Wine Club - November 2017

Welchriesling – Weingut Schmelzer (2015)

Winemaker: Georg Schmelzer
Soil: High Calcium Clay
Age of Vines: 20 yrs

Grape Variety(s): Welchriesling
Style: Dry White
Region: Gols, Burgenland, Austria

In Eastern Austria, not too far from Bratislava, Slovakia is situated the small village of Gols. Within the larger Burgenland appellation, the culture in Gols sets itself apart by being completely committed to biodynamic vineyard practices and natural wine throughout the village. Leading that effort is Georg Schmelzer, who not only makes fantastic wines, but prepares and grows biodynamic treatments for the entire area. They work the vineyards according to Demeter guidelines and thus exceed the requirements of organic wine
growing by far! They not only do without the use of pesticides and chemical pesticides, but also use many biodynamic preparations to stimulate the soil and maintain the health of the vines. The aim is not maximization, but the harmonization and support of nature in its fertility - year after year. Raise your hand if you’ve heard of Welchriesling!....yeah, that’s what I thought. It isn’t related to Riesling, so that’s a little confusing. This wine is made in stainless steel with no added sulphur and a lot of time on the lees (dead yeasts) to give it quite a bit of body and creamy texture. Hope you enjoy!

Tempranillo – Cerro La Barca (2016)

Winemaker: Juan Lopez
Soil: Clay and Limestone Slate and Clay
Age of Vines: 50 yrs

Grape Variety(s): Tempranillo
Style: Dry Red
Region: Extremadura, Spain
Created in 2003 by two young winemakers, after several years working in the wine world in different parts of Spain they decided to start a new project to make their own wines. Bodegas Cerro La Barca produces wines from Organic Agriculture, made with forgotten grapes of Extremadura. We work with the best winemakers in our region, who share the same principles of organic production: soil care, non-use of chemical synthesis products, favoring the implantation of auxiliary fauna, etc.
The vineyard has special characteristics. For instance, the soil is slate and not very deep, a peculiarity that complicates the cultivation. For this reason, we opted for a work of biodiversity, instead of tillage, through the sowing of legumes among the grapes. In spring, just before sprouting, they are mowed and incorporated to the land producing an important contribution to the green cover. This is the only work done on the soil of this vineyard.
Lovely red fruits and violets on the nose...lots of roses too! A great little tempranillo from one of the few producers in this part of Spain committed to natural practices.