Inimitable Wines of Germany, Austria, and Alsace

Alex Pross, K&L Burgundy, Germany, Alsace, and Austria Buyer

Endlessly refreshing, complex, and singular, the wines of Germany, Austria, and Alsace are ones that you just want to spend time with. While some fly under the radar, those who follow them almost always become passionate admirers, and the rewarding prices make it all that much easier to find the next gem. Today we're highlighting the dynamic Rieslings of Austria, celebrating two decades of working with Charles Baur, checking in on our favorite Grüners, revisiting the wonderul wines of Max Ferdinand Richer, and even have a few rarities from FX Pichler.

Perfect for Summer: Racy Grüner Veltliner from Austria
Riesling Lovers, Look to Austria
Charles Baur Brings the Best Value in Aromatic Whites from Alsace
Strong 2023s from a German Riesling Master: Max Ferdinand Richter
Rarities from a Cult-Caliber Luminary: FX Pichler

Be sure to visit our Local Events page on the K&L website for a comprehensive listing of this week's in-store tastings.

Perfect for Summer: Racy Grüner Veltliner from Austria

Austria is dominated by old wineries with long lineages, yet they’re also at the forefront of both organic and biodynamic faming. Grüner Veltliner is the most recognizable grape variety grown in Austria, and it recently has gone through a revolution—almost all of the Grüner Veltliner producers we carry are at the very least growing organically and many are employing biodynamic growing practices. In addition to the best-possible growing practices, these century-old wineries have managed to integrate New-World technological advances with Old-World winemaking techniques. Read more.

2023 Schloss Gobelsburg "Schlosskellerei" Grüner Veltliner Kamptal $17.99 View
2023 Nigl "Freiheit" Grüner Veltliner Kremstal Niederösterreich $19.99 View
2022 Hirsch "Hirschvergnugen" Grüner Veltliner Kamptal $21.99 View
2022 Bründlmayer "Kamptaler Terrassen" Grüner Veltliner Kamptal $24.99 View
2022 Nikolaihof Hefeabzug Grüner Veltliner Wachau $27.99 View
2022 Bernhard Ott "Fass 4" Grüner Veltliner Wagram $32.99 View

Riesling Lovers, Look to Austria

Yes, Austria should be uttered in the same sentence when we discuss such great Riesling producing regions as Germany and Alsace. Sommeliers, wine writers, and industry professionals are constantly singing the praises of Austrian Riesling, and the more we taste the more we agree with this inescapable conclusion. What makes Austria such an exciting region for Riesling production is their ability to deliver outstanding value in the entry-level range while simultaneously delivering world-class quality in both the mid and high-tier price-points as well. If you love Riesling you’re guaranteed to find a great one in your price range. Read more.

2022 Schloss Gobelsburg "Schlosskellerei" Riesling Kamptal $19.99 View
2022 Bründlmayer "Kamptaler Terrassen" Riesling Kamptal $24.99 View
2022 Alzinger Dürnsteiner Riesling Federspiel Wachau $31.99 View
2021 Bründlmayer Ried Zöbinger Heiligenstein 1 ÖTW Riesling Kamptal $49.99 View
2021 Schloss Gobelsburg Ried Gaisberg Riesling Erste Lage Kamptal $49.99 View
2021 Schloss Gobelsburg Ried Heiligenstein Riesling Erste Lage Kamptal $69.99 View

Charles Baur Brings the Best Value in Aromatic Whites from Alsace

K&L has been working with Charles Baur winery directly for over 20 years, and, as impossible as it seems, the wines get better every year. At the helm of Charles Baur winery is Arnaud Baur Jr., who has been in charge for 10+ years. With a history that dates back almost 100 years to 1930, Charles Baur winery is an icon in Alsace. What really separates Charles Baur from other Alsatian wineries is the value of their wines—at a fraction of the price that many other domaines charge, their wines stand toe-to-toe in terms of quality. Read more.

2022 Charles Baur Sylvaner Alsace $12.99 View
2022 Charles Baur "Cuvée Charles" Riesling Alsace $14.99 View
2021 Charles Baur "Fronenberg" Gewürztraminer Alsace $17.99 View
2018 Charles Baur Brand Riesling Grand Cru Alsace $23.99 View
Charles Baur Crémant d'Alsace Brut Rosé $17.99 View
Charles Baur "Emotion" Cremant d'Alsace Brut $19.99 View

Strong 2023s from a German Riesling Master

Every year the arrival of the wines of Max Ferdinand Richter are my bellwether for the quality of the upcoming vintage from Germany. Not only are the Richter wines usually the first arrivals from each vintage, but they offer a snapshot of the entire Mosel Valley thanks to their wide range of vineyard sources. The 2023 vintage in Germany has turned out to be very strong thanks to rains in August that revived the vines after a record-setting heat in early summer. The Richter style of wines perfectly integrates with the warm weather conditions, and the fruit on the 2023s absolutely sings while each wine displays its unique terroir. Read more.

2023 Max Ferd. Richter Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Kabinett Mosel $25.99 View
2023 Max Ferd. Richter Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Kabinett Mosel $25.99 View
2023 Max Ferd. Richter Veldenzer Elisenberger Riesling Kabinett Mosel $25.99 View
2023 Max Ferd. Richter Brauneberger Juffer-Sonnenuhr Riesling Spätlese Mosel $34.99 View
2023 Max Ferd. Richter Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Spätlese Mosel $34.99 View
2023 Max Ferd. Richter Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Auslese Mosel $39.99 View

Rarities from a Cult-Caliber Luminary: FX Pichler

FX Pichler has long been the standard-bearer for Austrian Riesling and Grüner Veltliner, and we're thrilled to be able to offer the highly anticipated 2022 releases. Highlighted here are single-vineyard selections of both varietals known for their storied intensity, complexity and length that are the darlings of collectors everywhere. For enthusiasts looking for the personality of Austria with a decidedly Burgundian sensibility, consider casting a wide net on these singular renditions.

2022 FX Pichler Loibner Grüner Veltliner Federspiel Wachau 91 $39.99 View
2022 FX Pichler Dürnsteiner Grüner Veltliner Wachau 94 $49.99 View
2022 FX Pichler Loibner Burgstall Riesling Federspiel Wachau 95 $49.99 View
2022 FX Pichler Loibner Ried Loibenberg Riesling Wachau 97 $79.99 View
2022 FX Pichler Loibner Ried Steinertal Grüner Veltliner Smaragd Wachau 97 $99.99 View
2022 FX Pichler Loibner Ried Steinertal Riesling Wachau 98 $109.99 View
2022 FX Pichler Dürnsteiner Ried Kellerberg Riesling Wachau 99 $119.99 View
2022 FX Pichler Dürnsteiner Ried Kellerberg Grüner Veltliner Wachau 97 $119.99 View