Frühroter Veltliner, an extremely rare variety

Kurt Taschner, owner and winemaker of Taschner Wine House likes experimenting and doing things others do not practice. He is the only one who released his bottle fermented Chardonnay sparkling wine without being disgorged– to let the sommelier or the keen winelover do the disgorging himself. Korai Piros Veltelini (Frühroter Veltliner) is a grape variety you can find in Kurt Taschner’s portfolio, but hardly anywhere else in Hungary. Frühroter Veltliner is a natural cross between Roter Veltliner and Silvaner. Roter Veltliner’s origin has not been uncovered yet, but it is confirmed that surprisingly enough it is not related to Grüner Veltliner. In Austria 605 ha, in Slovakia 363, in Czech Republic 251 ha, in France only 5 ha, in Italy a few, in Germany only 4 hectares and in Hungary also only a few hectares are grown – and it is restricted to Sopron wine region.

“Early budding and early ripening, as its name suggests, susceptible to downy and powdery mildews and to botrytis bunch rot. Vigorous and best pruned long. Small bunches and berries.”

Excerpt From: Robinson, Jancis; Harding, Julia; Vouillamoz, Jose. “Wine Grapes (9780062325518).” iBooks.

Taschner Korai Piros Veltelini boasts flowers and peach on the nose, tropical fruits and spiciness on the palate. Mango and citrus fruits. Light, juicy wine ideal with turkey dishes.