The Alpine Relic

Sandwiched between Switzerland and Austria, the Principality of Liechtenstein is one of the only two doubly landlocked countries in the world, the other being Uzbekistan. Lichtenstein is one of Europe’s six microstates, the other five being Vatican City State (0.44 sqkm), Principality of Monaco (2.02 sqkm), Republic of San Marino (61 sqkm), Republic of Malta (316 sqkm) and Principality of Andorra (468 sqkm). Liechtenstein covers merely 160 sqkm – 38.6% the size of Vienna or 17.9% the size of Berlin – and has a population of less than 40,000.
Modern-day Liechtenstein came under Roman rule in the 1st century AD and became part of Provincia Raetia, of which Augusta Vindelicorum (Augsburg, Germany) was the capital. To its east, a major garrison of legionnaires was in nearby Brigantium (Bregenz, Austria). During the early medieval period, the area was ruled by successive Frankish kingdoms. It was not until around 1000 AD that the area became part of the Holy Roman Empire.
Liechtenstein derived its name from the House of Liechtenstein, originally from an eponymous castle just outside the boundaries of Vienna. As junior nobles, members of the House of Liechtenstein used to advise and serve members of the powerful House of Habsburg. They gradually gained imperial immediacy – i.e. answerable to the Holy Roman Emperor only, without any intermediate feudal tenure – and a seat at the Reichstag (Imperial Diet). To further reward Liechtenstein’s service to Habsburg, Holy Roman Emperor Charles VI granted them an area and renamed it after the family, hence Liechtenstein.
The Holy Roman Empire was abolished in 1806 by Napoleon I, who instead instituted the Confederation of the Rhine. Under the latter’s framework, all member-states of the confederation were sovereign. Therefore, Liechtenstein no longer owed any feudal obligations to any overlord, and became a fully sovereign principality. Concurrently, during German mediatization from 1802 to 1814, a major political and territorial restructuring, Liechtenstein was nearly absorbed by the Kingdom of Bavaria.
After the defeat of Napoleon I, Liechtenstein became part of the German Confederation, presided over by the Emperor of Austria. Subsequent to the Austro-Prussian War in 1866, the German Confederation ceased to exist, and Liechtenstein declared permanent neutrality, but maintained very close ties with the Austrian Empire. Despite its neutrality during WWI and WWII, Liechtenstein suffered embargos and sanctions from the Allied Powers, and thus shifted to form closer ties with Switzerland instead.
The climate of Liechtenstein is decidedly alpine and continental, mitigated by the Bodensee (Lake Constance) and with plenty of sunshine (1,500+ hours per year). Viticulture and winemaking were probably introduced by the Celts, predating the Romans. In the 19th century, cattle and wine used to be the main export of Liechtenstein. Nowadays, most vineyards are situated around the capital Vaduz, producing a range of Austrian, German and French varieties such as Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Grüner Veltliner, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Production is small, most is consumed domestically and little exported.
Established in 1436, Hofkellerei des Fürsten von Liechtenstein (literally: Court Cellar of the Prince of Liechtenstein) grows vines and makes wines in both Liechtenstein and Austria. In the former, the vineyard of Herawingert in Vaduz is reputed to be one of the finest along the Rhine; in the latter, it owns some 35ha of vineyards in Wilfersdorf of the Weinviertel region.

 Hofkellerei des Fürsten von Liechtenstein Weinviertel DAC Grüner Veltliner 2013
A single-varietal Grüner Veltliner from Weinviertel, Austria. Limpid citrine with light sunshijne reflex, the refreshing nose offers lime peel, green apple and garden herbs. Supported by ample acidity, the tangy palate delivers lemon peel, bell pepper and rock salt. Medium-bodied at 12%, the crispy entry carries onto a tangy mid-palate, leading to a herbaceous finish.

Hofkellerei des Fürsten von Liechtenstein Vaduzer Abt AOC Pinot Noir 2012
A single-varietal Pinot Noir from Vaduz, Liechtenstein. Bright ruby with light cerise-carmine reflex, the delicate nose presents bilberry, jujube and sous bois. Maintained by lively acidity and gentle tannins, the fruit-driven palate supplies redcurrant, rosehip and red tea. Medium-bodied at 12.5%, the juicy entry continues through a herbal mid-palate, leading to minerally finish.

Wine samples supplied by Mr John Ng, Managing Director of Agência Superar; E: john@superar.com.mo; T: 2871 9978; F: 2871 7936; A: Rua dos Pescadores No. 354-408, Edificio Industrial Nam Fung Bloco II, Andar 4F.

Jacky I.F. Cheong is a legal professional by day and columnist by night. Having spent his formative years in Britain,
France, and Germany, he regularly writes about wine, fine arts, classical music, and politics in several languages