Roter Veltliner Ried Steinberg 1.ÖTW 2023

Wine Description for Roter Veltliner Ried Steinberg 1.ÖTW 2023 by Fritsch

Colour & Appearance

Medium straw yellow with vibrant, crystalline brilliance in the glass – a white wine that promises substance from the outset.

Nose

The nose is seductively complex and of rare distinctiveness: ripe mirabelle plums and red apples form the fruity core, accompanied by a hint of blood orange zest and delicate berry notes. Beneath lies an almost creamy depth – almond cream, roasted nuts, a whisper of brioche and a fine, restrained layer of honey. No heaviness, but elegance with character.

Palate

On the palate, the wine unfolds considerable power and depth. Herbal-peppery notes and a subtle smoky character contrast pleasingly with the ripe, golden fruit. The spiciness typical of the Traminer family runs through the wine like a red thread, lending it unmistakable identity. The acidity is rounded and clearly defined, the grip pleasant with fine tannins – unusual for a white wine and a sign of its distinctiveness.

Finish

Long, substantial and spicy. The finish delivers on what the nose promises – with lingering spiciness and a mineral aftertaste that makes the provenance from weathered slate and granite palpable.

Terroir & Origin

The Ried Steinberg lies in the Austrian Wagram at 310 to 330 metres altitude, steeply oriented towards the south-east. The subsoil of slate, loess and granite lends the wine its mineral tension and structural rigour – a terroir that demands depth and delivers it.

Grape Variety & Vinification

The Roter Veltliner – not to be confused with Grüner Veltliner, although both likely share Savagnin (Traminer) as a common ancestor – is one of Austria’s rarest grape varieties with only around 260 hectares of vineyard area remaining. The 14-year-old vines produce concentrated, characterful fruit. Vinification took place through spontaneous fermentation in a 2,000-litre acacia wood barrel – a vessel that lends the wine texture without overworking it. Alcohol: 12.5% vol.

Food Pairing Suggestions

The wine’s spiciness and power make it ideal for roasted poultry, calf’s sweetbreads or grilled pike-perch with herb butter. It also makes an excellent companion to spicy hard cheeses or game terrine.

Special Features

Classified as 1. ÖTW (Österreichische Traditionsweingüter) – the Austrian equivalent of Burgundy’s vineyard site classification. A wine for discoverers: rare, idiosyncratic and of convincing authenticity.