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2017 Kracher Burgenland Pinot Gris Trocken
91 JS
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Critic Reviews
At once silky and fresh, this is a substantial yet polished dry pinot gris with a ripe melon aroma. Very food-friendly. Drink not. Screw cap.
James Suckling | 91 JS
A subdued pear juiciness mingles with subtle wood smoke on the nose. The palate is juicier and fruitier than those aromas suggest, but it also has a lovely tiptoe lightness and lemony brightness. This is subtle, light and elegant with a wonderfully juicy finish.
Wine Enthusiast | 91 WE
The 2017 Pinot Gris Trocken is soft, creamy and so expressive. Apricot, tangerine oil, mint and light tropical inflections all run through an open-knit, racy white that can be opened without fanfare. The 2017 will drink well alone, but it also has the texture to pair beautifully with a wide range of foods at the table, making it extremely versatile.
Vinous Media | 90 VM
James Suckling | 91 JS
A subdued pear juiciness mingles with subtle wood smoke on the nose. The palate is juicier and fruitier than those aromas suggest, but it also has a lovely tiptoe lightness and lemony brightness. This is subtle, light and elegant with a wonderfully juicy finish.
Wine Enthusiast | 91 WE
The 2017 Pinot Gris Trocken is soft, creamy and so expressive. Apricot, tangerine oil, mint and light tropical inflections all run through an open-knit, racy white that can be opened without fanfare. The 2017 will drink well alone, but it also has the texture to pair beautifully with a wide range of foods at the table, making it extremely versatile.
Vinous Media | 90 VM
Wine Details for 2017 Kracher Burgenland Pinot Gris Trocken
| Type of Wine |
Austria White
: Few regions offer as much quality and diversity among their whites as Austria. Infused with the essence of varietals such as Gruner Veltliner, Welshriesling, and Pinot Gris (among others), these wines range from very dry to exceptionally sweet and often come with extraordinary aging potential. Give in to their charms, and come out changed forever. |
|---|---|
| Varietal |
Pinot Gris
: One of the most fascinating aspects of wine grapes is their ability to grow in different regions, countries and continents and be distinctly recognizable by the terroir in which they reside. Not all grape varieties have this luxury, but the Pinot Gris grape is somewhat of an anomaly; from its coloration to its adaptability, to its origin and its terroir reflective qualities. The varietal, which originated in Burgundy, France is now grown all over the world, having had successful resulting wines, many of which have their own unique style and flavor. The Pinot Gris grape varietal hails from the noble Pinot family, being a mutation of the legendary Pinot Noir grape. The grape, itself, is peculiar as it ranges in color from gray-tinged pink to blue (“gris” meaning “gray” in French). Unlike most white grapes, such as Pinot Blanc and Riesling, Pinot Gris actually looks more like a red wine grape. Pinot Gris is early ripening and thrives in cool climates such as Alsace in France, Baden in Germany (where it is commonly-known as Grauburgunder) and Alto Adige and Veneto in northeastern Italy (where it is called Pinot Grigio). Its ability to reflect terroir is astounding and no doubt a trait it shares with Pinot Noir (though Pinot Noir is a more fussy grape and less able to adapt to warmer climes). It is highly adaptable to a range of terroirs, including the volcanic hillside soils of Alsace, to the diverse soils of Baden, Germany such as loem, loess, granite, clay, limestone and sand. Pinot Gris also feels right at home in Alto Adige, where the ancient sea bed provides an array of soil types such as clay, chalk deposits and over 150 different rock types which also helps to shape the hilly terrain and mineral rich terroir. Pinot Gris can be vinified in several different styles, each with its own flavor profile. Compared to other French whites, Pinot Gris tends to be less aromatic than Sauvignon Blanc and drier than Chardonnay. The typical Pinot Gris is full-bodied with a fresh, spicy flavor and notes of tropical fruit, stone fruit, or citrus; with riper grapes being less acidic. Although the majority of Pinot Gris produced in France is fashioned in this style, a small amount of prized Alsace Pinot Gris is produced in a sweet dessert styled wine, labeled under the title, Vendage Tardive or VT (meaning late harvest). These prized grapes are the result of Botrytis or Noble Rot, which is a beneficial fungus which attacks the grape, shriveling it to a raisin-like state, locking in heavenly high sugars and flavors. These wines are more age worthy and highly sought after. Italian Pinot Gris (Grigio) wines are light-bodied and crisp, with a flavor profile of pear, green apple and stone fruit, with floral aromas such as honeysuckle. The Italian vinification process begins with an early harvest in an attempt to retain the grape’s naturally high and fresh acidity. Fermentation in stainless steel tanks also helps to retain the grape’s “zing.” If barrels were used for fermentation, it would add palate weight and sweet vanilla aromas. The “everyday” Italian Pinot Gris (Grigio) is fashioned in the former which results in a clean, fresh and simple style at a lower monetary value. This is one of the more popular styles and is voraciously purchased on the US market. The German name for Pinot Gris is Grauburgunder (which translates to “Grey Burgundian”). It is widely cultivated in the regions of Baden, Rheinhesseh and Pfalz, where the styling is more mineral-driven (compliments of the regions’ mineral rich terroir) and has a higher level of acidity. Floral aromas and citrusy flavors come through beautifully; the wines are often tinged with exotic spice notes. Of course, not only is Pinot Gris highly influenced by terroir, but also winemaker which is evident in the Baden locale, where producers focus on richer, fuller-bodied, often sweeter and more fragrant wines. The versatility of the Pinot Gris grape is incredibly impressive. Its reflective nature has allowed the variety to prosper around the world; whether it is the crisp and clean everyday drinking Pinot Grigio from Italy, Grauburgunder cultivated from the rocky terroir of Germany or the lusciously sweet dessert Pinot Gris from the mountainous region of Alsace. Pinot Gris has become one of the most important grape varieties for cool climate vintners and produces some of the most frequently purchased wines in the world. |
