WHAT Riesling??

Time flies when you are busy and so we have been over the last few months. Weather’s still not very friendly and has slowed down vegetation in the vineyards. Just in time before the vineyards start to demand 100% of our attention, we have been busy in the cellar and the bottling line with the first release of our Fritz & Frieda Welschriesling. Yes, WELSCHriesling it is- and we can assure you it has not much to do with the Riesling you might know. Here in Weinviertel we have a bit of a love-hate relationship with the variety. Welschriesling (Welsch we call it) is not as popular and widely known as Grüner Veltliner even though we have grown it for at least as long as the GV.

It is difficult to make good Welschriesling and you have to have a plan to make it work. It takes meticulous care and planning from pruning to vinification. You have to keep a close eye on yields right from the beginning and at harvest time, you have to keep a superclose eye on Botrytis. Welschriesling can basically be gone over night - without exaggeration. When I came to Poysdorf I had no idea about the severity of the phrase “the Welsch is catching Botrytis” that at one point during every single harvest here spreads like a wildfire and leaves everybody in panic. I love Welsch because it challenges us and it is one of the main reasons I check on the vineards every single day during harvest.

The variety’s origin is not completely clear. It might stem form Nothern Italy or it might have been first planted in Champagne - nobody really knows. Nevertheless, Welschriesling makes some of the world’s best sparkling wines and some of the best dessert wines on earth. What a range - we agree!! What is not as well known is that Welschriesling also makes some really excellent dry white wines if- and only if- you know how to handle it.

If you do all the right things, a Welschriesling will have the elegance and balance of a Grüner Veltliner plus a charming purity and fine fruit aromas that make this variety so lively and charming.

For everybody who has already made friends with Grüner Veltliner, Welschriesling will be very easy to like. For now, Welschriesling is only an insider tip - but who knows…try it and spread the word!