WTN: 2005 Weingut Stadt Krems Sandgrube Grüner Veltliner

<table align="right" valign="top"><tr><td><img src="http://www.wineloverspage.com/forum/village/userpix/70_Stadt_Krems_Sandgrube_GV_1.jpg" border="0" align="left"></td></tr></table>Closed with a glass cork - the first time I've unknowingly bought a wine with such a closure. Once the faux screwcap is removed, though, the glass stopper does look quite elegant in the bottle.

12.5% alc./vol. Crystal-clear, bright watery-green hue with a bit of pétillance. Light petrol and spice on the nose, though it's mostly just crisp and light without any particular aroma dominating. It does have GV's savoury spiciness though. Laser-taut definition once again - fantastic wines these Grüners are, and so exemplary for their dryness and precision. Relatively simple on the palate, with fine crispness and definition, but also a bit of heat and some sulfur bite. Less aromatic concentration and flavour interest here than the Domäne Wachau GV that I reported on last week; that one was the better of the two wines IMO. Once the sulfur blows off here, though, it should be pretty good.

I'd say this one is GV in a simple-quaffer style.

Just as I had suspected, the sulfur did clear up by day two and the wine was more open in the glass last night. The Wachau was a notch above, I believe, but this is still a fine refreshing example that hit the spot as the mercury finally climbed up to a very pleasant 23ºC yesterday.

The winemaker at Stadt Krems, Herr Miesbauer, actually used to work for Domäne Wachau. I've found both to be excellent sources for quality GV on the cheap (and good ambassadors of their regions).

Thanks Bill! The wine definitely improved over a day. I just finished it today and the last glass was quite petrolly and nice. Sometimes they just need some aeration to come into their own.