From: Wachau, Austria
Varietal: Grüner Veltliner
“We’re on the wrong side of the Danube, we’re biodynamic, we like to age our wines and we make lighter styles – so yes, there are at least four reasons why people think we’re crazy.” –Nikolaus Saahs, winemaker at Nikolaihof (quoted in Simon J. Woolf's article for The Palate Press)
Nikolaihof’s holdings are some of the farthest east in the Wachau near the village of Mautern on the Danube’s south bank. These are also some of the oldest known vineyards in Europe, with sites such as “im Weingebirge” being mentioned as far back as 470AD. Whether it’s Nikolaus's biodynamic know-how, his focus on ancestral vinification techniques, or the quality of his terroir, the resulting wines are wildly unique and joyful. They are singular wines, irreplicable anywhere else in the wine-making world.
Tasting Notes: "Plenty of yeasty creaminess and aromas here, which really help to harmonize this light and crisp gruner veltliner’s acidity. Super refreshing, but with a ton of herbal and green-pepper character, too. Bottled unfiltered, so please turn the bottle upside down a couple of times before opening. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification." –James Suckling, 90 points
"The 2020 Grüner Veltliner Zwickl naturtrüb offers a bright, pure, fresh and discreetly yeasty bouquet of white fruits. Round and textured, with fine mineral grip and natural fruit expression, this is a beautiful and refreshing but also substantial and finely grippy Veltliner with 11% alcohol. Tasted at the domaine in June 2021." –Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 90 points
Pairing: Look for bright, green vegetable flavors and anything umami! This dish has us craving the delightful combination of zucchini, and gruyère in Ina Garten's recipe for Zucchini Gratin.
