What I Learned:

Carnuntum’s wine district, with its center around Hoeflein and Goettlesbrunn, is one of eight districts in the Niederoesterreich (Lower Austria) Wine Region, most of which lie along, or at least relatively close to the Danube. It is a district with a proud vine cultivation history pre-dating even the Romans, extending as far back in time as the Celts.

Carnuntum has three principle growing areas, the Leithagebirge, the Hainburger Berge and the Arbesthaler Huegelland. Soils throughout are mostly sandy and loamy. Small differences in the soil though make for different challenges and ultimately different wines. The area’s named vineyards, or Riede, are well-known by local vintners.

Red varietals are the most cultivated and most famed. The eastern Spitzerberg vineyards (south of Hainburg/around Goettlesbrunn) are especially known for great Blaufraenkisch wines. Known in Germany as Lemberger, it is cultivated fairly widely in grape-growing regions of Central Europe. Zweigelt wines are another well-known specialty of the district, and are usually identified with the name “Rubin Carnuntum”. The Blauer Burgunder (Pinot Noir) and Portugieser are two other red varietals cultivated here, as well as St Laurent.

White varietals include Gruener Veltliner, the most popular traditionally, followed by Gelber Muskateller. Finally, Pinot Blanc and Chardonnay are also cultivated in this district.

 

What I Tasted:

2015 Gelber Muskateller, Weingut Taferner (Goettlesbrunn): A semi-dry white wine with pale gold color; a sweet nose of grape, with mineral and grape flavors; very mild acidity with a prickling sensation on the tongue.

2014 Gruener Veltliner, Qualitaetswein, Weingut Markowitsch (Goettlesbrunn): A dry white wine with medium gold color; a vanilla and toasted nut nose, with apple, vanilla and nut flavors; mild acidity and nice smoothness.

2014 Sauvignon Blanc, Oppelmayer (Goettlesbrunn): A dry white wine with pale gold color; a fruity nose, with grape flavors; enervating, and pleasantly tart, this white wine has very mild acidity.

2014 Pinot Noir, Qualitaetswein, Markowitsch (Goettlesbrunn): A dry red wine with medium red brick color; and oak and vanilla nose, with oak, cherry and red berries flavors; mild tannins, very smooth.

2014 Zweigelt, Rubin Carnuntum, Markowitsch (Goettlesbrunn): A dry red wine with dark purple-red color; oak nose, and smoke and cherry flavors; medium tannins.

2013 Zweigelt, Rubin Carnuntum, Edelmann (Goettlesbrunn): A dry red wine with dark red-purple color; herbaceous nose, and oak and cherry flavors; medium tannins.

2012 Zweigelt Classic, Blauenstein, Qualitaetswein, Weingut Grassl (Goettlesbrunn): A dry red wine with dark garnet color; a red berry nose, with red berries and slight smoke flavors; very dry, but light mouthfeel with surprisingly very mild tannins.