Schlosskellerei Gobelsburg, Kamptal DAC (Austria) Grüner Veltliner 2023 ($28, Skurnik Wines)

Named for the Kamp River, Kamptal is located in North-Eastern Austria. The Districtus Austriae Controllatus, or DAC, is white wine oriented DAC requiring the use of either Grüner Veltliner or Riesling grapes. DACs are Austria’s answer to appellations, modeled around French AOCs (Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée). Schlosskellerei Golbelsburg’s Kamptal Grüner Veltliner is bright and refreshing with excellent pear and red apple notes driving the wine and a subtle white floral undertone. I also find the wine’s modest 12.5% alcohol refreshing in how the wine presents itself, giving it a lighter structure which complements its flavor profile. This is an ideal picnic wine but, if you’re snowed in, Grüner can easily become a lighter appetizer wine before a large meal.
90 Vince Simmon