Region · Wachau, Austria
Wachau
VAH-kow
Terraces on the Danube
Austria's most dramatic Riesling and Grüner valley, classified by ripeness as Steinfeder, Federspiel, and Smaragd.
- white pepper
- apricot
- slate
- citrus
- smoke
Smaragd (the lizard) is the ripe, dry, cellar-worthy style. Federspiel is the middle, the restaurant pour. Steinfeder is light and rare. Primary rock, loess, and aspect decide whether you taste apricot or radish.
Kamptal and Kremstal next door are equally serious and often better value. The Wachau is the postcard.
Schnitzel, trout, and white asparagus.
At the table
Service
46–52 °F (8–11 °C); Smaragd a touch warmer.
