What I Learned:
Kremstal (Krems Valley), Krems, along with its associated village of Stein, and the area on the opposite side of the Danube, form a wine district known as Kremstal. This district lies on both sides of the Danube River and its tributary, the Krems River. Vineyards lie above the communities on high slopes overlooking the communities and the river. Loess soils predominate in this region.
Noted Ried (named vineyards) in Stein are: Steiner Pfaffenberg and Hund; with other esteemed vineyards being: Altenburg, Grillenparz, Pitschental, Danzern, Geroldberg and Schreck. In Krems, the Wachtberg and Koegl are both well-known Ried.
Wine-making in the Krems region dates back about 2000 years. As Christianity moved east, monastic organizations revitalized the tradition. The oldest vintner association in Europe, the Hauerinnung Krems-Stein, has been here since 1442. In 1938 it founded Winzer Krems, a name that endures today. Its cooperative winery, Sandgrube 13, is located at the same address in Krems, and worth a visit.
Like the neighboring Wachau wine region, the Gruener Veltliner is the single-most cultivated grape, accounting for half the annual production. While grown elsewhere, this grape, and the white wine it produces, is Austria’s claim to fame in the wine world. Riesling is the second most cultivated grape. Other white varietals include, Rivaner known elsewhere as Mueller-Thurgau), Muskatteller, Neuburger, and Pinot Blanc and Gris. Red varietals include the Sankt Laurent and Zweigelt.
What I tasted:
2016 Rivaner, Winzerbraut, Qualitaetswein, Halbtrocken, Winzer Krems (Niederoesterreich): An off-dry white wine with medium minus gold color; a nose of green apple and ripe white peach, toasted nuts, peach and slight spice flavors; medium acidity, nicely balanced overall
2015 Gruener Veltliner, Frauengrund, Kremstal DAC, Josef Dockner: A dry white wine with light gold color; a floral and spicy nose, both sweet and sharp; floral, honey, tangy spice, vanilla and grilled peach flavors; mild acidity.
2015 Blauer Zweigelt, Loessterrassen, Qualitaetswein, Trocken, Niederoesterreich, Winzer Krems: A dry red wine with medium garnet red color; slight mineral nose with oak and dried red cherry flavors. Medium tannins.
2014 Riesling, Ried Grillenparz, Erste Lage, Kremstal DAC Reserve, Weingut Stadt Krems: A dry white wine with light gold color; a sweet grape nose, and tropical fruits, turpentine, and spicy, mustard-like flavors, with a hint of minerality; medium acidity with a smooth finish.
2014 Gruener Veltliner, Senftenberger Gaertling, DAC, Weingut Nigl, Kremstal, Niederoesterreich: A dry white wine with pale gold color; floral nose with floral and white stone fruit and vanilla flavors; very mild acidity.
2013 Gruener Veltliner, Weinzierl, Qualitaetswein, Winzer Krems: A dry white wine with medium gold color; melon and floral notes, with a mild acidity.
2013 Gruener Veltliner Steinberg, DAC, Weingut Hutter: a dry white wine with a dark gold color; floral and fruity notes with a hint of grapefruit, very mild acidity.
2013 Riesling, Stein Terrassen, Weingut Hutter: A dry white wine with light gold color; floral notes with a slight hint of grapefruit; medium acidity.
2012 Kremser Gruener Veltliner, DAC Reserve, Weingut Hutter: A dry white wine with a medium gold color; fruity and minerally nose and flavors; medium acidity.