The Franz Schneider Wine Experience

Annual wine tasting in Halbturn

2012-01-25T21:16:00.002+01:00

Like every year some winemakers and wine lovers gathered in the local pub in January to taste the wines of the new vintage. Under the guidance of Viticultural consultant of our regional government we blind tasted some 46 wines of the vintage 2011 all of them from exclusively from Halbturn.
Overall the quality of the wines was quite impressive. The rumors going round in the wine scene of a really stellar vintage seems to be true. Especially the reds and among them the Zweigelt flight was really good. Nice fruit expression and enough balance between tannins and acid structure.

My tasting notes are already published in the "wine of the month" page.
Note: the first rating is mine and the number rating is the rating from the viticultural consultant. Many wines were cask samples and definitely in their infancy. Some of them will rest another 2 years in their barrels and change profoundly during this maturation period. As always tasting notes are just an impression of the current state of the wine and do not necessarily reflect the wine true style.

Artisan Wines News in Dezember

2011-12-08T09:50:00.001+01:00

Christmas

Unbelievably fast this last year has gone by ... again! In the days of advent the vines and we come to rest the first time since the harvest in September. Our wines are maturing in the tanks and barrels and even the vines, which lost the leafs by now, are relaxing from this years efforts. The winter pruning at Artisan Wines will start traditionally not before January to give our vines some more time to gather strength for the next season.

Artisan Halbturn Red

Still in time for the Christmas holiday the new vintage of the Artisan Halbturn Red 2009 hits the shelves. This wine was bottled in May and had some time to get some bottle ageing since then.
Vibrant aromas of blackberries, cherries and sour cherries perfectly supported by velvety tannins are making this wine the ideal companion for hearty food and cold winter evenings in front of the crackling fireplace.

Pannonian Christmas Market

The Pannonian Christmas Market located in castle Halbturn is opening today. Find some more information about the dates and program here.

Have a gorgeous advent and some relaxing Christmas holidays.

Artisan Wines News in November

2011-11-11T13:27:00.004+01:00

Saint Martin and the new wine

Blessing of the new wines and St. Martins day
Our parton's day "Saint Martin" in Burgenland is today, the 11th of November. According to the legend a flock of geese revealed the hide of Saint Martin and he was made bishop of Tours against his will. In his honour the traditional meal is Martinigoose with red cabbage and dumplings. We recommend as perfect pairing for this dish our Halbturn Red 2008.
The blessing of the wine will be held this Saturday 12th of November at 6 p.m. in the local wine shop in Halbturn. You will have the chance to taste some new wines afterwards.

First wine 2011
The first wine of the vintage is traditionally our Pure Welschriesling 2011. This wine shows upfront aromas of green apples, hay and white flowers on the nose. On the palate one will find bursting flavors of citrus fruits and spices. This is the perfect partner for your Sunday Schnitzel or as starter on it's own.

New partners
We are delighted to announce two new partners for Artisan Wines.

Handlavin.se
Peder Molin
http://www.handlavin.se/
Stockholm, Sweden

Die Weinbar
Schottenfeldgasse 92
1070 Wien
http://www.dieweinbar.at/

Enjoy this beautiful fall with new wines and delicious food!

Sincerely
Franz Schneider

Artisan Wines in Sweden

2011-11-02T18:13:00.000+01:00

A small step for mankind but a giant leap for Artisan Wines. Our full range of wines will be available via http://www.handlavin.se/ in Sweden.

Most recent clip on Artisan Wines

2011-10-25T17:24:00.000+02:00

Last weekend we were visited by a group of passionate wine lovers from Sweden. Handlavin.se sell soley Austrian Wines via a webshop in Sweden and we had fun trying the full range of Artisan Wines.

Peder is also an accomplished vlogger and you will find his interview just below. Enjoy!

Artisan Wines News in October

2011-10-09T16:32:00.005+02:00

In the cellar
On the last days of this wonderful September we managed to pick the last very delicious and ripe grapes for Artisan Wines. The perfect weather conditions helped to ripen the tannin in the berries and produced highly aromatic grapes. You won't have to wait to long to taste the first wine of this vintage. Currently we are already preparing to bottle the first batch of a fruit forward and spicy Pure Welschriesling 2011. It will hit the shelves after the blessing of the wines at Saint Martins day on 11th November 2011.

