{"title":"Austria | Wachau","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0106\/1539\/0266\/files\/Wachau_Collection_Banner.jpg?v=1554969415\" alt=\"Steep terraced vineyards in Austria's Wachau wine region\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Wachau wine region of Austria is a UNESCO world heritage site and an area of great natural beauty, situated in the Danube River valley between the towns of Melk and Krems. Grüner Veltliner and Riesling are the dominant grape varieties of the region, partly planted on steeply inclined hillsides terraces. The top vineyard sites here produce some of the best white wines in the world, with decades of ageing potential.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the early 1980s a select group of innovative producers in the Wachau created their own organisation aptly called the Vinea Wachau Nobilis Districtus. According to their bylaws, dry white wines are divided into three distinct categories: Steinfeder, Federspiel, and Smaragd. Each refers to the the must weight and the level of alcohol in the wines which determines the style of the wine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSteinfeder:\u003c\/strong\u003e  This is the lightest style of the three, offering fresh, fruity wines with a maximum of 11.5% alcohol by volume. These wines are generally crafted from the earliest picked grapes in the Wachau and also fetch the lowest prices. Steinfeder wines are named after the tall feather-like grass typically grown near the vineyards, Stipa pennata, which is light and fragrant - similar to the wines of the same name.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFederspiel:\u003c\/strong\u003e Named after a falcon often hunted in the Wachau, these wines are second on the three-tier classification system. They are between 11.5% and 12.5% alcohol by volume. Federspiel wines are typically classified as strong wines with a generous amount of character, but their relatively low alcohol content allows for more than just one glass!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSmaragd:\u003c\/strong\u003e Smaragd wines are the most coveted wines of the Wachau. They have a minimum of 12.5% abv and are made from grapes with the highest level of ripeness and concentration of sugars. The wines are not sweet as a general rule, but boast a rich body in both weight and flavour. Smaragd wines get their name from an emerald-lizard that lives in the vineyard of the Wachau who has the same name. These wines are also the most suitable for ageing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese classifications can only be used by member wineries of the Codex Wachau and are only used for white wines grown in the region.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"rudi-pichler-gruner-veltliner-federspiel","title":"Rudi Pichler Grüner Veltliner Federspiel 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003eRudi Pichler is among the elite growers of the Wachau producing wines of precision, power, and longevity. His Grüner Veltliner Federspiel comes from vineyards on the valley floor, hillsides, and upper terraces. The term Federspiel is used by members of the Vinea Wachau indicating a dry wine between 11.5% and 12.5% alcohol. Grüner Veltliner is the signature grape of Austria and produces a dry white wine with savoury aromas, spicy flavours, and good acidity. Grüner Veltliner Federspiel from the Wachau is a medium-weight wine and is fresh in style with notes of green apple, lemon and radish. Grüner Veltliner’s bright acidity and savoury character make it an ideal partner to mildly spiced Thai, and Chinese flavours. Fish and shellfish are accented by Grüner Veltliner’s citrus and mineral profile while its acidity cuts the richness of pork or ham. It can also work well with foods that are difficult to pair such as asparagus.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Rudi Pichler","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":23012645240890,"sku":"A23PICHLERGVFED-1","price":23.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0106\/1539\/0266\/products\/Gruner_Veltliner.jpg?v=1554966334"},{"product_id":"rudi-pichler-gruner-veltliner-reid-kollmutz-smaragd","title":"Rudi Pichler Grüner Veltliner Reid Kollmutz Smaragd 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003eRudi Pichler's Grüner Veltliner Reid Kollmutz Smaragd is sourced from vines in excess of 40 years planted on impressive terraces with deep, strongly decomposed crystalline rocks (paragneiss). Full-bodied, clear and highly elegant on the palate, this is a rich and intense but also pure, fresh and perfectly balanced Grüner Veltliner with a sweet and salty-piquant finish. [#intro]Rich, intense, pure \u0026amp; elegant this is a beautifully balanced Grüner Veltliner...[\/intro]\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Rudi Pichler","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":39483333410883,"sku":"A23PICHLERGVSMARAGD-1","price":55.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0106\/1539\/0266\/products\/GVSmaragdBottle.jpg?v=1628341011"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0106\/1539\/0266\/collections\/Wachau_Collection_Image.jpg?v=1554969558","url":"https:\/\/hic.wine\/collections\/wachau-wine-region-austria\/wachau.oembed","provider":"Hic!","version":"1.0","type":"link"}