Nikolaihof Riesling Federspiel Late Release 2016

With almost 2,000 years of history, Nikolaihof is the oldest winery in Austria and one of the first in the world to have begun working by biodynamic principles according to the regulations of the Demeter Association. In 1894 the Saahs family took over the estate and carried on the traditions the monks had established here. Integrated farming continued, and even as winemaking and grape growing took a larger role at Nikolaihof in the 1960s, chemicals were never used in farming. Nikolaihof has been practicing Bio-dynamics since 1971, making them one of the longest Bio-dynamic practicing wineries in the world. Nikolaihof became Demeter certified Biodynamic in 1998. Annual bottle production of 95 000 bottles.

Grape Varietals & Region: 100% Riesling from the Wachau, Austria. For this particular Federspiel, Nikolaihof sources fruit from the Vom Stein (a sub-site of Silberbichel), which has gneiss, mica, and loess soils.

Vom Stein is not technically a vineyard name, but a vineyard territory (cluster of vineyards) once known by this name. Nikolaihof aims to maintain the ancient traditions of this area and retains this name for this wine

Taste Profile: This beautiful Riesling from Nikolaihof offers a very pretty bouquet, showing pretty scent of citrus fruits, lemon curd and apricot. It is incredibly fresh with sweet notes of honey and brioche and a subtle anise underpin. It is bright and juicy with the sweetness of fruits and stimulating acidity. Great pleasure in the mouth as the juiciness flirts with the tongue with a touch of spice.

The low alcohol contributes to the palate’s desire for more and for the accompaniment of a cuisine that seems as aromatic and original as the wine itself.

Winemaking Process: The wine is fermented on the grapes own, natural yeasts and stored in a large, old wooden cask. After 5 years of maturation in a big, old oak cask the wine is bottled on a fruit day.