Pumpkin time
Enjoy the fruits of the fall with our recipes of regional and traditional food like pumpkins, cabbage and game. Find the best fall recipes at Artisan Wines - Wine & Food

Artisan Wines News in September

2011-09-09T13:01:00.001+02:00

Harvest 2011
Our harvest startet last weekend with early ripening Saint Laurent. We took the chance of the good weather to pick the grapes for our Sauvignon Blanc as well. In the last third of it's fermentation the Pure Sauvignon Blanc "Sturm" releases scents of ripe pears, gooseberries and pineapples.
Thursday we brought in the first batches of Welschriesling and the next week will be devoted to pick the better part of our Zweigelts. Last grapes to come in will be the Merlot for our "The Artisan" 2011.
One will find real time news of harvest at Facebook - Artisan Wines and Twitter.

Two new wines
The Pure Line is joined by the Pure Saint Laurent 2010. The wine shows a middle red hue with purple reflexions, unoaked fruit forward style, upfront red berries with hints of blackberries, fresh and lovely with an intense mid palate and well balanced tannin structure, cherry flavors with lucious red currant and rose hip follows through.

The second wine to hit the shelves is our flagship wine "The Artisan" 2009. "The Artisan" is always sourced from the best and oldest vineyards and will please lovers of age-worthy bold wines. A blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Zweigelt matured in 100% new barriques. As this wine will come in tiny quantities (283 hand-signed and numbered bottles!), be quick to save your share.

Please let us know how you like our wine at Artisan Wines on Facebook and as Wine comment respectively. We are looking forward to reading your takes on our wines.

Artisan Wines News in August

2011-08-21T15:22:00.002+02:00

Veraison
Veraison

The Veraison or the changing of the color of our grapes especially at Saint Laurent is nearly done whereas our late ripening Merlots are just spotting some blue berries. For the rest of August I am hoping for warm and sunny weather (like the most of us) to ensure optimal ripeness. Harvest will start in about 2 to 3 weeks at Artisan Wines and we've got loads of things to prepare in the cellar.

Pure Rosé offer
Summer is definitely the best time to enjoy a refreshing glass of Rosé. To make our Pure Rosé even tastier it comes 20% off in August if ordered in our Online-Shop and for ex cellar door sales.
Please let us know how you like our wine best at Artisan Wines on Facebook and as Wine comment respectively. We are looking forward to reading your takes on our wines.

Sustainability report
Artisan Wines celebrated his first birthday on May 1st, 2011. With our annual Sustainability report we would like to share our artisanal way of making wine in a carbon free manner. Special thanks goes to you as consumers of our wines. With every glass you are supporting climate protection projects and our nature in a direct way.

Artisan Wines News in July

2011-07-15T12:55:00.001+02:00

Flowering and Summertime

Flowering and Fruit set

This years flowering of our vines happened rather early at the end of May. Not really surprising though. Just think about the warm spring temperatures. I am quite pleased with the fruit set, especially with our Welschriesling vineyards. The Saint Laurent vines are still suffering a bit from last years cold weather conditions during bloom.

This year we've started an internal trial for our Zweigelt vines. All clusters were cut in half right after bloom. On the one hand this action causes looser grapes and on the other hand we've brought down the yield early to reduce the stress, caused by drought, of our vines. Thinning of the Merlot grapes is done the "traditional" way and one will find a clip of this work at Artisan Wines and Artisan Wines on Youtube.

Summer loves RoséAbsolutely perfect with hot summer nights goes a glass of ice-cold Pure Rosé. In a self-experiment we've tested some versions - pure, Aperol-Spritz, "normal" Spritzer, iced strawberry punch. My personal favorite was "normal" Pure Rosé Spritzer as it was the most refreshing version :-)
Please let us know how you like our wines best at Artisan Wines on Facebook or as Wine comment.

New partners
We are happy to announce two new distributors and one Marketing partner for Artisan Wines as of June 2011.

Wein&Co Handelsges.m.b.H.19x in Österreich
SCS, Autoallee 7, Top 25
2334 Vösendorf-Süd

Der Wein Push
Fritz-Arnold-Strasse 16
78467 Konstanz

Burgenland Tourismus
Johann Permayer-Strasse 13
A-7000 Eisenstadt
www.burgenland.info

Please find our detailed Partner list here.

The artisanal way to close bottles

2011-06-03T22:37:00.000+02:00

Follo wthe link below and see how we close Magnum bottles at Artisan Wines. Just those which don't fit into our bottling line though :-)

The artisanal way to close bottles

Artisan Wines News in June

2011-06-03T21:42:00.001+02:00

Weather conditions

Vineyard work
Warm temperatures and enough water ensured a quick growth of our vines. Currently we are rather busy with the shoot positioning and with this quick development you may start at the other end of the vineyard as soon you finished one row. One will find the clips of this work at Artisan Wines and Artisan Wines on Youtube.

