ABOUT: The Nigl family has been farming in the fairytale-esque Krems Valley in Austria for 200 years. Just look up and there's the ruins of a castle from the 12th century. Martin Nigl began bottling the family wine in 1985 and Martin Jr. has joined his father in continuing the new tradition. Riesling and Gruner Veltliner are the most populous varieties, but they also have a few vines of Weissburgunder, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Gelber Muskateller. This is the first Nigl wine we've added to the store and was probably the very first Austrian Riesling I ever had, thanks to importer Terry Theise’s impact on the wines shelves of Seattle. A truly crystalline interpretation of Riesling. Outstanding. The Nigl's practice sustainable viticulture, eschewing herbicides and pesticides, even avoiding copper. They have a beautiful looking hotel and restaurant and they just went to the top of our winery visit wish-list. TASTE:Honey, carnations, pears and salt all proudly step up front and center. Dry with crystalline acidity and a purity of flavors that I’ve come to expect from top notch Austrian Riesling. It tastes like it was made by meticulous hands, like it was babied in the winery, worried over. More tasting brings oranges and green apples, more salinity and a long finish. High complexity and will age gracefully for 20 years. PAIR: Enchiladas, chile rellenos, posole, migas, chilaquiles, spatzle, griessnockerl, spinat knodel, savory crepes of all varieties.
