Staff Favorites From Germany & Austria

Can, “Leitz Out”, Rheingau Riesling, Leitz – 2021 $6.98

This wine jumps out at you with florals, stony minerality, and fresh green apple notes. On the palate it is mostly dry and refreshing with a touch of fruitiness. Drink this wine either on the beach in the middle of a triple digit day or while being lazy with salt and vinegar potato chips at home. – Archie Archuleta, Astor Wines & Spirits Consultant

Puszta Libre! Red, Claus Preisinger – 2022 $19.96

Nowadays it’s hard to find good Austrian wine that isn’t natural. Claus is one of the gurus of biodynamic farming and non-interventionist winemaking. A great pick up for those looking for a fresh, floral, bright, light and chillable red. – Chung Park, Astor Wines & Spirits Consultant

Dhron Hofberg Riesling Kabinett, A.J. Adam – 2021 $24.96

This comes from a steep grand cru vineyard full of slate and quartzite. Although this is a kabinett, there’s plenty of ripe fruit—apples and lemon—along with a swirl of petrol aromas, all held aloft by racy acidity. Riesling is about balance and harmony, and this has it in spades. Try finding a grand cru from Burgundy at this price. It doesn’t exist. – Amy Miller, Sales Manager

Riesling Sekt Trocken, Zeltinger Himmelreich, Schömann – 2020 $24.96

An amazingly complex dry, sparkling Riesling that will not break the bank by any means. This is my wine that fills the void of Champagne without making my wallet lighter. Schömann is filled with mineral notes of gunflint and whetstone. Expect peach, pear, and apricot abound as well as Riesling’s classic hint of petrol and unripe green apple on the nose. – Archie Archuleta, Astor Wines & Spirits Consultant

Grüner Veltliner “Hefeabzug”, Nikolaihof – 2021 $28.96

One of the truly amazing wines under $30. This historic winery has been making wines since Roman times and they were organic before that was a thing. All the steely minerality you would expect from a Grüner with the fine lees aging adding depth and texture to make this anything but ordinary. – Josh Mizrahi, Sales Manager