidity. Additionally, its herbaceous undertones match fresh salads dressed in vinaigrette or creamy vegetable-based soups. For meat lovers, the wine's elegance and zesty character pairs wonderfully with roasted chicken or turkey, where it cuts through the richness without overpowering the dish.
Crispy Shrimp Cakes With Chile-Lime Mayo
By Melissa Clark
About: The production process of this Grüner Veltliner is meticulous. The grapes are hand-harvested with selective precision and transported in stackable boxes to ensure they remain undamaged. The grapes are then destemmed and undergo a gentle pressing after a few hours of maceration. The fermentation process is conducted in stainless steel tanks housed within a historic 700-year-old natural cellar, a setting that adds a touch of tradition to modern winemaking techniques. This wine is then allowed to mature on its fine lees for a period, enhancing its complexity and depth of flavor.
Located in Langenlois, Weingut Jurtschitsch is one of Austria's most prestigious wineries, showcasing the best Austrian wine culture. Under the stewardship of Alwin and Stefanie Jurtschitsch, the winery has redefined premium wine with a focus on authenticity, complexity, and terroir-specific attributes. Their philosophy centers on producing cool, elegant wines that allow the unique characteristics of Langenlois appellations to shine.
Their approach to winemaking is grounded in traditions yet innovative. They practice biological farming, ensuring healthy soils, minimal interventions in the cellar, and a commitment to continuous experimentation. This dedication to organic farming was a conscious decision made after Alwin and Stefanie's extensive travels in the wine world, recognizing the integral role of sustainable practices in quality winemaking. They use natural fertilizers like cow dung and diversify their vineyards with peach trees and vineyard garlic to create self-sustaining, healthy vines that produce intense wines.
In the cellar, their philosophy is of minimal intervention. The wines undergo spontaneous fermentation and are only moderately sulphurized before bottling. This careful, respectful approach to nature and vinification, combined with an openness to new methods, has been their formula for creating wines of the highest standard.
The Kamp Valley, or Kamptal, where the winery is located, is renowned for its peppery Grüner Veltliners DAC and elegantly fruity Rieslings DAC. Langenlois, the valley's central town, is Austria's largest wine-producing town, characterized by a diverse terrain of primary rock, clay, and loess. The Kamptal Wine Road, named after the Kamp River, highlights the region's wine culture and tourism, enhanced by numerous heuriger wine taverns and shops. The Kamptal DAC designation signifies wines made from Grüner Veltliner or Riesling grapes, available in medium-weight classic styles or as powerful dry reserves.
The geological diversity of the Kamp Valley, with its loess, gravel, crystalline intrusions, and red sandstone, contributes to the unique characteristics of its wines. This variety in soil and rock types is a testament to the area's dynamic geological past, including ancient seas, volcanoes, and river shifts. The climate in Kamptal is marked by a dynamic tension between the hot Pannonian basin to the east and the cooler Waldviertel to the northwest. This results in wines with great aromatic finesse and vibrant acidity, benefiting from the contrast between hot days and cooler nights.
An exemplary representation of Kamptal wine, this vintage embodies the essence of this Austrian wine region. It is a down-to-earth yet precisely crafted wine, mirroring the distinct Kamptal characteristics of spiciness, freshness, and minerality. The vines from which this wine originates are deeply rooted in small, high-altitude vineyards, thriving in primary rock soils rich in gneiss and mica schist. This high elevation and the vineyards' proximity to the forest edge introduces a cooler climate with significant temperature variations between day and night, contributing to the wine's unique profile.
