Eight of the Niederösterreich (Lower Austria) state champions at the 2020 Niederösterreich Landesweinprämierung (Lower Austria State Wine Awards) come from the Weinviertel. The region was particularly successful and proved its strength in the supreme discipline, Grüner Veltliner. Weinviertel was the champion in both the light-bodied category “Grüner Veltliner leicht” and the full-bodied category “Grüner Veltliner gehaltvoll”!
Weinviertel wines once again proved their unique expression and high quality at the Lower Austrian State Wine Awards 2020, which took place for the 33rd time this year. Eight out of eighteen victories went to the Weinviertel! The Weinviertel won the competition for the best wines of the state in Niederösterreich’s two most important categories: “Grüner Veltliner leicht” and “Grüner Veltliner gehaltvoll”. Hans Setzer, Chairman of the Regional Wine Committee Weinviertel enthuses, “I am especially pleased about the success of the Weinviertel winegrowers in our region’s most important grape variety, Grüner Veltliner. This once again proves the Weinviertel’s great expertise and strength in Austria’s leading grape variety. Precision, sensitivity and know-how are decisive factors for great success; our victorious wineries have proven this impressively and confirm our chosen path. Congratulations to the winning producers!”
GRÜNER VELTLINER LEICHT (light-bodied): WEINVIERTEL DAC Ried Schafwampen 2019, Weingut Thomas Neuhold, Unterdürnbach
GRÜNER VELTLINER GEHALTVOLL (full-bodied): Grüner Veltliner Ried Königsberg vom Löss 2019, Weingut Gerald Schneider, Röschitz, www.weingutschneider.at
WELSCHRIESLING: Welschriesling 2019, Weingut Epp, Waidendorf, www.weingut-epp.at
CHARDONNAY: Chardonnay Ried Sandgrube 2019, Weingut Ludwig Hofbauer, Unterretzbach, www.weingut-hofbauer.at
SAUVIGNON BLANC: Sauvignon Blanc Ried Königsberg 2019, Weingut Ruttenstock, Röschitz, www.ruttenstock.at
SCHMECKERTE (aromatic): Gewürztraminer 2018, Weingut Egon Puhwein, Mailberg, www.puhwein.at
FRUCHTIGE ROTWEINE (fruity red wines): Blauer Zweigelt 2019, Weingut Hagn, Mailberg, www.hagn-weingut.at
ZWEIGELT RESERVE: Zweigelt Adagio 2017, Weingut Lorenz Strobl, 2170 Poysdorf, www.wein-strobl.at
33rd Niederösterreich Landesweinprämierung
The Niederösterreich Landesweinprämierung (Lower Austria State Wine Awards) is Austria’s largest wine competition. 836 wineries participated in the state competition this year with a total of 5,200 wines submitted for tasting. The best wines of Niederösterreich (Lower Austria) were chosen for 18 different categories. The winning wines receive the privilege to carry this year’s state champion seal. The award has well-established recognition among both winegrowers and consumers as a confirmation of quality and is a valued orientation aid in the search for the best wines.
Special Prize TOP HEURIGEN goes to Weingut Neustifter
Within the scope of the 2020 Niederösterreich Landesweinprämierung (Lower Austria State Wine Awards), the regional Heurigen (traditional winery taverns) presented their superb wines. The most successful Heurigen of Niederösterreich (Lower Austria) were awarded. Weingut Neustifter and the winey tavern Wein.Küche, both from Weinviertel, convinced the jury with highest wine quality and hospitality.
Special Prize Wine Ambassador goes to Harald Scholl of VINUM Magazine
A new Niederösterreich (Lower Austria) wine ambassador was also awarded during the prize ceremony. Harald Scholl, deputy editor-in-chief of VINUM wine magazine, was honoured by the former state governor Erwin Pröll. Harald Scholl states, “It is a great honour to be appointed the ambassador of Niederösterreich wine for a year. It is a tremendous pleasure to have the opportunity to present these varied and versatile wines.” Harald Scholl is also a true Weinviertel connoisseur and lover of the region. He has hosted numerous tastings and master classes for the Weinviertel over the years.
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Retz Wine Week winners presented at the launch of the Retz Country Party
The newly created “Retz Country Party” offered a wonderful opportunity to taste the Weinviertel wine diversity. Numerous Weinviertel producers opened their wineries and cellar doors to the public on Sunday, 29 August 2020 from 11 AM to 7 PM. At this alternative to the popular Retz Wine Festival, wine lovers had the opportunity to explore the best wines of the western Weinviertel and enjoy culinary specialties in a pleasant rural atmosphere. The winning wines of the 51st Retz Wine Week were also part of this event. More than 600 wines, including around 170 Weinviertel DAC wines, were submitted for the Retz Wine Week competition. After thorough tasting by the jurors, Weingut Heinzl-Gettinger from Deinzendorf bears the title Winemaker of the Year, Winzerhof Wurst from Schrattenthal is the Weinviertel DAC Champion of 2020, and the other 19 varietal category winners impressively highlight the wine diversity of Niederösterreich (Lower Austria)!
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Vintage 2019: the Legend of the Nines Lives!
Vintages ending with “9” have turned out to be particularly good remarkably often. This legendary series continues with the 2019 vintage. A warm winter with little precipitation was followed by variable spring weather. April was again very warm, while the coldest May since 1991 brought abundant rain and decelerated development of the vines. In retrospect, this wet period was undoubtedly a stroke of luck; it contributed decisively to ensuring that the vines survived the hot summer months unscathed. From the end of August onward, a cooler period set in. Pleasantly cool nights enhanced fruit aromas and acid structure in the wines. Autumn was very mild and allowed the main harvest to take place as planned.
Photos:
Lower Austria State Wine Champions: © LK NÖ/Leonardo Ramirez
Retz Wine Week: © Bezirksweinbauverband Retz/P. Buchgraber
Bottle from above: © RWK Weinviertel/Sam Palandech
