One of the largest family-run biodynamic producers in Central Europe is undoubtedly Meinklang. A busy farm where a herd of cattle provides all the manure and where all the processes are carried out under Dementer biodynamic certification. But if there is one thing the winery’s landscape, located near the town of Pamhagen in the Burgenland area of eastern Austria, is known for, it is for the wild vines that grow in absolute freedom. Following the “grauburgunder” concept, which means unpruned vines in the local Burgenland dialect, the 67 hectares of vineyards support themselves in harmony with animals, people and crops.
And this is where Meinklang Graupert Pinot Gris is born, an orange wine made from Grauburgunder (Pinot Gris) grapes planted on sandy loam soils. All processes are biodynamic and the harvest is carried out manually when the grapes reach optimum ripeness. When the grapes reach the winery, fermentation is spontaneously triggered by native yeasts. Because this is an orange wine, the must macerates with the skins for 2 weeks and then the wine is aged in concrete eggs. When it is ready, it is bottled without filtering or clarifying.
A co-ferment of Riesling and Gewuztraminer on skins for 1 year in concrete egg. The fellas from AMI venture out of their home turf into Alsace for this expressive number. Orange tinted, spice driven and lightly bitter. It's a stunner.