2003 Geyerhof Gruner Veltiner Steinleithn

Kremstal is a wine of southern Austria that includes both the north and south banks of the Danube River, which winds through this district and helps give the wines their distinct characteristics. The main towns here are Stein and Krems, and the soil is an unusually soft loess – meaning half soil and half rock. Vintners here say the loess terroir contributes greatly to the flinty, dry but concentrated Grüner Veltliners and Rieslings. Austria has only in the last decade or so started an appellation system, and it is still in flux. However, there is a Kremstal Austria Controllatus (DAC) for Grüner Veltliner and Riesling.

This white grape is widely grown in Austria, Czech Republic and Slovakia. As a wine, it is food friendly and has beaten top Chardonnays in blind tastings. It compares to a white Burgundy in richness and texture, and offers an exotic alternative to Sauvignon Blanc.