Huge damage for the vineyards of our friend Rudi Wagentristl brought a hailstorm in the first days of May. Have a close look of the devastations at his blog.

Ratings
We are very proud to announce that our Artisan Wines Pure Rosé 2010 came on second to top (category Zweigelt - rated 2 glasses) in the recent Rosé tasting of Wein Burgenland in cooperation with Genuss.Magazin. Download the complete article with this link - Rosé Verkostung. (german version only)

Asparagus season
As always one will find seasonal recipes at our Artisan Wines - Wine&Food section with the asparagus special now. The new Smörgastorta recipe pairs very well with the current warm temperatures.

Pure Sauvignon Blanc
Most unfortunately we need to announce that our Pure Sauvignon Blanc 2010 is sold out ex cellar.

Kind regards
Franz Schneider

Artisan Wines News in May

2011-05-07T08:04:00.001+02:00

Work in the vineyards

The nice temperatures made our vines growing rather fast and this means loads of vineyard work for us. The recent work steps are cleaning the stems and the Shoot removal. With this work we are reducing the shoots and the yield per vine. The remaining shoots will grow stronger and healthier with all power focused on them. One will find the clip at Artisan Wines News and Youtube - Artisan Wines.

Birthday of Artisan Wines
Quite unnoticed passed the first birthday of Artisan Wines on the 1st of May. I would like to thank my family and friends for their huge amount of work, our partners and of course you, dear customer, as without you, Artisan Wines would not exist. As we are trying to get better every year we are looking forward to your comments at franz@artisanwines.at

New partners
We very proud to welcome following partners at Artisan Wines. You will find our wines now at:

Heuriger-Vinothek SchlossahausStefan Haubenwallner
Stiftsgasse 18
7123 Mönchhof

St. Martins Therme & Lodge Restaurant
Im Seewinkel 1
7132 Frauenkirchen

BUNT Das Eventrestaurant
Hietzinger Hauptstrasse 162
1130 Wien

Cucina Wetter
Payergasse 13/4, Ecke Weyprechtgasse
1160 Wien

Weinstadl Bad Tatzmannsdorf
Tschabbachweg 17
7431 Bad Tatzmannsdorf

Find more contact details to this partners here.

Recent wine ratings
We are proud to present the first ratings of our wines this year. Magazine "Wein.Pur" mentioned us in their "Best of Austria 2011"-guide on page 211. Please find a small excerpt of the ratings below:

Pure Sauvignon Blanc 2010 - very good price-value ratio
Pure Rosé 2010 - tip of the editors & very good price-value ratio
Halbturn White 2009 - good ageing potential for several years

We are very pleased with these good ratings for our wines but the most important rating is yours. Think about to add your wine comments here!

Artisan Wines News in April

2011-04-06T07:01:00.001+02:00

Clips and tastings

New clips
The recent video clip features the first two steps of the vineyard work at Artisan Wines. The Pruning and the Binding of the shoots is the foundation to an even canopy development and determines a huge part of the yield and therefore both steps are crucial in producing high quality grapes. One will find the clip at Artisan Wines News and Youtube - Artisan Wines.

Restructuring Wine&Food-page
We've changed the structure of our Artisan Wines - Wine&Food section. New sections are "soups", "summer recipes", "South Africa" and Asparagus recipes". The face-lift helps you to find your favorite recipe much quicker than before.

Tasting opportunities
The next opportunity to taste our wines will be on 8th of April 2011 at 5 p.m. at theSt. Martins Spa & Lodge. We are looking forward to pour our complete range of wines at this occasion. If you enjoy dinner at St. Martins restaurant look out for our wines. They are available by the glass!
On 14th of April 2011 we will present our wines as part of the "Wein Burgenland" wine fair at the Radisson Blu Carlton Hotel, Hviezdoslavovo námestie 3 in Bratislava.
We are looking forward to welcoming you at both events!

Artisan Wines News in March

2011-03-04T15:18:00.005+01:00

Vineyards and Bottling

Todays vineyard work
As temperatures are finally heading towards spring the next step of work in the vineyards will be the binding of the shoots. All the left shoots per vine will be tied to the trellising system as first step to develop an even canopy. One will find the clips in about no time at Artisan Wines-News or Youtube.

