2018 “Celebrate!” Estate Sparkling Grüner Veltliner - Kramer Vineyards

Shaved lime peel, wild dandelions, apricot pit. Pineapple core, candied ginger, underripe Anjou pear. Clean and crunchy bursts of white peach, melon rind, and grapefruit pith pop with bright and lighthearted enthusiasm as wildflowers, arugula, and river stones complicate the youthful and energetic display. Subtle hints of basil, fresh herbs, and bitter leafy greens emerge in a layer of intriguing natural tones that playfully intersects with white pepper and delicate spice. Interesting stony minerality flows within the fresh and unpretentious attack while enhanced in intensity by wonderfully zippy effervescence. Whimsically dry and crisp on the palate with a tart and linear mouthfeel reminiscent of sour candy; exhibiting refreshing and food-friendly qualities presented in a fun and easygoing style. Medium minus in body and supported by a pronounced thread of lingering acidity. This 2018 "Celebrate!" Estate Sparkling Grüner Veltliner by Kramer Vineyards is a delightfully cheerful, unique, and delicious bubbly from the Willamette Valley. 

Although most often made as a still white wine, Grüner Veltliner is a legendary Austrian grape that is perfectly suited to producing fresh and delicious sparkling wine. This bottling, crafted by Kramer Vineyards using Grüner Veltliner sourced from their estate vineyard in Yamhill-Carlton, showcases an extremely fun and lively take on a typically serious white grape. This wine contains an interesting slightly-underripe stone fruit and citrus led profile balanced with lightly bitter leafy tones and delicate spice. Since its sparkling character was achieved via pressurization in a stainless steel tank it remains wonderfully primary in character and is hard not to love for its beautiful simplicity. This is an unconventional and extremely well executed creation.