2023 Alzinger Grüner Veltliner "Mühlpoint" Federspiel, Wachau, Austria

ABOUT THE WINE

Sourced from the Mühlpoint vineyard, located just below the steeper terraces of Loibenberg, this Grüner Veltliner benefits from deeper loess soils, which offer a broader, more supple texture than Alzinger’s steeper, rockier sites. The Federspiel designation reflects a medium-bodied style (11.5–12.5% ABV), emphasizing purity and drinkability.

The 2023 vintage in the Wachau was marked by a cool, steady growing season with plenty of sunshine, resulting in wines of excellent freshness, clarity, and poise. Alzinger’s farming is sustainable and hand-intensive, with an emphasis on low yields and careful canopy management to maintain vibrancy in the fruit. Grapes are hand-harvested, whole-cluster pressed, and fermented in stainless steel to preserve brightness and varietal character.

“Mühlpoint” is always one of Alzinger’s most charming wines: softer than Steinertal, more structured than Höll, with classic Grüner Veltliner notes of orchard fruit, citrus zest, and gentle white spice. It's a versatile companion to food—ideal with schnitzel, spring vegetables, seafood, or East Asian dishes with a touch of ginger or lemongrass.

ABOUT THE PRODUCER

Weingut Alzinger, based in Unterloiben in the Wachau, is one of Austria’s most revered small estates, known for crystalline, terroir-driven Rieslings and Grüner Veltliners. Founded in the 1980s by Leo Alzinger Sr., the domaine is now led by Leo Alzinger Jr., who brings a delicate, precision-focused style to every cuvée.

Farming is sustainable and precise, with an emphasis on site expression and minimal intervention. Each parcel is vinified separately, and winemaking is deliberately restrained—fermentation occurs in stainless steel, with long lees aging but no overt manipulation. Alzinger’s wines are known for their transparency, balance, and age-worthiness, with Federspiel bottlings like “Mühlpoint” offering early accessibility and vibrant expression.