mEININGERS wEINWELT | Wine of the Month: July
With the latest edition of New Chapter ELEVATED, Markus Huber and Lenz Moser demonstrate once again that Austria's flagship white grape variety can always be reinterpreted in exciting new ways. This wine represents a contemporary expression of Grüner Veltliner, combining tradition and innovation in remarkable harmony.
What makes ELEVATED unique is its composition. The wine is based on Grüner Veltliner, complemented by around 13% Riesling. While this small addition does not fundamentally alter the wine's character, it lends an extra layer of finesse. Riesling's elegant fruit, delicate minerality, and floral nuances beautifully enhance the signature spice and freshness of Grüner Veltliner, resulting in a wine that preserves its familiar identity while revealing new dimensions.
The ELEVATED opens with aromas of vineyard peach and freshly sliced apple, complemented by subtle citrus notes and a hint of herbal spice. On the palate, it is vibrant and multi-layered, combining lively freshness with a silky texture, refined minerality, and remarkable elegance.
Behind the project stand two names that are deeply rooted in Austrian wine culture. Markus Huber is regarded as one of Austria's leading white wine producers, while the Moser family has shaped Austrian viticulture for 15 generations, playing a significant role in establishing Grüner Veltliner's international reputation. Together, they launched the New Chapter project in 2020 with the ambition of introducing Grüner Veltliner to a new generation of wine enthusiasts and strengthening its presence beyond the German-speaking world. They see themselves not only as winemakers but also as ambassadors for their homeland, their region, and their signature grape variety.
The home of New Chapter is the Traisental, one of Austria's most exciting white wine regions. Situated west of Vienna on the southern bank of the Danube, its vineyards benefit from limestone-rich soils covered with layers of loess and clay. These geological conditions give the wines exceptional elegance, fine minerality, and vibrant precision. Grüner Veltliner and Riesling, in particular, achieve remarkable expression here.
The 2025 vintage enjoyed ideal ripening conditions and a slightly later harvest within the usual picking window. This allowed the grapes to reach full aromatic maturity while retaining their lively natural acidity. The result is a classic Austrian white wine with an impressive balance of fruit, elegance, and depth. With 13.5% alcohol by volume and just 2 grams of residual sugar, this organically produced wine is dry, pure, and beautifully balanced. It pairs equally well with refined antipasti, fish, seafood, and a variety of meat dishes, making it a true all-rounder.
The vinification follows the same philosophy of precision. After destemming, the grapes remain on their skins for approximately eight hours before undergoing temperature-controlled fermentation in stainless steel tanks. The wine is then aged on its fine lees until bottling. This gentle approach preserves freshness and fruit purity while adding greater structure, depth, and a subtle creamy texture.
New Chapter ELEVATED is a compelling example of how a classic grape variety can be thoughtfully reimagined through a carefully considered addition. The small proportion of Riesling enhances the wine with extra elegance without overshadowing the unmistakable character of Grüner Veltliner. The result is an exceptionally refined, mineral-driven, and expressive white wine that reflects both its distinctive origin and its creators' vision of presenting Grüner Veltliner in a contemporary, internationally appealing style.
For more information and tasting notes:
https://www.meininger.de/wein/verkostungen/new-chapter
