The Grüner Veltliner Ried Steinberg 1.ÖTW 2025 from Fritsch hails from the limestone-rich loess terrace on the Wagram and demonstrates what Austria’s Erste Lagen are capable of.
Bottler: Vineyard Fritsch, Oberstockstall 24, A-3470 Kirchberg am Wagram / Austria
In the glass
Colour
Pale straw yellow to light lemon, with a slight green tinge and youthful brilliance.
Nose
Citrus nuances, green apple and pear fruit, followed by hints of delicate white pepper, herbs and a cool spiciness.
Palate
Dry, precisely contoured with firm acidity, fresh fruit and a cool finish shaped by the loess and limestone soils.
Character
A Veltliner built for depth and structure, sourced from vines up to 63 years old, which deliberately eschews overt primary fruit and has excellent ageing potential.
Pairing
Wiener Schnitzel, asparagus dishes and Asian-spiced cuisine.
Notes
Biodynamic cultivation since 2006, member of respekt-BIODYN; the Steinberg vineyard site on the Wagram is renowned for its limestone and loess soils formed from the ancient Tethys Sea terrace profile.
Tasting note
Character
A dry Grüner Veltliner of quiet authority: no overt fruit, but rather depth, structure and longevity. The wine displays the cool elegance that only old vines and great soils can produce – densely woven, with a fine thread of acidity and a persistent finish. A wine for the cellar that will gain in complexity over the years.
Terroir & Origin
The Ried Steinberg on the Wagram is situated on a south-facing loess terrace, that striking geological step which once formed the fossilised coastline of the Tethys Sea. The deep, calcareous loess soils retain water and nutrients like a sponge; here, on slate and granite, vines of up to 63 years of age grow at an altitude of around 240 metres. The result is a distinctive tension that one can taste.
Grape Variety & Vinification
Grüner Veltliner in its most serious form. Karl Fritsch has farmed his 25 hectares biodynamically since 2006 – as a founding member of respekt-BIODYN and a member of the Traditionsweingüter Österreich. His credo: not control, but accompaniment. Healthy soils, home-made compost, cosmic rhythms – artisanal consistency instead of cellar technology.
Food Pairings
The structure and creamy texture of this Veltliner call for substantial dishes: Wiener Schnitzel, pan-fried char or baked trout are classic partners. It also reveals its stature alongside asparagus, artichokes or smoked trout fillet. Those who prefer something heartier might opt for roast pork with dumplings or roast chicken – the wine carries such fare effortlessly.
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