The Kalkspitz from Christoph Hoch is a fresh natural white petnat made by mainly Grüner Veltliner and Zweigelt. Lime, green walnut, mint on the palate, medium high acidity and good minerality. Elegant mild perlage. Christoph Hoch has very active, chalky soil much like what is found in the Cote des Blancs in Champagne.
Upon learning this, he wanted to try out making a pet nat. In an effort to learn about sparkling wine, he spent time in Champagne with DeSousa, Laherte, and Tarlant. Benoit Tarlant (of Champagne Tarlant) made a bet with Christoph that it would be nearly impossible for him to make a stable pet nat. The bet was that if Christoph succeeded, then Tarlant would give Christoph twelve barrels to use. After his first bottling, Christoph sent him twelve bottles to try and after trying the bottles, Benoit conceded that he lost the bet and Christoph drove to Champagne to collect his barrels! 🍾
Christoph Hoch is a new, young Austrian winemaker in the Kremstal. He started out in 2009 at his parent's winery, making wine in a traditional style and he got bored. The schedule was too set for him. So, he started experimenting in 2010 and split from his parent's weingut in 2013. He has 5 hectares from his family spread throughout four different vineyards, all in the town of Hollenburg. Hollenburg is on the south side of the Danube, and like the other areas of the Kremstal, the subsoil is conglomerate.