The delicious, delicately mineral Weisser Schiefer is 100% Welschriesling drawn from one hectare of vines on the Dolomite-chalk, slate and quartz hillsides of the Südburgenland. Spanning the villages of Eisenberg and Kohfidisch, the old vines here—up to 60 years old with an average of 40 years—bask on southeast and southwest-facing slopes. All the fruit was harvested by hand and spontaneously fermented in large, 1200-litre wooden barrels without temperature control. At least one parcel is fermented as whole bunches before being pressed off. Aged in large Austrian and Slovenian tronconique casks for 8 months, on lees, it is bottled, like all Schiefer’s wines, unfined and unfiltered.
In spite of its dainty 11%, this has surprising texture and chew to complement the lime splice freshness, earthy-savoury complexity and mouthwatering freshness. Wonderful class and refreshment on offer here.