Grüner Veltliner Riede Steiner Schreck "Dritter Akt" unfiltriert 2021

Slightly cloudy golden yellow with green reflections. A dry Grüner Veltliner of slender stature and tremendous drive: 10.5% ABV, bottled unfiltered, carried by an acidity that provides tension to the wine rather than sharpness. Delicate and mineral-driven.

The Riede Steiner Schreck vineyard is situated in Stein an der Donau near Krems. Here and in the Riede Braunsdorfer, Markus and Heideline Lang cultivate 2.5 hectares of 80 to 100-year-old vines, farmed biodynamically according to Demeter standards, as pioneers of biodynamic viticulture along the Danube. The cellar is carved deep into the mountain's gneiss bedrock.

100% Grüner Veltliner, harvested not by sugar levels, but according to pH—for Grüner Veltliner at pH 3.0. Pressing takes place over several days under the open sky on a tree press with 100 tonnes of pressure, designed by Markus Lang himself after 25 years in aircraft engineering; it achieves an 80% juice yield. Following spontaneous fermentation, the wine matures on its full lees in large wooden casks inside a bombproof World War II tunnel at a constant 9 °C. Bottled with minimal sulphur.

Initially flinty, smoky, yeasty, opening with air to reveal citrus fruits, starfruit, green apple along with chamomile, dried rose, and elderflower blossoms. The acidity runs stringently through, embedded in fruit and body. Everything feels floating and delicate; the wine is mouth-watering.

Grilled golden beetroot with potato, harissa, and Pecorino, confit swordfish with buttermilk and cucumber, or ham mousse with sesame crunch and steamed yellow bell pepper.

"Dritter Akt" refers to the estate's only Grüner Veltliner that still matures entirely in large wooden casks. The estate produces around 12,000 bottles per year; the label carries the Demeter logo.