Grapes: Blaufränkisch
Region: Styria, Austria
Vintage: 2020
Viticulture: Biodynamic
Soils: Opok (Rocky Clay + Silt over Chalky Marl subsoil)
Vinification: Grapes are hand-harvested into small crates, with manual selection in the vineyard. Destemmed and direct-pressed, in open pneumatic press. In old neutral French barriques and 300L barrels
Aging: 12 months in total neutral oak casks
Fining or Filtering: None
Sulfur: None
Notes from the Importer: Grapes for this wine are always the first to be harvested, usually at the end of September, which brings this soulful rosé its appealing freshness, low ABV (about 10%) and high drinkability.
Fun facts:
- Roland is a member of Schmecke das Leben (“Taste Life”), a circle of like-minded Styrian growers whose wines we really love – his colleagues Franz Strohmeier, Sepp Muster, Andreas Tscheppe are also represented by us in the States.
- All Tauss’ vineyards lay on one hill called Hohenegg, a beautifully green sun-laden slope with a chapel dedicated to St. Urban – the patron saint of winemakers – at the top.
- Roland has a ritual of walking up there every morning, and you can definitely see the daily hike in his impressive calf muscles
- The “Opok” wines are made with grapes from the lower part of the hill, while the “H” line comes from the steeper upper parts that yield wines with more structure
- Besides the immaculate winery, the Tauss’ property also features a cozy, fully eco-friendly hotel that takes advantage of its beautiful verdant surroundings, with wellness and yoga classes, run by Roland’s wife Alice – a tip for your next holiday retreat, perhaps?
Personality: such a pretty, energetic, irresistible rosé! Deep color, fruity nose with a touch of funk and forest strawberries, great mouthfeel tingling with pleasantly tart rose-hip and red fruit jelly notes. If you’re into energizing natural rosé, this one is definitely your Valentine.