Bottling of PURE Rosé 2010
Spring is really on the doorstep now and therefore we are proud to present the perfect poolside wine for this season. The PURE Rosé 2010 combines upfront strawberry and raspberry flavors with lively texture on the palate. Available in our Online Shop.

Change in Shipping policy
Due to popular demand we have changed our Shipping and Payment policy for private customers with immediate effect. Find more information on this subject in this Special Newsletter.

This months tastings
The next opportunity to taste our wines in Vienna will be on 10th of March 2011 at 3 p.m. at the "Wein Burgenland" wine fair in the Hofburg, Vienna. Find some more information here.

Back to Mother City

2011-01-23T09:42:00.000+01:00

Today's the day!! Our this year winter/summer holiday is really on the doorstep now. The bags are packed and I can't wait to drive to the airport. BA will bring us via London Heathrow to Cape Town in about 11 hours time.

From Halbturns minus 1 degree to Stellenboschs forecasted 32 tomorrow and 34 on Tuesday ... oh my gosh I love summer ... especially in winter ;-)

Plans for this holiday include Cape Town with it's innummerable restaurants, table mountain, Cape Point, Jo's bakery (just for the gorgeous coffee), sipping a nice SB realxing at the pool (we try to find the best poolside wine of the vintage) and (of course) "some" wineries.

I do not know if we have a fast enough internet connection to upload some pics but we will definitely visit the former "The Nose" now "Chenin" in the Cape Quarter to chat via Skype and upload a new blog post. Stay tuned!!

Merry Christmas

2010-12-24T13:36:00.003+01:00

Once more "The Franz Schneider Wine Experience" blog is going to change it's direction ... actually it is a step back to where I've started this blog.

Main focus of the "The Franz Schneider Wine Experience" will be my travels in the wine world (I'am heading South again ... South Africa I'coming again !!) and all the works done during the year at Artisan Wines.

The Artisan Wines section will be labeled with "artisan wines" and will include some video clips too, starting with "Pruning the vines" in January. All clips will also be found at www.artisanwines.at.

My tasting notes will shift to the other blog "wines of the month".

Another new feature will be a recipe blog written by Ulli. Some delicous delights and regional food paired with our Artisan Wines will be published at "The herbs and I" soon.

As today is the 24th of December I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2011. I am looking forward to more wine adventures and challenges. If you are in Burgenland some time do not hesitate to pop in for a glass (or two).

Franz

P.S. You may stay in contact via Facebook and Twitter too ;-)

Harvest and EWBC 2010 Vienna

2010-10-22T09:14:00.003+02:00

Took a little while for this post but on the other hand .. harvest is finished.

This year was an unusually cold and wet one here in Austria. Cool Spring temperatures shifted the flowering about 2 weeks backwards with a heat spike just in the flowering week followed by torrential rain. As everybody knows that pretty bad for the fruit set. Sensitive varieties like Saint Laurent, Muskat, Chard and Pinot Blanc responded with close to 30 to 40 percent less yield. This crazy weather continued over the summer and brought us perfumed grapes due to high differences in day-night-temps, low sugar contents, high acidity and loads of canopy work in the vineyards resulting in an elegant but small harvest at Artisan Wines.

Our reds are currently untasteable due to the fact of ongoing Malolactic Fermentation ... everything keeps it's raspberry yoghurt touch on the nose .. but this will vanish as soon as the MLF is finished and the diacetyl is transformed afterwards.

The whites were racked off this week and are now waiting for lower outside temps for stabilization purposes.

Last night some 80 attendees of this years European Wine Blogger Conference (#EWBC) gathered at the Badeschiff for the Kick-off dinner. Important fact: Everyone was allowed to bring the own wines which resulted in a happy radom tasting of Schilcher Sturm, Grand vins de Bourgogne, Riojas and Artisan Wines.

The 3-course-meal started with fingerfood (very nice and spicy !!).

First course was a tartar of salmon trout, Viennese potatoe salad and field salad.

Main course: Braised shoulder of lamb, Swede oriental style.

Desert: Créme caramel, tonka bean and citrus food.

All in all well made but rather small portions. One can find certainly better restaurant nearby!

Anyway interesting people, glasses full of nice wine and exiting converstation made this a gorgeous evening. I can not wait to join the others for todays first conference day!!

Recent tastings ..

2010-08-22T14:37:00.006+02:00

I had some stunning wines in our last monthly tastings which I would like to share with you. Some were wines one can find in any better wine shop, others were really rare single bottles.

