Welschriesling Ottenberg Veitlhansl, Südsteiermark DAC 2020

Wine description for Welschriesling Ottenberg Veitlhansl Südsteiermark DAC 2020 by Tement

Colour & Appearance

Bright, luminous straw yellow with greenish reflections – a visual promise of freshness and precision.

Nose

Purist, cool, almost meditative. A veil of cold smoke and chalky minerality dominate initially, whilst the fruit remains restrained. Delicate notes of mirabelle plum, white peach and nashi pear – almost like green papaya. The herbal side is distinctly more prominent: nettle, coriander and lemon balm lend the wine an ethereal, almost meditative dimension. This is no fruit bomb, but rather a wine of character with edges and angles.

Palate

Clear as a mountain stream, taut as its current. This Welschriesling displays impressive directness and tension. Slender in cut, but by no means thin – rather juicy and of enormous drinking appeal. The interplay between vibrant acidity and saline minerality is magnificent. Pale floral aromas come to the fore, whilst subtle yeast notes bear witness to extended ageing. A wine that radiates calm whilst simultaneously electrifying.

Finish

Long, cool, mineral. The saline freshness lingers, accompanied by a fine herbal spiciness. A finale that invites the next sip.

Terroir & Origin

The Riede Ottenberg Veitlhansl lies on a high plateau above Ehrenhausen, approximately 330 metres above sea level. The calcareous sandstone with loamy clay overlay shapes the character of this wine decisively and lends it its remarkable mineral depth.

Grape Variety & Vinification

26-year-old Welschriesling vines, spontaneously fermented and aged for 24 months in neutral 500-litre barrels. Unfiltered bottling – a vinification approach marked by patience and respect for the terroir. The result is a wine of extraordinary clarity and authenticity.

Food Pairing Recommendations

Perfect with steamed char with creamy kohlrabi, grilled green asparagus with potato and broccoli pan or an exotic papaya and mango salad with peanuts and silken tofu. Its herbal side harmonises beautifully with vegetarian dishes and delicate fish.

Special Features

A Welschriesling that demonstrates what this often underestimated grape variety is capable of. Tement impressively proves that great wines need not be loud – sometimes greatness lies in silence.