| Country |
Austria
: The landlocked country of Austria, in the heart of Europe, is a land of breathtaking beauty; from its rolling hills, steep slopes and valleys to its many terraces and specific regional sites which possess features that belong to the visible charm of the country’s landscape. Hidden beneath the precious soils and rocks of this wondrous landscape, which may not be visible, but of great importance to winemaking is the life-blood of the land because it significantly influences the choice of grape variety and vineyard management. This geological and vinification symbiosis has become an incredible proficiency that Austrian winemakers have honed over a long period, creating wines that truly define the terroir. Of all the major winegrowing regions in Austria, Wachau, Kremstal and Kamptal have certainly proved to be the finest locations for cultivating high quality grapes. These regions reside on the eastern part of the country, where the terroir and climate are perfectly attuned to the varietals cultivated. Lower elevations consist largely of rich, deep soils composed mostly of loess, giving way to heavy, fruit-forward wines. The many hilly and terraced vineyards are composed of free-draining gravel, which allows for the production of age-worthy wines. Due to the country’s location and the presence of the Alps, there is very little Mediterranean influence, thus creating a strongly continental climate. Warming easterly breezes and high sunshine hours provide plenty of ripening opportunities for the grapes. Ripening happens slowly and evenly here, creating a balance between sugar and acidity in the grapes and, in turn, making balanced wines. However, the climate is still tempered by the presence of the Danube and the Neusidelersee Lake to the south, creating a myriad of micro-climates and further developing complex growing conditions. Austria is renowned for its world-class production of Gruner Veltliner, its most important and most widely planted grape variety. It accounts for 32.5 percent of all vineyard space. In the past, the country was known for its sweet and botrytized version of the varietal, but producers have turned to making a more consumer-friendly, crisp, aromatic style. This modern approach has allowed its star varietal to be mentioned alongside some the finest whites on today’s market. Riesling ranks second among all white grapes grown. The finest examples of these two varietals hail from its three main growing regions (Wachau, Kremstal and Kamptal). White varieties truly dominate the country’s production; of the 44,913 hectares under vine, 30,300 are cultivated to white grape varieties, which include Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Welschriesling and Pinot Blanc (known here by its German name Weissburgunder). Red wine production may be overshadowed, but to be overlooked. Red grape varieties, such as Blaufrankisch, Saint-Laurent, Pinot Noir (Blauburgunder) and its most prized red varietal, Zweigelt, flourish in the large Austrian region of Burgenland, producing wines of incredible intrigue. Zweigelt is the second most widely planted varietal in Austria, accounting for 13.9 percent of all vineyard space and produces richly colored wines with a deep, bright core of spiced cherry and raspberry flavors. The Austrian wine industry has been molded not only by its prized terroir, but also by the talent and determination of its vintners. Producers such as Heidi Shrock and Weingut Prager have risen to world-class status and are commanding global recognition. Producers may be turning to modernized ways of appeasing ever-changing palates, but is also balancing it with traditional methods, retaining such classics as the sweet Ausbruch and Strohwein. Stricter wine laws and regulations have greatly improved the quality of winemaking and in the process, has garnered world-wide attention. Austrian producers are preserving an age old tradition that began over 2000 years ago, yet reforming it into one of the leading wine producing countries in the world. |
| Region |
Austria
: Austrian winemaking has had ups and downs in its reputation. This inconsistency created a cloud of doubt that fortunately caused a full-on winemaking renaissance in this country. Today, Austria is a symbol of combining old with the new, its innovative approach to viticulture taking full advantage of the experience and knowledge collected over the years. As a result, this beautiful mountainous region now boasts some of the most pristine and elegant white wines in the world. Its signature grape, Gruner Veltliner, can instantly be recognized by its citrusy undercurrents and sweet, charmingly fresh flavor profile. Austria brings plenty of fresh air into the world of traditional viticulture with this flagship wine that's closely followed by Riesling, especially from regions of Wachau, Kremstal and Kamptal. Don't be surprised if you come across a wonderful Chardonnay, Welschriesling, Pinot Blanc or perhaps even a Sauvignon Blanc and learn it's from Austria; the country has done exemplary work around white wines and is finally receiving some overdue recognition for it. For red wine lovers, this region showcases a lovely selection that includes Blaufrankisch, Saint-Laurent, Zweigelt and Pinot Noir. These ripe, straightforward and spiced beauties can be cellared for decades, so you can drink them now or store for the next generations. |
Overview
| Producer | Kracher |
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