New Release Drop - Austria 2020 Arrivals

It won't come as a huge surprise that reliability of supply from wine importers has suffered considerably over the past 18 months as COVID has left a damaging mark on supply chains worldwide. So, needless to say our attention is well and truly grabbed when we get a head-up on new shipment from wineries we know well and trust.

We have just loaded a bunch of Austrian new releases, mostly 2020, onto the site but unfortunately we don't expect stocks to last long. Many vineyards suffered from low yields in 2020 and the Wachau region moreso as it has hammered by severe hailstorms in late August. As always the lower end of the Gruner Veltliner price range provides great value with some very solid offerings under $30 that are text-book perfect in style. Wish we could say the same of much of the 'budget' wine that comes out of France these days!

Our picks of the shipment are expanded upon below. The full range of the our Austrian wines can be found here.

Happy drinking!

Groiss Gruner Veltliner 2020 $22

Probably the lowest priced Austrian Gruner in the country! White pepper, crushed sage and a touch of citrus promise savouriness. The palate delivers with full-on white pepper spiciness, slender freshness and lovely, pithy, salty, yeasty texture. This is a little pepper bomb full of life and verve. The finish is dry and appetizing. 

Groiss 'Gemischter Satz' White Field Blend 2020 $29

The ultimate field blend with just the lazy 17 varieties thrown in from a single vineyard? World Record? The grapes are hand harvested together and are also processed together. It's the most traditional way of planting in Austria. Among the varieties in Ingrid Groiss's Gemischter Satz are Chardonnay, Müller Thurgau, Welschriesling, Grüner Veltliner, Riesling, Grauburgunder, Pinot Blanc, Frühroter Veltliner, Neuburger, Zierfandler, Rotgipfler, Sämling, Roter Veltliner, Grauer Vöslauer, Hietl Rote, Weiße Vöslauer and Silberweiße.

Domane Wachau Gruner Veltliner 'Terrassen' 2020 $27

There is no wine more versatile at the table! Pronounced peppery flavour and racy structure offer plenty of pleasant refreshment. Bright greenish yellow, offering distinctive aromas on the nose of golden delicious apple, white pepper, some lychee and delicate herbal notes, hints of exotic fruits. Medium bodied with a crisp acidity, very harmonious, juicy fruits and spicy on the finish. 

Domane Wachau Blauer Zweigelt 2019 $26

Blauer Zweigelt, also known as Rotburger, is a typical Austrian grape variety and a crossing of Blaufränkisch and St. Laurent. In Austria, Zweigelt is mostly vinified to fresh, fruity and appealing red wines. 

Stadt Krems 'Lössterrassen' Grüner Veltliner 2020 $22

This typical Veltliner is tangy and light. It’s fresh and fruity with notes of pineapple and grapefruit. It has pleasant acidity and flavours of pear, pineapple and grapefruit on the palate, finishing crisply.