In the glass
Aroma: white pepper, stone fruit, exotic mineral, citrus blossom
Palate: pear flesh, grapefruit, mineral slate, pepper spice
Grüner Veltliner Smaragd from Achleiten parcels farmed by the Bernhard family of Weissenkirchen; the classic Achleiten mineral-and-pepper profile at a more accessible price than the big estates.
What it pairs with
-
Roast veal with vegetables
Full body and pepper character suit a classic Austrian veal roast. -
White asparagus with butter
A canonical Wachau pairing; Achleiten Grüner and white asparagus. -
Grilled pikeperch
The wine's mineral depth and acidity are ideal with this key Danube fish.
How to serve Grüner Veltliner Smaragd Achleiten
Allow 35 minutes from open to pour.
- Open and decant. Open 30 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
- Serve at 10-12°C. Cellar temperature (10-12°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
- Glassware. Use a medium-sized white-wine glass; the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
- Pair with. Roast veal with vegetables, White asparagus with butter, Grilled pikeperch. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.
History
The Bernhard family owns parcels in the celebrated Achleiten Ried above Weissenkirchen. This three-generation estate bottles its Achleiten Grüner Veltliner Smaragd as the flagship wine.
- 1928 — Bernhard family begins estate bottling at Weissenkirchen
- 2001 — Achleiten Grüner Veltliner Smaragd first bottled
Facts
- Producer
- Weingut Bernhard
- Grapes
- Grüner Veltliner
- Classification
- Wachau DAC
- Oak
- Stainless steel; no oak
- ABV
- 13.5%
- Price
- EUR 22-35 at retail
- Drinking window
- 4-14 from vintage
- First vintage
- 2001
Frequently asked about Grüner Veltliner Smaragd Achleiten
What does Grüner Veltliner Smaragd Achleiten taste like?
On the nose, white pepper, stone fruit, exotic mineral, citrus blossom. On the palate, pear flesh, grapefruit, mineral slate, pepper spice. Structurally full-bodied, low tannins, high acidity with a long and mineral finish. Grüner Veltliner Smaragd from Achleiten parcels farmed by the Bernhard family of Weissenkirchen; the classic Achleiten mineral-and-pepper profile at a more accessible price than the big estates.
When should I drink Grüner Veltliner Smaragd Achleiten?
Drink 4-14 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.
What food pairs with Grüner Veltliner Smaragd Achleiten?
Roast veal with vegetables is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include White asparagus with butter and Grilled pikeperch. Full body and pepper character suit a classic Austrian veal roast.
What grapes are in Grüner Veltliner Smaragd Achleiten?
The blend is Grüner Veltliner. The wine is classified as Wachau DAC.