<table align="right" valign="top"><tr><td><img src="http://www.wineloverspage.com/forum/village/userpix/70_WachauFederspielTerrassenGV_2.jpg" border="0" align="left"></td></tr></table>I picked up this delightful GV at Vintages for $16.95. I have to say that as far as Austrian whites go, I can't find much fault at all with our province's fine-wine monopoly, Vintages; they seem to regularly feature at least some Austrian wine, and with my interest in Austrian culinary culture and wine, I snap most of these wines up whenever I can. This one has a screw-cap closure.
12% alc./vol. The cap is unscrewed to reveal a beautiful, crisp minerally/citrusy nose that's evident even before any wine is poured. Crystal-clear, youthful brassy-green hue with very pale straw overtones; a bit of effervescence on the sides of the glass. Intense tropical-fruit aromas with ample hints of spicy quince upon swirling, and whiffs of classic GV white pepper. Strong quince notes with every swirl. Electrifyingly crisp and full-textured right from the entry, leading to an intense minerally texture on the mid-palate with a citric crispness and a fresh, cleansing yet substantial texture. The moderate alcohol level ensures a well-structured yet smooth wine with no heat or rough edges and, thanks to this, you can completely cross out palate fatigue: in fact, this is wine that really makes the palate come alive, and it works equally well as a very high-quality apéritif and as a table wine. Use it in all your best white-wine situations; it won't disappoint.
Perhaps most surprising to me was the fact that this is a co-op wine: this fact notwithstanding, the quality is exemplary.