Under $20

Organic / Biodynamic / Natural

A biodynamically farmed bubbly Rose of Pinot Noir from Austria (how cool is that!?). This dry wine is naturally made, no CO2 added, in tank then bottled. Fresh cherries and strawberries galore with very balanced acidity results in a refreshing springtime quaffer.

Organic

100% Gruner Veltliner, grown in loess soils. Just over half of the grapes for this wine come from Silke's family's vineyards; the rest are sourced from neighboring growers in Krems and Dross. This is bottled and made in the shared Buchegger-Mayr winery. Full-bunch pressing; fermented in stainless steel at cool temperatures, aged on the lees in tank until February of the following year.

This is a straightforward, spicy Gruner; light in body and fruit-driven, this is a stellar white "table wine", able to pair well with just about anything white wine goes with.

Organic

Organic

Whereas much of Austria’s Grüner Veltliner is planted in soils of loess, Stadlmann’s grows in the limestone that characterizes their sector of the Thermenregion, resulting in an elegantly chalky, salty wine less opulent than many versions grown elsewhere. Fermented spontaneously in large neutral-oak casks, it is bottled in May the year after harvest without fining and with only a gentle filtration, rarely topping 12.5% alcohol. (Rosenthal Wine Merchant Import)

Organic

Stadlmann produces a singular riesling that takes advantage of the calcareous soils and temperate climate of the Thermenregion, rendering a classic, flinty expression of the varietal, leading with crisp, ripe green apple and notes of alpine flowers. Fermentation lasts 12 days in stainless steel tanks, with lees ageing for two months. As with all of the wines here, it is produced organically and biodynamically. 12.5% abv (Rosenthal Wine Merchant Import)

Organic

The delightful one liter bottle has only 12% abv. There is no malolactic fermentation. This is a crisp, refreshing Gruner Veltliner with notes of herbs, minerals, citrus, stone fruits, and excellent acidity.

Organic / Biodynamic

Light, limber and earthy, this inviting red from the Burgenland region of Austria on the Hungarian border is 50 percent zweigelt, 40 percent blaufränkisch and 10 percent merlot. It’s bright and lightly fruity with just a touch of chocolate, another easy drinker that does the job of refreshing without taxing the mind or spirit. It’s a great deal.

There is a simple and honest feeling in the wine and spirit of Gerhard Pittnauer which hails from his generosity and humility. Given the reins of his vineyard in the mid-1980’s after the unexpected death of his father, Gerhard, then 18 years old, had to train himself to make wine in the midst of scandal and chaos in the Austrian wine market. He chose to become a student of the broader wine world, and, in realizing the exceptionality of the land he farmed and of the indigenous grapes of the region, allowed himself to experiment with some missteps until he found his thesis. He set forth to ‘grow’ wine rather than to ‘make’ it in the cellar, from the autochtone varietals. He did so without any viticultural doctrine until he found that there was a consistent, common thread in the wines he loved to drink from France and elsewhere. If, he thought, these wines were amazing because of biodynamics, then he must do the same to achieve the pinnacle in his own wine. So he tends 15 hectares, half of which he owns and half of which he rents, alongside his wife Brigitte to create what they call living wines. All work is done manually from composting to pruning. There is no calendar that drives them. Nothing is rushed: they believe in quality over speed. They taste for perfect ripeness, select the cleanest grapes, and begin the wine in the cellar in response to the conditions of the vintage. They do incorporate a bit of modern technology: a pneumatic press, temperature-controlled steel tanks and pumps, all to ensure the purity and freshness of the fruit remains. They are making wines that excite them with the unique voice of the varietal and the deep limestone soils of the terroir speaking clearly. Gerhard and Brigitte are aware of the evolution of their tastes as well as the vineyard’s. They are students presenting the current findings. Not with proud declaration, but with excited experimental energy to get the best of what they have. So far, it is delicious research.

90pts-Wine Enthusiast:
"Glimpses of golden ripe mirabelle plum and the slightest hint of lovage create a lovely nose and continue to feature on the creamy, finely foaming palate. The body is wonderfully light, framed by foamy autolysis and pervaded by citrus peel freshness. A totally individual but refreshing Austrian fizz."

Organic / Natural / Orange Wine

Spektakel - what? Yes, spectacular, right! Grüner Veltliner macerated on the skins for 15 days. Veltliner a little different than usual. It reminds me of a wide variety of aromas: wet stone, dried apricot, various herbs and green apples. Shake it, cool it & drink it! 15 days skin contact. 12.5% abv

Zweigelt, St. Laurent, and Pinot Noir. A delicate expression of Austrian Rose with tons of minerality, zippy acidity, and a slight effervescence. 12% abv.

Organic / Natural

This Zweigelt is simply fun every day of the week. It has these seductive and invigorating cherry aromatics, along with warm spices and a light toasted note but the wine is juice while being elegant and refreshing. Chillable!