Gruner Veltliner Axpoint Federspiel 2022 (FJ Gritsch)

Cellar for up to 10 years. Decanting is optional, up to an hour before serving. From their 13th-century home in the bosom of Wachau Valley, the folks at FJ Gritsch create a wide variety of potent white wines, packed with incredible poise and elegance. The winery is currently led by seventh-generation wine-maker Franz-Josef Gritsch, who pays his dues to tradition while also understanding that great wine must move with the times. The ancient building that serves as the FJ Gritsch headquarters is located in the town of Spitz, which sprawls along the banks of the Danube. Just 216 metres further inland, you can discover Axpoint Vineyard, the home of this Gruner Veltliner. Axpoint sits in a recess on the outskirts of Spitz. Its soils are largely composed of loess - a combination of silt, soil and a multitude of minerals. The location’s influence is evident from the moment you open the cap. Saline, mineral aromas fill the air, mingling with notes of pear, green apple and subtle bursts of exotic fruit. It appears light yellow in the glass, with hints of silver. The exotic hints expand on the palate, into fully blown notes of mango, pineapple and papaya, underpinned żeby a linear acidity and drops of honey. This is an excellent wine for pairing with food, in particular Asian or Austrian cuisine with pork or duck.