Learning about Welschriesling
One of my friends here in Istanbul is a lovely Austrian woman, Su. Originally from Graz, she’s been in Istanbul almost 10 years but goes back and forth to Austria relatively frequently. Su, bless her, is a great supporter of my goal to drink and learn about all the wines. She does her best to further my education by bringing back examples of Austrian wine. One she often brings is Welschriesling.
Welschriesling, which is a completely separate grape from Riesling, is an important grape in Steiermark (also known as Styria). Many
consider the wines to be uninteresting or at best neutral. Usually low in alcohol, fresh, and easy; I find them rather pleasant myself. Winemakers in the Burgenland regard this as the best variety to make Trockenbeerenauslese (TBA) wines because the grape’s thin skin make it particularly susceptible to botrytis.
Kratzer Kittenberg Welschriesling 2015 Tasting Notes
A Qualitätswein from Südsteiermark (Southern Styria), the Kratzer Kittenberg displayed some really beautiful aromatic qualities. A nose full of white stone fruit, tangy gooseberry, and mineral I was reminded very much of New Zealand wines. Very dry and lively on the palate, 11.5% abv, and refreshing fruit flavors of star fruit, pineapple, citrus, this was far too easy to drink.
Krispel Welschriesling Klassik 2016 Tasting Notes
A Qualitätswein from Steiermark, the wine showed a brilliant, intense lemon color in the glass. Clean and bright aromas of crisp green apple, lime, and saline unfolded from the nose. On the palate the wine was crunchy and fresh with lively acid and flavors of green apple, grapefruit, and lime zest. With only 11.5% abv it was an enjoyable, light wine.
F. Kohl Welschriesling 2015 Tasting Notes
For this Welschriesling from Weinhof Familie Kohl we move to the Vulkanland area of Steiermark. Also a Qualitätswein, the F. Kohl leaned more mineral than the previous wines. No surprise given that it comes from an area literally named “Volcano Land”! It began with green apple, citrus, and clean sea air in the nose. Apple and citrus were also present on the palate but what I really liked about this one was the smokey, flinty, mineral finish. Just on the cusp of medium body with 12% abv, this was a lively and thoroughly interesting example of Welschriesling.