Johann Donabaum Riesling Smaragd Vogelleithen 2023

The Wachau in Lower Austria is characterized by an impressive variety of soils, which is crucial for the quality of the wines. The steep terraced vineyards consist mainly of primary rock soils such as gneiss, slate and granite, which give the wines their distinctive minerality. The Riesling and Grüner Veltliner vines in particular benefit from the poor soils, which regulate the water balance and encourage the vines to root deep into the soil. This results in wines with great finesse and longevity.

Riesling is a first-class white wine known for its versatility and elegance. It typically presents an aromatic bouquet of fresh citrus fruits such as lime, grapefruit and green apple, accompanied by floral notes such as jasmine or lilac. On the palate, it is lively and refreshing, with a lively acidity that emphasizes the fruity aromas. A characteristic feature of Riesling is its ability to express terroir and origin, which can result in a wide range of flavors from dry to sweet. The dry Rieslings are crisp and mineral, while the sweet Rieslings have an impressive balance between sweetness and acidity. Overall, Riesling is a refreshing and expressive wine that pairs well with a variety of foods and is one of the best white wines in the world.

The vineyards of the Wachau, Lower Austria, are characterized by steep terraces that stretch along the Danube valley. These terraces offer ideal conditions for growing grape varieties such as Riesling and Grüner Veltliner. The unique microclimate, characterized by warm days and cool nights, ensures that the grapes ripen slowly, resulting in intense aromas. Cultivating the vineyards, which are often difficult to access, requires a lot of manual labor, which makes caring for the vines and harvesting particularly challenging.