Hannes Sabathi - Ried Jägersberg Grauburgunder 2020

There were neither dry periods, nor strong thunderstorms in the summer and so the harvest was started under perfect conditions in mid- September. These conditions were ideal and produced perfectly ripe grapes making the vintage 2020 exceptional. All grapes were hand harvested as dictated by the landscape.

Fermentation took place with the use of native yeasts in old 1500L barrels. The wine was then matured in neutral barrels on their full lees without sulfur addition for 16 months. The wine was then racked, sulfured, and just before being bottled, fined one last time through a rocky substance called kieselguhr trapping any left solids in the micro-crystalline rock structure. The resulting wines are absolutely flawless with diamond-like brilliance to the eye.

Grapes are grown organically on the sides of steep mountain slopes in the southern corner of the country. Styria (Steiermark) produces just 5% of Austria's wine, but even that number is impressive considering just a generation or two ago there was almost no grapes being grown here. In the past, people tried to plant grapes on the flat valley lands. Due to the humidity, these had bad rot problems. After the anti-freeze scandal of the mid 80s, folks began experimenting in the region. This led to vineyards being planted on mountain slopes at high elevation to combat humidity. A strong focus on international grapes has led Pinot Gris to be stand out here. Pinot Gris is known as Grauburgunder in Austria, a synonym it also has in Germany. The Jägersberg Pinot Gris is equivalent to a Premier Cru level wine in Burgundy or an Erste Lage in German VDP classification.

Pork Schnitzel with White Gravy, Cauliflower Steaks, Sunchokes, Vol-au-Vent, Veal, Whole Roasted Chicken, Potatoes, Onion Soup

• Austrian, Belgian, German, American, French