Der Name ist ein Omen: Sandgrube translates directly as «sand pit». Nevermind we buy this wine from an avid golfer and the name also means sand trap. Deep sand and loess soils shape the vineyard Sandgrube — extensive loess and sand deposits form the basis for the calcareous, well-aerated humic soils. The loess itself consists of fine dust derived from calcareous rocks mixed with dolomite, feldspar, quartz, mica and clay minerals carried by the wind during the cold stages of the Ice Age and deposited on the foothills of the Alps when there was little by way of vegetation. Vivid yellow/gold in color; fresh (eventually even after days of having been opened), one can even smell the lift on the nose with aromas suggestive cool green grapes, kiwi fruit, fresh snow pea greens, yellow plum and a hint of white pepper; easy vibrant appeal on the palate, just rounded with a delicate viscosity, an elegant underlying minerality and perfectly balancing mouthwatering acidity that keeps everything fresh on the finish.

"Agil, dynamisch und geradlinig" (agile, dynamic and straightforward) as Weingut Weszeli themselves describe the wine; from vineyards planted to pure gneiss with almost no topsoil at 380 meters (c. 1,250 feet), 'completely exposed and cold, the last to be picked every year' this wine is just redolent with Riesling purity what with shimmering come hither aromas of citrus and stone and peach (our wine director noted bergamot); to heck with the margarita (for now), this one's got the balance of elements and (although completely dry) the completely wet thirst‑quenching qualities, the push/pull, both challenging and satisfying and mouthwatering long on the tongue; splendid accompaniment to a tossed salad of fresh greens, to a delicately poached trout or to an expertly-prepared Wiener schnitzel with fresh squeezed lemon or, perhaps, simply, a sunset … Read, it's quite versatile. And, good golly, it's vegan, too.

Light yellow gold with glints of green in color; fresh, spring-infused aromas hint at things like orchard fruits, chervil and fresh snow pea shoots; lovely equilibrium, easy and refreshingly light on its feet, but somehow also just ample in body and oh so satisfying. Talk about yer perfect porch-pounder. And — this is a full 1-litre bottle. Delicious and longer-lasting, too.