Weingut Emmerich Knoll : Grüner Veltliner Ried Loibenberg Smaragd 2023

Characteristics and Tasting Notes for the Grüner Veltliner Ried Loibenberg Smaragd 2023 Weingut Emmerich Knoll

Tasting

Colour
This white wine from Austria reveals a delicate pale yellow-green hue, enhanced by subtle silvery reflections. Its medium visual concentration reflects a lovely youthfulness and great vibrancy.

Nose
Restrained and elegant in its early youth, the bouquet gradually opens onto aromas of stone fruit such as pear, nectarine and white peach, accompanied by yellow apple. Notes of citrus, particularly Meyer lemon and lemongrass, bring precision, while touches of fresh herbs, fennel, honey and acacia enrich the whole. A saline minerality blends harmoniously with gentle spices such as white pepper and ginger.

Palate
At once powerful and restrained, the palate opens with a generous texture where white fruit, citrus and spice intertwine. The texture, both unctuous and creamy, is perfectly balanced by a lively, dynamic acidity that brings great freshness. The finish, of remarkable length, lingers on peppery notes and a very pronounced minerality, enhanced by a delicate touch of candied pineapple.

Food and wine pairing
This cuvée pairs wonderfully with Asian cuisine, particularly Thai or Vietnamese dishes flavoured with ginger. It also pairs beautifully with traditional dishes such as Wiener schnitzel, white meats in creamy sauces, or seafood such as pan-seared scallops. Finally, it enhances vegetarian dishes based on asparagus as well as soft-ripened cheeses.

Service and storage
Blessed with exceptional ageing potential, the "Grüner Veltliner Ried Loibenberg Smaragd" 2023 can be fully enjoyed between approximately 2028 and 2053.

The authentic expression of a great white wine from the Wachau

The estate
The history of Weingut Emmerich Knoll began in the 1820s, when the family settled in Lower Austria. It was in the 1950s that the estate began bottling its own wines, and since 1962 it has featured its famous baroque label depicting Saint Urban. Now run by Emmerich Knoll III and his wife Monika, the estate is a true institution. Deeply committed to preserving its terroir and its traditions, the family produces wines of great elegance, favouring the authentic expression of nature.

The vineyard
Located in the renowned Wachau region, the Loibenberg vineyard spans 35 hectares of steep, south-facing terraces, reaching an altitude of 400 metres. Nicknamed the region's "furnace" due to its warm microclimate, this historic terroir rests on complex soils composed of Gföhl gneiss and loess deposits. The vines are cultivated using environmentally friendly methods, with exclusively hand-harvesting to preserve biodiversity.

The vintage
2023 was marked by a relatively cool growing season. These particular climatic conditions helped preserve fine acidity and great freshness within the berries, while ensuring optimal, balanced ripening on the warmest, best-exposed terroirs.

Winemaking and ageing
Crafted with minimal intervention, the "Grüner Veltliner Ried Loibenberg Smaragd" 2023 is made from hand-harvested grapes. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks at controlled temperatures, using both indigenous and cultivated yeasts. Malolactic fermentation is deliberately blocked to preserve all the vibrancy of the fruit. The wine is then aged on its lees in stainless steel tanks for around three to four months, allowing its natural complexity to develop.

Grape variety
100% Grüner Veltliner