Domäne Wachau Terrassen Federspiel 2019: classic Grüner Veltliner from one of a number of Federspiel styles produced by a major domain at Dürnstein. These vineyards are in the narrow valley of the Danube to the west and upstream from Vienna, this is the heart of the area known for Austria’s finest dry white wines in traditional styles.
The Federspiel is 100% Handlese varietal, this bottle is from old vines, terraced on the slopes away from the Danube on soil with a high content of granite gneiss.
We found the wine subtle in flavour, as with its colour; smooth of course but not particularly acidic and not particularly alcoholic. Floral nose with a reminder of elderflower for Terry, I was reminded of pear. It matched well Terry’s Lemon Sole landed at our local port Newhaven, which he had baked and accompanied with his saffron sauce for our New Year’s Eve dinner.
Historically, Dürnstein is one of the places in Austria where King Richard the Lionheart (of England) was held captive while a ransom of many tons of silver was demanded after he had been saved from a shipwreck. Richard was located by the troubadour Blondel to whom Richard replied with the second verse of the song that Blondel had sung outside Dürnstein castle.
Frohes neues Jahr to Wolf in Niederösterreich, and of course Terry chef.