Weingut Barbara Ohlzelt Gruner Leader

Barbara Ohlzelt has been making wine in the village of Zöbing in Austria's Kamptal since 2004. She predominately farms Grüner Veltliner and Riesling from 6 hectares of vines in such prestigious sites as Heiligenstein (soils of primary rock, sandstone), Seeburg (slate, sand, clay) and Kogelberg (primary rock, granite, shale). The vast majority of vineyard work is done by hand and farmed along organic principles: Barbara never uses chemical treatments on her soils. She produces three levels of wine: a liter Grüner Veltliner; two village wines from both Grüner and Riesling; and her single vineyard wines from Seeberg, Heiligenstein and Kogelberg. Barbara's style is one of finesse and elegance over power, density and texture.

Öhlzelt's Grüner Leader is a 1-liter bottle of Grüner Veltliner from 30 year-old vines sourced from all her different vineyard sites in Kamptal, fermented and aged in stainless steel. In the glass, the wine displays a light gold in color with aromas of quince, white pepper, cucumber, chervil and Honeydew that show amazing purity. The palate is lean and focused with an added mineral tinge to complement the green fruit and herb flavors. This is an amazingly easy to drink wine that is great on its own but can hold its own with a wide array of dishes from complex vegetarian dishes to poached fish to fried meats.