Discovering wine is always a super fun thing to do, especially from regions that aren’t so commonly known. I had the chance to experience the amazing taste of Austria through the Puur Oostenrijk webshop. Huge shoutout to PuurOostenrijk for giving me this opportunity! As a result, I learned a ton about wines from Austria, and now I can share it all with you! I got 8 bottles from different winemakers in various regions of Austria. The best part of this experience was tasting the 3 different wines made from Grüner Veltliner. One gave me the typical Grüner Veltliner experience, while the other one gave me a totally new perspective. The tasting of red wines made from Zweigelt also left a strong impression! Plus, I got to try a gorgeous Riesling and Chardonnay. Each one of them was a beautiful, elegant wine with its own unique character, which really lets you get to know the winemaker’s identity. The purity and elegance come from the winemakers’ passion and strict rules.
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
Color: The wine has a light yellow color with a translucent rim.
Nose: The aroma is of medium intensity, typical of Grüner Veltliner, with fresh apple, fruity notes, stone fruit, and flint.
Palate: The wine is medium complexity, round, and creamy, with a slight salty aftertaste. It offers flavors of pear, pineapple, spice, and medium (+) acidity.
Overall: This wine is very tasty and refreshing, filling your mouth nicely. It is elegant without being too pronounced.
Salzl Figaro Grüner Veltliner 2021
Color: The color is a light yellow, slightly more intense than the previous one, with a translucent rim.
Nose: The aroma is super intense! It is a vanilla bomb with hints of coconut and fruity notes of apple. There are also roasted and smoked wood notes that are very pronounced.
Palate: The wine is fresh and fruity, with strong vanilla tones and grated coconut, which gives it a slight sweetness without being overly sweet. There are also notes of grass, a hint of yeastiness, and a touch of Galia melon. The acidity is medium.
Overall: This is a special wine that resembles Chardonnay with a twist, as it has lots of fruit and apple flavors with a light smoky and roasted note.
Schödl Grün Grün Grüner Veltliner 2021
Color: Medium yellow.
Nose: Smells of freshly baked apple pie, cinnamon, floral notes, fresh and fruity apple, and peach. You could also describe these aromas as reminiscent of an old book of records with some wet wool.
Palate: Energetic apple flavors, both green and red, with hints of cinnamon, green herbs, and a slight cheesy note. Medium (+) acidity that comes across quite sharp. A beautiful combination of bold flavors with subtle apple, fruit, and spiciness.
Overall: The wine is super juicy and pleasantly surprising in taste. It’s a typical natural wine with a unique and edgy vibe.
Mantler31 Riesling Ried Fumberg Wagram DAC 2021
Color in the glass: medium yellow
Nose: ripe fruit, petrol, exotic fruit, pineapple, raspberry candies, ripe red apple
Palate: full-bodied, salty, medium acidity, fruity, peach, full mouthfeel with lots of pleasure, hint of grass, hay, red apple
Overall: The taste is fuller than the aroma suggests. It has fine acidity and is surprisingly delicious and tasty wine.
Salzl Chardonnay New Style 2021
Color in the glass: medium yellow.
Nose: Creamy apple butter with a hint of caramel, peach, vanilla, and light coconut.
Palate: The palate offers flavors of peach, nectarine, vanilla, buttery apple, caramel, and a touch of hazelnut. It has a rich flavor, is very tasty, has medium acidity, and a very long finish.
Overall: This wine is beautiful and well-balanced, with interesting flavors and aromas that linger, enticing you to discover more.
Schödl Bloody Muscat 2022
Color: The wine has a pinkish light red hue.
Nose: The aroma is intensely mango and exotic, with hints of papaya, peach, nectarine, and a surprising touch of rosemary and dried green herbs.
Palate: The taste combines bitter, sour, and sweet flavors, with multiple layers that blend together. The wine has a slight sparkle and a tangy, bitter grapefruit taste. There are also notes of nectarine, with light tannins and medium(+) acidity. The flavors of grapefruit, lemon, and lime zest are prominent. The wine offers many flavors, which, although not complex, are pleasant and dry.
Overall: This wine is interesting, but it may not appeal to everyone. It is not a wine for casual drinking and requires a strong companion to be fully appreciated. It really stood out.
Mantler31 Zweigelt Gesang 2019
Color in the glass: medium light red with a purple glow.
Nose: Earthy with medium intensity, fresh red fruit, a hint of strawberry, a touch of cherry, slightly musty, chemical notes, and a hint of leather.
Palate: Earthy and slightly musty, with flavors of cherries, raspberries, strawberries, warm red clay, medium tannins, and medium acidity.
Overall: This wine is friendly and pleasant, suitable for pairing with meals or a cheese platter. It is not a heavy wine, but it presents nicely.
Salzl Zweigelt Reserve 2018
Color: The wine has a deep purple color with a light rim.
Nose: The aroma is intense and captivating. It features warm cherries and a distinct, rich scent. There are also notes of dried fruit, such as plum and cherries, along with hints of chocolate. The aroma is further enhanced by the presence of vanilla, coconut, and smoky undertones.
Palate: The wine offers a full and intense fruity flavor, balanced with medium tannins and acidity. You can taste ripe red fruit, vanilla, smoky notes, apple, tobacco, and strawberry flavors.
Overall: This wine is perfect for pairing with food. It delivers intense yet approachable flavors that many people find appealing. With its beautiful color, taste, and structure, it is a truly enjoyable experience.
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/
