What it pairs with
-
Roast chicken with cream sauce
The wine's nutty richness and medium body are a classic match for creamy poultry dishes. -
Grilled sole with almonds
Almond and pear notes in the wine echo a buttered almond garnish on flatfish. -
Soft camembert
The wine's creamy texture and beeswax note pair naturally with soft-rind cheese.
How to serve Weissburgunder Smaragd
Allow 5 minutes from open to pour.
- Open and pour. Open and pour directly. No decanting required for this style.
- Serve at 8-10°C. Cellar temperature (8-10°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
- Glassware. Use a smaller all-purpose white glass; the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
- Pair with. Roast chicken with cream sauce, Grilled sole with almonds, Soft camembert. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.
History
Rudi Pichler grows a small parcel of Weissburgunder (Pinot Blanc) alongside the dominant Grüner Veltliner and Riesling. The variety has a minor but established role in the Wachau; first bottled as a Smaragd in 2002.
- 2002 — Weissburgunder Smaragd first bottled by Rudi Pichler
Facts
- Producer
- Weingut Rudi Pichler
- Grapes
- Weissburgunder
- Classification
- Wachau DAC
- Oak
- Stainless steel and large old oak barrels
- ABV
- 13.5%
- Price
- EUR 35-50 at retail
- Drinking window
- 3-10 from vintage
- First vintage
- 2002
Frequently asked about Weissburgunder Smaragd
When should I drink Weissburgunder Smaragd?
Drink 3-10 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.
What food pairs with Weissburgunder Smaragd?
Roast chicken with cream sauce is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Grilled sole with almonds and Soft camembert. The wine's nutty richness and medium body are a classic match for creamy poultry dishes.
What grapes are in Weissburgunder Smaragd?
The blend is Weissburgunder. The wine is classified as Wachau DAC.