Schlehe Amber Arndorfer 2025

Schlehe Amber Arndorfer, natural wine, skin maceration of 85% Grüner Veltliner, 10% Chardonnay and 5% Neuburger, pale cloudy appearance, explosive aromas and crunchy, zingy palate.  Very low yields, older vines of Neuburger and Gruner on Loess soils in organic conversion.  A deliciously zingy skin maceration wine, malolatic fermentation in barrels, maturation in both foudre and some smaller barrels.  A great value amber wine, loads of personality and drinkability.  Schlehe is the name of the local blackthorn or sloe berry found in this part of Austria.

The Arndorfer way is artisan and natural all the way.  They place importance on the role of the soil in producing high quality and genuine wines.  We can't put it much better than they can:

'Origin for us is restricted to the vineyard and the vines.  The vines soak up the vigour of the soil and their surroundings and give the grapes their unmistakable character. Even though we do not feel bound by tradition, we want to emphasise that the influence of the vineyard is crucial to our philosophy. We are convinced that it is impossible to make two wines exactly the same if the grapes come from different vineyards, regions or countries.'

'We think that the most important parts of the vineyard are life and balance. Both things are very closely connected to our soils and the work we do with the soil. There are lot of little animals and very big mycelium in the soil which help the vine to get water and nutrients.  In our viticulture we try to provide these living creatures what they need so they will provide our vines what they need.  If we assault our vines with fertilizer and herbicides we will not have life and balance in our soil.  This is how it should be and the Arndorfer wines show this philosophy in their flavour. The wine have qualities and imperfections like people.  After all it is the imperfections in life that make it interesting.'

The Arndorfer Portfolio of wines is fairly extensive and includes the excellent Fuchs und Hase Pet Nats.  There are wines made from lesser known grape varieties. Most of the wines are unfiltered and unfined and can appear cloudy, even a bit murky.  However, this is not reflected in the taste.  They are always fresh and tense.  At Arndorfer, they are avoid sulphur and chemicals, but they don't subscribe to any certification.  The wines are genuine, enjoyable and very well priced.