Pinot Noir

A DNA examination of Grüner Veltliner has revealed that the grape variety's parents are Traminer and the almost forgotten old variety St. Georgen, of which, by the way, only one vine, over 400 years old, still exists. In Austria, Grüner Veltliner occupies almost a third of the total vineyard area and is particularly widespread in Lower Austria and northern Burgenland.

Veltliner is very similar to Riesling and also impresses with fresh fruit aromas such as apple, peach and citrus. Under conventional management, the grape variety delivers high yields, the vintner sees it with pleasure and thus produces wines for the Heuriger. With strictly reduced yields in first-class sites, however, the grape variety yields complex, highly ripe Prädikat wines with remarkable ageing potential and thus perfectly complements the qualities of a Riesling.

Pinot Noir is a sensitive grape variety and requires special conditions for growth. It prefers cool climates and is sensitive to heat and drought. It thrives particularly well on light and well-drained soils that are rich in lime and clay. In France, it grows best in the moist and cool regions of Burgundy, on calcareous and loamy soils. In California and Oregon, it is particularly successful in the cooler regions such as Carneros and Willamette Valley. In New Zealand, it does best in cool-climate regions such as Martinborough and Central Otago.