Eight bottles landed at my door from Puur Oostenrijk, packed with grape varieties most wine drinkers haven’t given a second thought. Big thanks to Marco and Joost for the opportunity. Three Grüner Veltliners alone kept me busy for an evening, one classic, one a coconut-vanilla bomb, one a natural with edges. Then came two Zweigelts, a Riesling, a Chardonnay, and the wild card: a Bloody Muscat. Here’s what I found.
My tasting notes of the wines
I began with a flight of three Grüner Veltliner wines to explore the variations between them. Next, I sampled the Riesling for its anticipated acidity, which would serve as a pleasant contrast before trying the Chardonnay and the natural Bloody Muscat. The Bloody Muscat, in particular, stood out as having the most pronounced flavor among the white wines, likely due to its extended skin contact. If my assumption is correct, you can read it later.
Mantler31 Grüner Veltliner Classic Großriedenthal DAC 2022
Light yellow in the glass, with a translucent rim. The nose sits at medium intensity and reads as typical Grüner Veltliner: fresh apple, fruity notes, stone fruit, and a touch of flint. On the palate it turns round and creamy with medium complexity, carrying pear, pineapple, and spice over medium (+) acidity, then closing with a slight salty note. It fills the mouth nicely and stays refreshing, elegant without pushing too hard.
Salzl Figaro Grüner Veltliner 2021
A light yellow, a shade more intense than the Classic, again with a translucent rim. The nose is loud here: a vanilla bomb with hints of coconut and fruity apple, plus pronounced roasted and smoked wood. The palate stays fresh and fruity, with strong vanilla and grated coconut lending a slight sweetness that never tips into sweet, alongside grass, a hint of yeastiness, and a touch of Galia melon over medium acidity. It plays like a Chardonnay with a twist, packed with fruit and apple and finished with that light smoky, roasted edge.
Schödl Grün Grün Grüner Veltliner 2021
Medium yellow. The nose leans into freshly baked apple pie, cinnamon, and floral notes alongside fresh, fruity apple and peach, with a savoury twist you could pin as an old book of records and a little wet wool. The palate is energetic, full of green and red apple with cinnamon, green herbs, and a slight cheesy note, all carried by a medium (+) acidity that comes across quite sharp. The bold and the subtle sit together well, apple and fruit and spice. It drinks juicy and surprising, a natural wine with a clear edge to it.
Mantler31 Riesling Ried Fumberg Wagram DAC 2021
Medium yellow in the glass. The nose offers ripe fruit and exotic fruit, pineapple, raspberry candies, and ripe red apple, with the petrol note you expect from Riesling. The palate is full-bodied and salty, with peach, a hint of grass and hay, and red apple over medium acidity, and the mouthfeel is generous. It tastes fuller than the aroma suggests, with fine acidity and plenty of pleasure in the glass.
Salzl Chardonnay New Style 2021
Medium yellow in the glass. The nose is creamy apple butter with a hint of caramel, peach, vanilla, and light coconut. That richness carries onto the palate, where peach, nectarine, vanilla, buttery apple, caramel, and a touch of hazelnut play out over medium acidity and a very long finish. Well balanced, with flavours and aromas that linger and keep pulling you back.
Schödl Bloody Muscat 2022
A pinkish light red hue. The nose is intensely mango and exotic, with papaya, peach, nectarine, and a surprising touch of rosemary and dried green herbs. On the palate, bitter, sour, and sweet layer over each other, with a slight sparkle and a tangy, bitter grapefruit edge. Nectarine, lemon, and lime zest come through, with light tannins and medium (+) acidity, dry throughout. The flavours are many rather than complex, and pleasant with it. This one will not be for everyone. It is not a casual pour and needs the right food to make sense, but it stood out from the rest.
Mantler31 Zweigelt Gesang 2019
Medium light red with a purple glow. The nose is earthy at medium intensity, with fresh red fruit, a hint of strawberry, a touch of cherry, a slight mustiness, some chemical notes, and a whisper of leather. The palate echoes that earthy, slightly musty character, with cherries, raspberries, strawberries, and warm red clay over medium tannins and medium acidity. A friendly, pleasant red that suits a meal or a cheese platter. Not a heavy wine, but it shows itself well.
Salzl Zweigelt Reserve 2018
Deep purple with a light rim. The nose is intense and holds your attention, built on warm cherries and a rich, layered scent, with dried fruit like plum and cherry, hints of chocolate, and vanilla, coconut, and smoky undertones rounding it out. The palate is full and intensely fruity, balanced by medium tannins and acidity, showing ripe red fruit, vanilla, smoky notes, apple, tobacco, and strawberry. A red built for the table, with intense yet approachable flavours and a colour, taste, and structure that make it an easy one to enjoy.
My key learning points of this tasting
I learned a lot from this wine tasting. One key lesson was the variation in Grüner Veltliner wines. Trying three different ones helped me understand the subtle differences between them. It was fascinating to taste the different expressions, from the classic Grüner Veltliner with its apple and stone fruit flavors to the Figaro Grüner Veltliner with its intense vanilla and coconut notes. This showed me how versatile and diverse Grüner Veltliner can be.
I also discovered a newfound appreciation for Zweigelt red wines. They were fresh and vibrant, with aromas of red fruit, strawberries, and cherries. The earthy undertones added complexity to the flavors. This expanded my understanding of Austrian red wines.
In addition, I enjoyed exploring Riesling and Chardonnay. The Riesling had a balance of fruity and floral notes with a hint of grass and hay. The Chardonnay was creamy with flavors of apple, peach, and vanilla.
The tasting of Bloody Muscat introduced me to a unique and intriguing wine. It had intense aromas of mango, papaya, and rosemary, and a complex flavor profile that was bitter, sour, and sweet. This wine challenged my palate and expanded my appreciation for unconventional styles.
Last but certainly not least, all the wines offered here provide excellent value for your money. With prices ranging between €10-20, you have a fantastic opportunity to explore a wide range of wines without exceeding your budget.
Conclusion
During this tasting, I had the chance to try a variety of wines from Austria, including Grüner Veltliner, Riesling, Chardonnay, Bloody Muscat, Zweigelt, and more. Each wine had its own unique characteristics, flavors, and profiles, giving a complete representation of the Austrian wine scene. Overall, this tasting expanded my knowledge and understanding of Austrian wines. It deepened my appreciation for the different grape varieties, flavor profiles, and winemaking techniques. I now have a greater admiration for the skill and passion that goes into making these wines. As a wine lover, I highly recommend exploring Austrian wines for their diversity, quality, and distinctive character.
Thanks again Marco and Joost from Puur Oostenrijk for giving me this opportunity to experience wines from Austria, I really enjoyed it.
For more information about the wines and the online shop, visit: https://puuroostenrijk.nl/
Sources
- Producer (official site)
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