Grooner
Austria » Niederösterreich » Grooner- Country: Austria
- Region: Niederösterreich
Weingut Forstreiter’s 28 hectare/69 acre vineyard is situated in Krems-Hollenburg in the Kremstal, Niederösterreich, Austria, along the banks of the Danube River, across from the Wachau. There has been wine production in this area since the Roman Empire. Most of the Forstreiter wine grows close to the Danube on south or east facing terraces on “konglomerate”, with different layers of loess, clay and sandy soil. This “Hollenburger Konglomerat” was formed during the Ice Age from compressed gravel from the banks of the Danube. The unique soil formations and microclimate of this area produce exceptional fruity, spicy and peppery wines with lots of minerals
The Forstreiter family has been making wine here since 1868, but it is the current owner and winemaker, Meinhard Forstreiter, who has brought the winery to a new level of quality and reputation, utilizing the most advanced modern technology, yet using sound, sustainable methods.
Specializing in Grüner Veltliners, his top single-vineyard Tabor Kremstal DAC Reserve (oldest vines of Austria, over 150 years old/limited to 200-250 cases ) received 94 points from the Wine Spectator, and his single-vineyard Schiefer Kremstal DAC Reserve (the oldest vineyard in Krems-Hollenburg, dating back to 1364) was chosen by the Wine Spectator as one of their “Top 100” and given 93 points. He also makes fine Rieslings and the indigenous red varietals Zweigelt and St Laurent.
In 2007 Monika Caha & Toni Silver of Monika Caha Selections, Inc. partnered with Forstreiter to create the brand GROONER, an easy drinking, refreshing Grüner Veltliner with the same quality and characteristics of his Forstreiter wines, but with an eye-catching label/packaging created by Silver/Caha, and phonetic spelling for those hard to pronounce Austrian varietals. The GROONER partners have now created a red wine: ZVY-GELT, made from 100% Zweigelt. Both wines have performance artist Toni Silver on the label, as the “Grooner” and “Zvy-gelt” Girl. These wines are fun, but they are are artisanal fine wines, like all Forstreiter wines: “Qualitätswein”(appellation controlled)/Appellation: Niederösterreich.
Along with other selections from this great Austrian portfolio, the 2009 Grooner was recently rated as one of Austria's "Best Values" by Wine Spectator Magazine calling it "Juicy, and fruity, with pear and pepper flavors modulated by plenty of creamy notes. Broad and rich on the finish." ...click here for the full story
