2019 Kracher Kollektion

The 2019 Kracher Kollektion is a luxurious wooden case showcasing the very best of Austria’s legendary sweet-wine producer in a single, collectible set. Inside are seven 0.375 L bottles of Trockenbeerenauslese (TBA), each a meticulously crafted, botrytis-affected cuvée that highlights a different facet of Kracher’s style. This is not just a tasting selection, but an in-depth journey through one of the world’s benchmark dessert wine portfolios from the shores of Lake Neusiedl in Burgenland.

Tasting Notes
The 2019 Kracher Kollektion offers a spectrum of colours in the glass, from bright golden and pale straw in the Welschriesling- and Muskat-based wines, to deeper amber and copper hues in the Traminer, Scherebe, Rosenmuskateller and especially the red-fruited Zweigelt TBA – all with the characteristic luscious viscosity of great Trockenbeerenauslese. Aromatically, the set ranges from exotic floral tones of rose and hibiscus, through intense honey, apricot, and tropical fruits (mango, passion fruit, lychee, kiwi), to candied citrus peel, dried stone fruits, red berries and subtle smoky and spicy notes. Muskat Ottonel brings a lifted, perfumed character, Traminer delivers heady rose and honey, while Scherebe and the Welschriesling/Chardonnay blend layer in citrus, peach and dried fruit complexity. The Zweigelt and Rosenmuskateller TBAs add an unusual and captivating red-fruited dimension with notes of dried plum, cherry, strawberry, wild berries and gentle, fine-grained tannins. On the palate, every wine in the collection is intensely sweet yet beautifully balanced by vibrant acidity (typically 6–8 g/L), keeping them precise and refreshing rather than cloying despite residual sugar levels that often exceed 200 g/L. Textures are rich and silky, gliding across the palate with flavours that echo the nose: tropical fruit baskets, candied orange peel, white peach, apricot, dried fruits, floral tones and, in the red varieties, supple tannins and a faint smokiness. Alcohol remains moderate (around 9–10.5%), enhancing drinkability. These wines have formidable aging potential: properly cellared, they will evolve for decades, developing deeper notes of caramel, toffee, nuts and spice while retaining their core of fruit and acidity. The set is ideal both for immediate hedonistic enjoyment and for long-term cellaring and comparative tastings over many years.

Production
All wines in the 2019 Kracher Kollektion are Trockenbeerenauslese, crafted from meticulously selected, heavily botrytis-affected berries grown in Burgenland, primarily around Lake Neusiedl (Neusiedlersee). This unique terroir – shallow, warm lake, misty autumn mornings and sunny afternoons – provides perfect conditions for Botrytis cinerea (noble rot) to concentrate sugars, acidity and flavour in the grapes. The collection showcases a broad palette of varieties: Traminer, Muskat Ottonel, Scherebe, Welschriesling, Chardonnay, Zweigelt and Rosenmuskateller, each reacting differently to the lake-influenced microclimate. Harvesting is entirely manual, often in multiple passes through the vineyards, as pickers select only the shrivelled, nobly rotten berries suitable for TBA. In the cellar, Kracher applies a precision-driven vinification, typically involving gentle pressing of the tiny, concentrated berries, slow, cool fermentations, and élevage tailored to each cuvée – with the “Nouvelle Vague” wines often seeing carefully judged oak influence to add texture and complexity, and the “Zwischen den Seen” line favouring purity of fruit and terroir expression. The wines are then assembled and bottled with scrupulous attention to balance, creating a cohesive yet clearly differentiated collection.

Food & Serving
This collection is extraordinarily versatile at the table and a superb resource for food-and-wine exploration. Classic pairings include blue cheeses (Roquefort, Gorgonzola, Stilton), foie gras, terrines and rich pâtés, where the wines’ sweetness and acidity cut through salt and fat. The intensely aromatic TBAs (Traminer, Muskat Ottonel, Rosenmuskateller, Scherebe) are outstanding with fruit-driven desserts, citrus tarts, crème brûlée, panna cotta, baklava, and aromatic pastries featuring rosewater, pistachio or honey. The Welschriesling- and Chardonnay-based wines pair beautifully with apple and pear desserts, almond cakes and aged hard cheeses, while the Zweigelt TBA works particularly well with red-fruit desserts, dark chocolate with red berries, and even game terrines. Serve lightly chilled, ideally at 8–10 °C (46–50 °F), in small white-wine or dessert-wine stems to allow the aromas to open. Decanting is rarely essential but a brief 10–20 minutes in a small carafe can help the younger, more concentrated bottles unfurl their full aromatic range.

Producer
Kracher is the undisputed reference point for sweet wines in Austria and one of the world’s most celebrated producers of noble-rot dessert wines. Based in Illmitz on the eastern shore of Lake Neusiedl in Burgenland, the estate has been family-run for three generations, transforming the region’s unique microclimate into a global benchmark for Trockenbeerenauslese. Under the pioneering work of Alois Kracher and now Gerhard Kracher, the winery has achieved international acclaim, including being named “Sweet Winemaker of the Year” no fewer than nine times by the British magazine Wine, and “Winemaker of the Year 2017” by the German magazine Feinschmecker. Kracher also holds the distinction of being the first Austrian producer represented on the prestigious Place de Bordeaux, with their wines regularly ranked among the finest sweet wines in the world. The Kracher Kollektion, composed exclusively of TBA bottlings presented in handcrafted wooden cases, stands as the estate’s flagship expression and a benchmark for what botrytis-affected wines can achieve in finesse, intensity and longevity.

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