Winemaker Notes
In order to be a representative of the whole Danube appellation Kamptal, terraced vineyards and grapes from the lower part of the valley, as well as grapes from the upper and higher altitude part of valley are used. The grapes from the lower part bring the maturity, whereas grapes from the upper part of the valley brings us the freshness in this wine. The 'classical' Kamptal wine is low in alcohol (11.5 – 12.5%) and has a pleasant but not obtrusive aroma and fruit character and therefore is a perfect food companion.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Spectator
A seductive wine, perfumed and floral, with ripe orchard fruit and Asian pear flavors that reveal tropical highlights, plus hints of cardamom and roasted pineapple. Creamy and full on the palate, with lime-edged acidity keeping everything in check. Tasty. Drink now through 2030.
Riesling possesses a remarkable ability to reflect the character of wherever it is grown while still maintaining its identity. A regal variety of incredible purity and precision, this versatile grape can be just as enjoyable dry or sweet, young or old, still or sparkling and can age longer than nearly any other white variety. Somm Secret—Given how difficult it is to discern the level of sweetness in a Riesling from the label, here are some clues to find the dry ones. First, look for the world “trocken.” (“Halbtrocken” or “feinherb” mean off-dry.) Also a higher abv usually indicates a drier Riesling.
Climbing north and slightly east of the Kremstal region, Kamptal has very little vineyard area bordering the Danube River (unlike Wachau and Kremstal, whose vineyards run along it). The region takes its name from the river called Kamp, which traverses it north and south. Kamptal’s densely planted vineyards represent eight percent of Austria’s total.
The area experiences wide diurnal temperature variations like the Wachau but with less rain and more frost. Its vast geologic diversity makes it suitable for various experimentations with other varieties besides Grüner Veltliner and Riesling, such as Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc (Weissburgunder), Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, St. Laurent and Zweigelt.
But the region is probably most noted for the beautiful and expansive terraced Heiligenstein, arguably one of the world’s top Riesling sites, as well as some of Austria’s most extraordinary Grüner Veltliner vineyards. Kamptal’s soils, which are mostly loess and sand with some gravel and rocks, make it suitable for Grüner Veltliner, so much so that actually half of the zone is planted to that grape.