Domane Wachau winery
The Freie Weing rtner Wachau is a co-operative association of growers and is the largest producer in the prestigious Wachau region of Austria. Altogether 778 members hold the 849 shares, cultivating a total of 600 ha of vineyards (the Wachau only has 1400 ha under vine in total). They are each contracted in for five-year terms, and despite its size, this is clearly not your run-of-the-mill cooperative. A quick primer to the rather complicated wine names: first the grape variety (Riesling or Gr ner Veltliner here), then the quality level (Federspiel is good quality but Smaragd is better), then the village or regional designation r for the and finally, if appropriate the vineyard. Some notable wines they produce Gr ner Veltliner Federspiel Terrassen Thal Wachau 2000. Light, clean, and fresh on the palate. Not much happening here; it s rather simple and light. Gr ner Veltliner Smaragd Terrassen Thal Wachau 2000. Nice balance here, but it's a little light. Nice herby nose with some peppery fruit on the medium-bodied palate. Not particularly complex. Gr ner Veltliner Smaragd Terrassen Thal Wachau 1997. Getting more interesting. Clean, mineralic, slightly peppery nose. Concentrated on the palate with clean mineralic flavours and good acidity.