#WineChat Riesling – The Final Round – A Recap

It is with a heavy heart that we write that this will be the last #WineChat Riesling chat in conjunction with the Summer of Riesling, but we are so thrilled with the results this year that it’s hard to be sad.

If you aren’t familiar with what went down, take a look at our pre-post outlining the details of chat.

To recap, though, we joined forces with old-world Riesling regions Germany and Alsace for the third time this year to promote Riesling as a whole in a non-competitive level playing field aimed simply at educating participants of the virtues of Riesling from top terroirs of each country.

What ensued was a comprehensive chat discussing the each wine in length alongside vintage characteristics, facts about the regions, soils, climates, etc.

Take a look at our list:

Austrian wine overall:

• Some facts about #Riesling in #Austria… one of most highly respected varieties here #wine chat
• #Riesling plantings in #Austria rose 13% from 1999-2009 #wine chat
• #Riesling is sometimes referred to as #TheKingofWhiteWines #winechat
• #Austria #Riesling is dominated by notes of stone fruits like peach & apricot, & exotic fruits w/ mineral (slate/flint) #winechat
• #Riesling from #Austria is always dry. #winechat
• #Kamptal in #LowerAustria is 4k hectares & one of largest areas #WineChat @summerriesling

2011 Vintage Overall:

• Some reading for later : @winespectator’s report on the #2011 #vintage in #europe http://www.winespectator.com/webfeature/show/id/46005 #winechat #wine @SummerRiesling
• In #Austria the #2011 #vintages was “back to normal” after two smaller vintages in #09 #10 #winechat @SummerRiesling
• #Austria’s #2011 #vintage is a #drinknow vintage compared with 2010. They’re just friendlier #winechat @SummerRiesling
• #Austrian #grapes were healthy and happy in #2011 #winechat @SummerRiesling
• #Austria’s weather was a bit of a roller coaster in 2011 – warm spring, cool summer, hot, dry fall #winechat @SummerRiesling
• Ideal weather conditions = #2011 a long, but rewarding harvest (oct-feb) #Austria. Grapes were picked when ready, not for weather #Winechat @SummerRiesling
• #Riesling in #Austria was said to “garner overall accolades” .. outstanding & long aging potential #winechat @SummerRiesling
• #Austria #Riesling has brilliant clarity & fruit in 2011 now and onward #winechat @SummerRiesling

Brandl:

• #WeingutBrandl founded by #JohannBrandl two generations ago, today, Petra & Guenther are in charge #WineChat #Riesling @SummerRiesling
• #Brandl focuses on tradition, quality, and experience #WineChat #Riesling @SummerRiesling
• #Brandl’s winery is located in the #Kamptal in the #Zoebing region near the #KampRiver #WineChat #Riesling @SummerRiesling
• The #Heilingenstein is located in the #Zobing region, too, and is one of the top vineyard sites in #Austria #WineChat #Riesling @SummerRiesling
• #Wine from this region is typically #fruity and fresh w/ aging potential #WineChat #Riesling @SummerRiesling
• #Brandl’s vineyards total 9.5ha, are 100% white #grapes: #Riesling, #GV #GelberMuskateller #WineChat #StraightOuttaKamptal @SummerRiesling
• #Heilingenstein is an #ErsteLage vineyard aka #FirstGrowth & has several producers w/ plantings #WineChat #StraightOuttaKamptal #Riesling @SummerRiesling
• #Wine from #Heilingenstein is juicy w/ mineral flavors and #stonefruit #winechat #austria #Riesling @SummerRiesling
• #Soils in #Heilingenstein is reddish conglomerate of #sandstone originated in #PermianAge #winechat #brandl #Riesling @SummerRiesling
• More on #soils desert sandstone with volcanic components dating back to the Paleozoic era, 270 million years ago. #WineChat #Heilingenstein
• #Riesling on #Heilingenstein is grown on steep terraces on the southern slope #winechat @summerriesling
• #Weather conditions of #Heilingenstein #Kamptal are #foggy & #misty #winechat #Riesling @SummerRiesling
• @WineandSpirits 92 pts #WineChat tension in wine between fresh, ripe fruit aromas and salty, smoky undertones (more: https://winelibrary.com/wines/51134-2007+Brandl+Riesling+Heiligenstein+750ML)
•  .@MSWalker has more info on this specific #Brandl wine for you #WineChat #Riesling @SummerRiesling