Wines were tasted blind ...

Saint Laurent tasting - May 25th 2010

1. Schneider Sankt Laurent Reserve 2007 - delicious - €18

deep crimson red with purple reflections, fruitforward, berry flavors, rather young, bit oaky, hints of vanilla and spices, nice acid and tannin structure, lingering, very nice wine in it´s youth, will last, potential.

2. Hillinger Sankt Laurent 2006 - good/very good - €19,99

bit more translucent as 1, quite young color, purple, stinks a little bit, total red berry fruit upfront on the nose, pure sour cherry with more air, foreign may Spain or Italy, nice and round on the palate, bit shorter than 1, but with Trinkfluss.

3. Gernot Heinrich Sankt Laurent 2007 - very good - €17,99

rather young in color, purple reflections, ruby red, slight watery rim, cherry flavors upfront, mild and round tannin structure, nice and easydrinking stuff.

4. Artisan Wines Halbturn Red 2008 - very good/delicous - €19

very good color depth, purple reflections, anisseed, cocolate and mocca flavors, berry flavors, silky texture, rather young, very good balance in tannin and acid, leathery spices adding complexity, lingering.

5. Paul Achs Sankt Laurent 2008 - good - €15,41

quite transparent color, stinks, opens up with more air, purple, fruity, cherry flavors, rather lighter easy drinking style, good Trinkfluss, would be a nice pool side wine, if wine is a bit chilled.

6. Pöckl Sankt Laurent Classique 2007 - very good - €16,50

deep ruby red, good color depth, bit restrained, will need some time, still young, cherry flavors and good acid structure, rather lean but elegant, bit herbaceous, slight hints of rosemary.

7. Zantho Sankt Laurent 2008 - good/very good - €8,99

good ruby red color, purple rim but orange reflections, bit restrained, bit sharp on the nose, sweet cherry nose, good acid structure, lingering, with good fruit flavors on the palate.

8. Grassl Sankt Laurent Reserve 2007 - very good - €23,75

dark red hue, purple reflections, bit overripe flavors upfront, dried fruits, lingering, good balance in acid and tannin structure, roasted oak with more air but very pleasant.

9. Umathum Sankt Laurent vom Stein 2006 - very good/delicious - €44,99

ruby red color, bit dusty, needs more air, seems to be foreign, animalisitc, good acid structure, lingering, elegant.

Ulli´s birthday wines were just French (by chance;-)

Michel Arnould Grand Cru Brut - very good/delicious

golden yellow hue with red reflections, very consistent collier and fine mousseux, brioche and bready notes upfront, some subtle grapefruit undertones, flinty, very good length, (100% Pinot Noir).

Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc 2007 - extraordinary

middle yellow hue with some green reflections, white blossoms, oak still prominent, no exotic flavors at all, super length, so very young, will last, opens up with more O2, complex multilayered white blossom flavors on the palate, extremely lingering.

Our birthday dinner (with 5 different raw milk cheeses):

Champage tasting - Blanc de Blancs

2010-05-11T09:20:00.002+02:00

Last year a group o fwine lovers from different fields of the industry started to meet regulary to taste wine. The special thing about this tasting is that no one (expect for the host) knows the theme. Just with this kind of blind tasting experience one is able to train his senses without being influenced by bottles, names, regions, brands and all these other normally important things if one chooses a bottle of wine with most funny results. In the recent month we were not able to pic upthe topic exepct for two time. Pinot Noir all over the world and the last tasting Champagne - Blanc the Blancs.

1. Extra Brut Pierre Peters Grand Cru - good/very good - €34

schäumt stark beim Einschenken, intensiv sprudelnde Perlage, gute Perlenkranz, helles goldgelb, hefig-germ, teigig, intensiv am Gaumen, gute Länge, mit mehr O2 verändert sich der Wein, zunehmend elegant.

2. Veuve Fourny & Fils Premier Cru - good - €32

schöner Perlenkranz, bleibt viel länger bestehen als bei 1, etwas schwächer sprudelnde Perlage, frisch fruchtig, Zitrusaromatik, etwas rustikaler am Gaumen, sehr viel CO2 spürbar, etwas kurz,

3. Blanc de quatre blanc Quattuor Drappier IV - delicious - €69

Perlenkranz nur sehr kurz beständig, intensive Perlage, feinkettig,sehr intensiv brotige Nase, Brioche, Zimt und Gewürze, vielschichtig, super Länge, mit mehr O2 Zitrusnoten, Orangenmarmelade in der Nase,

4. Launois Grand Cru - good - €16,65

Perlenkranz sehr kurz beständig, goldgelb, flüssige Bitterschokolade, Mandel, gereift, zum Teil oxidativ, Alterston am Gaumen dominierend, distinctive, polarisierend.

