2020 Zillinger Velue Riesling
2020 Zillinger Velue Riesling
Region: Niederösterreich < Austria
Grapes: Riesling
Vineyard/Cellar Stats: Demeter certified biodynamic farming + certified organic farming; limestone/sandstone soils; most of the grapes (95%) are fermented and matured in stainless steel. The rest are destemmed and uncrushed grapes skin fermented in amphoras. Bottled unfined/unfiltered with minimal added So2; 11.5% ABV; 415 cases
Winemaker: Johannes Zillinger
Johannes Zillinger learned early on from his father about the importance of organic winemaking, about viewing the vineyard as a habitat and protecting the environment instead of poisoning it. His father Hans turned to organic viticulture in 1983, two years before the Austrian Anti-freeze Scandal, and was one of its pioneers in Austria. When Johannes took over the 350-year-old winery in 2013, he transitioned to biodynamic farming in a big way -- he even grows his own herbs for tea tinctures to use for vineyard treatments. "Velue" in the wine label doesn't mean value -- it is the old name for Velm-Goetzendorf, the village the winery is located in. It is also the name of the old willow trees growing near the river that originally give the village its name.
Floral, stone-fruity, elegant and bone-dry, this is the Riesling that will change your mind if you aren't already on the Riesling train. You get lots of puckery lime and fuzzy peach notes in front of a strong, rocky minerality. So much texture and character! This is one we'll be stocking for cool weather sipping and food pairing, and for sure featuring in the holiday dinner lineup.