New Arrivals from Jutta Ambrositsch!
7/11/18 -
In its most simple definition, a Gemischter Satz is a field blend: a wine made from a mixed planting of a minimum of three different grapes that are harvested at the same time, fermented and aged together. In the past, these mixed vineyards were often planted as insurance against difficult vintages, and I've always been a fan of the underlying message at work, that diversity brings safety and in best cases, symphony. This is not to say that all Gemischter Satz wines are equal, but when the balance of grapes, farming, and thoughtful cellar work is struck, they can reflect a unique story of the vintage and the region. Another compelling reason to try Gemischter Satz is that in some areas, these vineyards are the bastions of regional and often forgotten grapes—Jutta continues to keep planting these varieties through selection massale and a nursery that focuses on regional and rare varieties.
Jutta has been making wines since 2004, coming from a career in graphic design (that we ultimately get to see exercised on the labels). She realized she missed working with her mother in the garden—dirt under her nails, sun on her back, the rewards of a day's labor. It's a dream many of us have, and very few act on it, even fewer with success. She ended up slowly accruing top vineyard sites in Vienna, mostly in the city's 19th District (around 3 hectares total), and later in the 21st (one hectare on the Bisamberg, a renowned hillside of predominately loess soils). Vienna is incredibly unique in the fact that it is the only major city that is home to a significant amount of vineyards still in cultivation (around 640 hectares worth). She also had some hectarage in the Thermenregion (south of Vienna) for a spell, but has since chosen to direct her focus fully to the plots in Vienna. Her commitment to her vineyards is felt in the wines, as the farming is all by hand and organic, producing top quality grapes. Jutta's husband Marco also helps with cellarwork and wherever else he is needed. They are currently working in a cellar shared by like-minded winemakers, and use almost exclusively stainless steel tanks to preserve a level of freshness and verve in the wines. We are very excited to offer a selection of 2016ers from Jutta: two different white Gemischter Satz (the Satellit from the Bisamberg in the 21st District, and the Glockenturm from the 19th), along with a single-vineyard Riesling from the Rosengartel on the Nußberg, and a delightfully chillable red from one of the few Roter Gemischter Satz vineyards remaining within Vienna. Lean, crisp, and vibrant across the board, the wines are shimmering with acidity and elegant clarity, and would fare fantastically with oysters on the half shell, bright summer salads, schnitzel, grilled fish and more! Cari Bernard
