Weingut Knoll
Ried Loibenberg Loibner Smaragd Grüner Veltliner
Loiben, Wachau, Niederösterreich, Austria
This Emmerich Knoll Smaragd Grüner Veltliner is a stunner!
It comes from the Wachau region of Lower Austria where the best vineyards are planted on steep terraced slopes overlooking the Danube River. A unique feature of this region is its classification of dry white wines according to ripeness, translating to an associated style and quality.
The “Smaragd” designation is at the top of the ripeness pyramid, awarded to those wines with the most body and concentration of fruit character, having at least 12.5% ABV.
This means the fruit used to produce Smaragd wines likely came from the best vineyard sites to ensure sufficient ripeness to achieve these qualities, as is the case with this wine hailing from the prized growing environment of Loibenberg.
In a blind tasting setting, what would I look for to try to identify this wine?
For Grüner, I’d look for asparagus or other delicate vegetal/herbal notes, next to a peppery spice, citrus and green fruits, made in an unoaked (or neutral oak) style, with medium (+) to high acidity.
To further qualify it as a Smaragd, I’d look for indicators of quality with greater viscosity and a fuller mouthfeel, perhaps some riper, tropical and/or stone fruit dimensions, with greater intensity and complexity on the nose and palate overall. I’d look for a fine balance and medium(+) to long finish.
And this particular wine is hitting all of the marks!! It’s absolutely delicious. The kind of white you could decant.
Cheers to delicious, complex wines that would complement any occasion!
Weingut Emmerich Knoll “Loibenberg” Grüner Veltliner Smaragd (2017). 13.5% ABV.
This Emmerich Knoll Smaragd Grüner Veltliner is a stunner!
It comes from the Wachau region of Lower Austria where the best vineyards are planted on steep terraced slopes overlooking the Danube River. A unique feature of this region is its classification of dry white wines according to ripeness, translating to an associated style and quality.
The “Smaragd” designation is at the top of the ripeness pyramid, awarded to those wines with the most body and concentration of fruit character, having at least 12.5% ABV.
This means the fruit used to produce Smaragd wines likely came from the best vineyard sites to ensure sufficient ripeness to achieve these qualities, as is the case with this wine hailing from the prized growing environment of Loibenberg.
In a blind tasting setting, what would I look for to try to identify this wine?
For Grüner, I’d look for asparagus or other delicate vegetal/herbal notes, next to a peppery spice, citrus and green fruits, made in an unoaked (or neutral oak) style, with medium (+) to high acidity.
To further qualify it as a Smaragd, I’d look for indicators of quality with greater viscosity and a fuller mouthfeel, perhaps some riper, tropical and/or stone fruit dimensions, with greater intensity and complexity on the nose and palate overall. I’d look for a fine balance and medium(+) to long finish.
And this particular wine is hitting all of the marks!! It’s absolutely delicious. The kind of white you could decant.
Cheers to delicious, complex wines that would complement any occasion!
Weingut Emmerich Knoll “Loibenberg” Grüner Veltliner Smaragd (2017). 13.5% ABV.
