Welschriesling Maidenstein 2024

Welschriesling — known locally as Ryzlink vlašský — is the signature white of Moravia's Pálava hills, and few producers make a stronger case for its seriousness than NEPRAŠ. Founded in 2012 by Radomír Nepraš and his son Ondřej (winemaker), this small family estate farms around 7 hectares of certified organic vineyards in Pavlov, a village perched on the limestone escarpment of the Pálava Protected Landscape Area, one of Moravia's most distinctive wine terroirs.

The Maidenstein is NEPRAŠ's entry point into the Welschriesling range — and it is anything but ordinary. Drawn from organically farmed vines on the calcareous slopes above Pavlov, the wine spends twelve months in large neutral oak before bottling, a process that builds texture without imposing wood character. The result is firmly in the house style: lean, mineral and precise, with a saline backbone and an almost electric acidity that cuts through to a long, peppery finish.

On the nose, expect green apple, white peach and a dusting of white pepper over a cool stony undercurrent. The palate is focused and dry, with citrus zest, chamomile and a mineral tension that speaks directly of the limestone beneath the vines. The finish lingers with a characteristic snap of acidity — refreshing and moreish.

In a nutshell: Morava's answer to Muscadet sur lie — but with more spine and grip. An ideal pairing for grilled fish, goat's cheese, charcuterie boards or simply an aperitif worth paying attention to.