1. Ecker Eckhof RoterVeltliner Steinberg/Wagram (Qualitatswein aus Osterreich; LN 1742/14; Trocken; 13.5%; http://www.Eckhof.At; TerryTheiseSlctn) Kirchberg/Wagram 2013: Light gold color; rather earthy/mineral/steely slight GV-like/peppery/pineapple quite interesting nose w/ only a little fruit; very tart/tangy/metallic quite stony/mineral very slight pineapple/mango/almost R-like slightly off-dry (0.5%?) slight spicy/peppery flavor; very long strong stony/mineral/tangy/steely/metallic light spicy/peppery/mango/pineapple finish; some like a Rheinpfalz R, some like a simple Austrian GV; not the spicy/peppery character of GV; quite an interesting white if a bit severe on the palate. $26.00 (AV)
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And a wee BloodyPulpit:
1. RV: An indigeneous grape of unknown parentage. From the Ecker WebSite:
Roter Veltliner
The Roter Veltliner, earned little attention the last years,now is becoming a trendy niche product with cult potential.
For a long time, the rumor persisted that this was a relative of the indigenous grape Grüner Veltliner. This presumption was refuted in the nineties by Ferdinand Regner, member of the HBLA and BA for fruit and wine in Klosterneuburg. The truth is, that the Grüner Veltliner does not belong to the Veltiner family. A connection probably exists between the Roter Veltliner and the Veltliner family. Varieties such as Silvaner, Neuburger, Frühroter Veltliner, Rotgipfler and Zierfandler can be traced back to the Roter Veltliner. However, the geographical origin of the variety is not clarified.
The Roter Veltliner is now prevalent in Lower Austria, particularly in the region Wagram. In 1999, according to the vineyard census, the Roter Veltliner was planted on little less then 260 hectares of vineyards. 10 years after it was reduced for a quarter (190 hectares). Thanks to the commitment of a few specialists who could keep the species and establish it better and better by a return to tradition and local varieties, especially in the last decade. This is also reflected in the costumer's demands.
This medium to late ripening grape requires warm locations. The variety is very vigorous so lean soils are favorable. The Roter Veltliner tolerates drought significantly better than the Grüner Veltliner. In addition, the Roter Veltliner is very susceptible to fungal diseases and sometimes very sensitive to frost. The harvest of this variety can be described as average, but also unsafe.
The variety Roter Veltliner is recognized by its reddish, tomentose shoot tip, large, five-lobed and deeply lobed leaves with reddish veining and large and especially red grapes with thick-skinned berries.
This is the 2'nd RV that I've tried. My sense is RV is a bit more neutral grape and doesn't have the strength of varietal character or fruit that GV has. Obviously, a variety that's right up Bonne's alley, but wouldn't play well in Monktown. Wonder why it's only made as a white wine and not a red??
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2. Ecker: They make a whole range of different varietals. I'd like to try more of them. Alas, this is the first Ecker I'd come across.
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3. The price for this RV is, of course, stupid. It makes no sense to spend $26 for a RV from Austria when you can get a VinTJS RoterVeltliner for $8.99.
Tom