Our Trip:

• On a recent trip, we had the chance to #geologically explore the #Heilingenstein w. a group of #HappyKampers #WineChat (cc @spitpaul) #Riesling @SummerRiesling
• Here are some pictures from our recent trip #Heilingenstein #Kamptal #WineChat #Brandl #StraightOuttaKamptal #Riesling @SummerRiesling
• Our trip included #Brandl, but also #Brundlmayer #Hirsch #Hiedler #SchlossGobelsburg #Jurtschitsch #Topf #Loimer #WineChat #Heilingenstein #HappyKampers #StraightOuttaKamptal #Riesling @SummerRiesling
• Check out a recent tasting in the #Kamptal of #Heilingenstein #WineChat (picture of tasting list) @SummerRiesling
• Learn more about our trip https://austrianwineusa.com/2014/06/30/tour-of-heilingenstein-focus-on-riesling-can-you-taste-the-rocks/ #Heilingenstein #rocks #dirt #WineChat #soil #Riesling @SummerRiesling
• On #Heilingenstein… a #Picnic isn’t just a #picnic #WineChat… not the mention the #wines!! #Riesling #HappyKampers #StraightOuttaKamptal @SummerRiesling

Paul Grieco’s notes:

• Get to know all the #FactsofAustrian Riesling (According to @spitpaul) https://austrianwineusa.com/2014/08/06/facts-about-riesling/ #WineChat @SummerRiesling
• .@SpitPaul says #Austria sits b/t @germanwineusa & @drinkalsace in style w/ great #acidity & more power than #Germany #WineChat (#Smaragd exception) @SummerRiesling
• .@SpitPaul says #Riesling is a “WildCard” b/c so many styles #WineChat #Riesling @SummerRiesling
• “The Glory of #Riesling is the multiplicity of styles” @spitpaul says #WineChat @SummerRiesling
• .@SpitPaul says “Austrian #Riesling can be summed up in “one sentence.” #WineChat … Thoughts? @SummerRiesling
• .@spitpaul “Ultimate Goal: That Rieslings becomes the ultimate popular grape in the world.” #WineChat #Riesling @SummerRiesling
• .@spitpaul “Brandl is urgestein and Schlossberg is probably more on chalk and sandstone, producing juicer rounder wines.” #WineChat #Riesling @SummerRiesling
• .@spitpaul “Brandl is closer to the pit, a little bit leaner, bit bitter, a bit more streamline. “#Riesling @SummerRiesling
• .@spitpaul says highlights of @SummerRiesling have been “
  Meeting the Austrian president & Wearing Lederhosen”… bittschoen.” #WineChat #Riesling
• And we must not forget the Official #OdetoAustrianRiesling by @spitpaul @summeriesling #WineChat https://austrianwineusa.com/riesling/the-official-ode-to-austrian-riesling/ #Riesling
• Thanks @plepeltier for this great #Riesling & food pairing https://austrianwineusa.com/riesling/featured-food-pairing-wine-director-pascaline-lepeltier-of-rouge-tomate-hawaiian-walu-ceviche-w-jutta-ambrositsch-oberer-reisenberg-riesling-2008/ #ThrowBack #WineChat
•  And thanks @beerguy1 for THIS great pairing https://austrianwineusa.com/riesling/featured-food-and-wine-pairing-hearth-restaurants-sommelier-and-manager-matt-stinton-chef-jordan-frosolone-roasted-chatham-cod-with-rudi-pichler-riesling-smaragd-2007/ #WineChat #Riesling #throwback

And stay tuned for an exclusive interview with the Overlord of Riesling, himself, Paul Grieco.