BKWine Pick: Weingut Erich Machherndl, Wachau, Austria

Weingut Erich Machherndl, Wachau, Austria
Erich Machherndl in Weissenkirchen in der Wachau is a master of the Austrian grape variety grüner veltliner. A good example is his Grüner Veltliner Federspiel 2008, with a high acidity, very clean and crisp style. “That’s exactly how I want it” says Erich. He started working in the vineyard with his father in 1997. Now it is mostly Erich who runs the business, and thus gets the glory. He has 8 hectares and makes a wide range of different wines, not only the GV. He also makes excellent pinot blanc and chardonnay. The pinot blancs are of high quality, full of character, not what you would expect from this otherwise rather anonymous grape. The Pinot Blanc 2000 is outstanding with an intense flavour, with touches of oily honey (if that sounds strange, it’s not!) notes and a god minerality. His chardonnay is made in two variants: with and without oak. My favourite is his Chardonnay Mal Anders, full-bodied with a high acidity, not unlike a chablis.

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