Ziniel Muskat

From "the lowest point in Austria," where winemaker Andreas Ziniel says his family sits "completely at peace in the middle of the universe," comes Muskat — dry Gelber Muskateller gone gloriously free-range. Ziniel farms organically near Lake Zicksee in southeastern Burgenland, and builds this NV cuvée like a mini-solera: fresh harvest blended with an older vintage, part whole-cluster carbonic and part skin-fermented, finished with a whisper of sulfur and nothing else. Is it white? Is it orange? Yes — a musky floral firework of orange blossom, melon, lime zest, and nutmeg spice over crisp, sandy-loam minerality, bone-dry where Muscat usually goes sweet, and dangerously drinkable at just 11%. The natural-wine bar pour that converts Riesling and Grüner lovers — chill it hard for aperitivo hour, spicy takeout, or a snacky evening that gets away from you.

Wine Details:

Grapes: 100% Gelber Muskateller (Yellow Muscat)

ABV: 11%

Region: Sankt Andrä am Zicksee, Burgenland, Austria

Farming / Practices: Organically farmed; natural winemaking — partial carbonic and skin fermentation, multi-vintage blend, minimal sulfur (~10 mg/L), low intervention

Producer: Weingut Ziniel — Andreas Ziniel, family estate near Lake Zicksee

Bottle Size: 750ml