At a glance

Producer

Weingut Emmerich Knoll

Region

Wachau, Austria

Grape variety

Riesling

Wine type

White

Body

Light-bodied and Crisp

Sweetness

Dry

Typical price

€55-€85 (estimated release price, ex-cellar and global online retail)

Tasting profile

Tight, citrus zest, stone fruit, white florals, mineral, and light spice; still closed aromatically.

Evolution: Opens with aeration, gaining ripe apricot, lime, exotic herbs, wet stone/mineral, and honeyed depth over time.

At peak: Lively, textured, complex minerality with subtle petrol and lanolin notes; palate length and elegance at its peak.

Structure

Acidity

Very high, classic for Wachau Smaragd wines

Tannins

None (as a dry Riesling)

Alcohol

Typically 13.5-14.5% ABV (2024 vintage preview suggests typical range)

Aging potential

Exceptional; Smaragd-level Wachau Riesling regularly ages 15+ years

Drinking window

Peak drinking

2030 to 2041

Optimal window

2027 to 2044

Current status

Barrel sample/Not yet released. 2024 vintage in pre-release or en primeur phase.

Current condition

Very youthful, structured, and primary; high potential but currently closed.

Wachau Riesling Smaragd from a top site (Schütt) and top producer (Knoll) is renowned for its cellaring capability; best drinking from 6-10 years after vintage with a wide peak plateau thanks to balance and acidity.

Food pairing

Grilled white fish with citrus, roast chicken, Asian cuisine (especially Thai), aged goat cheese, shellfish, pork with apples.

Serving

Decant

Not required

Sustainability

Sustainability score: 7/10

Hand-harvesting, minimal intervention in vineyard, native fermentation, limited SO₂ use, light glass bottles, no irrigation. Participation in Austria’s ‘Sustainable Austria’ regional initiatives but not individually certified. This estate is known for careful vineyard stewardship; uses local cover crops, promotes biodiversity, reduces chemical inputs.

While Emmerich Knoll does not hold formal organic/biodynamic certification, their practices reflect a strong commitment to sustainable viticulture (biodiversity, hand-worked vineyards, minimal additives) typical of top-quality, family-run Wachau estates. The estate’s low-impact farming, local bottling, and participation in regional sustainability programs are positive, though export markets unavoidably introduce some transport carbon footprint. No plastic packaging; recyclable glass and natural cork used. Overall, the wine rates strongly on sustainability compared to global peers, with the main limits being absence of international certification and unavoidable carbon for global transport.