Riesling 'Küss den Pfennig' Smaragd 2021/2022 Schmidl Organic Wine

Nutritional information per 100 ml

Contains negligible amounts of fat, saturates, protein and salt.

Riesling

Descriptions of Riesling overflow with praise. It is called the most important white grape, one of the 'cépages nobles', the French term for the world's noblest varieties, and the 'queen of white wines'. The countless synonyms in many languages readily suggest how widespread it is. Exactly where this exceptional grape's success story began remains unclear, although it most probably originated in the Rhine Valley. Historical documents record trade in the old variety there. Even if its birthplace is unknown, DNA analysis has identified its parents. In this special case, there are said to have been three: a wild vine, Traminer and white Heunisch. We will leave the morals of this 'ménage à trois' unjudged; in sensory terms, however, it is a highlight. Fruity aromas including apricot, peach and citrus, with harmonious acidity, body and extract: that is Riesling in the glass. The grape ripens slowly and late, making northern areas with heat-retaining soils, such as the Rhine, Mosel and Saar valleys, the Palatinate and Alsace, particularly suitable. It is thus selective about site, while making comparatively modest demands on soil composition. The range of Rieslings on offer consequently extends from uncomplicated everyday wines to award-winning wines of the highest quality.

A clear, clean Riesling from fully ripe grapes. Weingut Schmidl's Riesling seems almost opulent, yet has the necessary backbone for a long life.

Schmidl wine estate

Bakers and winegrowers: the Schmidl family has combined these two occupations for generations. For a long time, however, the bakery and confectionery business was the main focus. This is what made the family name famous: Rudolf Schmidl invented the 'Wachauer Laberl' bread roll in 1905, and this tradition is maintained. Only small quantities of wine were bottled by the family and sold in the bakery. At that time, many plots were leased to big names such as F. X. Pichler or Knoll, or the grapes were sold. All that changed in 2009. That year, the two businesses were separated and Theresa Harm took over winegrowing from her father. She immediately converted to organic farming, still very rare in the conservative Wachau, and began making more of the wines herself. It is remarkable that, in a world-famous region such as the Wachau, an estate with such potential and such wonderful sites could have lain unnoticed in a Sleeping Beauty slumber for years. How fortunate that Theresa awakened it!