Weingut Bernhard Ott, Wagram (Niederösterreich, Austria) Riesling 2016

Wagram is a wine region divided by the Danube River in Austria.  The Ott’s family winery is located on the northern side of the river, an area known for producing ripe, round white wines made from Grüner Veltliner, Roter Veltliner and Riesling.  Bernard Ott is in the fourth generation of the family that established the vineyards, and under his guidance the estate is certified biodynamic.  Grapes are hand-harvested and after the grapes are pressed, Ott exposes the juice to oxygen for several hours.  This process allows the volatile compounds that might oxidize the wine in the bottle to precipitate out of the juice, ensuring the ability of the wine to age in bottle.  His 2016 Riesling is a serious, bone dry white wine capable of standing up to a pork roast.  In the mouth the wine is rich and ripe, redolent of peach, citrus, notes of wet stone and quite complex from three years in the bottle.  Treat yourself.