5. Guy Cadel 2002 Grande Cuvee - very good - €40

fast kein Perlenkranz, Perlage gut fein, helles gelb, rötlicher Schimmer, intensiv, reife Noten, ganz feine Honignote, Bienenwachs, Barriquenoten im Abgang, komplex, verändert sich mit der Luft, kräftig gebaut,

6. Legras & Haas 2002 - ok - €46

nur kurzer Perlenkranz, leicht böcksrig, helles gelb, etwas Zitrus, Aranzini, Länge ok, Perlage gleich weg, relativ dünn, etwas Gerbstoff

New Artisan Wines website launched

2010-04-01T12:41:00.002+02:00

Now finally we got our new Artisan Wines website.

Try this link: www.artisanwines.at and please let me know your impression.

cheers

Franz

Exiting things ...

2010-03-14T11:15:00.002+01:00

Beside my job at Wein&Co - Shop Luegerring things with Artisan Wines are gathering momentum too.

The white wines (Pure Welschriesling and Aritsan Halbturn White) were bottled last week. The red wines (Pure Zweigelt and Artisan Halbturn Red) are going to be bottled this week. "The Artisan", the flagship wine, is maturing in new French barriques for another 10 months.

But not everything is sunshine and roses. The printing company keeps me waiting for the labels since 4 weeks now. Personally I think they are not interested in such a small production as it is a lot of work and doesn´t bring a lot of bucks. On the other hand ... what is more important than customer service in times like this! One thing is for sure ... this fall I will definitely order my labels somewhere else.

Much easier is the work with the programmer. He is busy with the last steps of the new Artisan wines webpage. Some interesting features: videos of our work during the year, post your own tasting note of any Artisan Wine, Online-Shop, monthly Newsletter, interactive communication via Twitter and Facebook ... and starting with April 2010:

The Artisan Wines "Wine.Talks"!!!

The Wine.Talks will take place in Halbturn. You are going to experience exiting wines in a relaxed but entertaining atmosphere. Stay tuned for the latest news at www.artisanwines.at

Jean-Michel Cazes on artisanal wines

2010-03-05T08:19:00.001+01:00

http://www.winespectator.com/video/index/playerid/315932961?bcpid=315932961&bclid=323814015&bctid=1231010998

Some really nice stuff ...

2010-02-02T11:59:00.002+01:00

Had some really nice wines recently but got no time to post them. Here are my favourite 3.

1. Gewürztraminer 2008 from Weingut Lentsch - delicous - €7

pungent pure rose petals and lychée flavors, exotic fruit basket on the nose, quite the same overwhelming fruit flavors on the palate, very good acid structure, dry, lingering aftertaste, the perfect companion for Foie Gras!!

2. Primary Rocks 2008 from Weingut Gschweicher - delicious/extraordinary - about €15

full bright straw yellow, upfront minerality, wet slate and firestone flavors, strong white pepper, intense and multilayered on the nose, white blossoms, keeps changing with more O2, fruit explosion on the palate, lingering with very good acid structure, very young, will last!

3. Riesling Smaragd Achleiten 2008 from Weingut Prager - extraordinary - about €25

bright golden hue, in the beginning quite restrained but opens up with more O2 and several minutes in the glass, peach and peach blossoms, pure minerality on the nose, stonefruits, passion fruit, mulitlayered and complex on the palate, extremely lingering, gets a honeyed touch with even more O2, constantly changing, extract sweetness, one just wants more of this stuff!!

2010-02-01T13:21:00.001+01:00

Wine & Food pairing: nobody can deny that Gewürztraminer and Foie Gras is a match made in heaven!!

2010-01-29T17:01:00.001+01:00

thank god it´s friday ...

New vineyard pics ..

2010-01-25T13:17:00.003+01:00

New vineyard pics are available !!! Have a look at Facebook | Artisan Wines Enjoy!

a bud:

Artisan Wines - Labels

2010-01-21T11:30:00.002+01:00

Finally we got there. The Artisan Wines labels have left the graphic design studio. Actually I am very proud about this new labels as the designer managed to capture all important things.

The Artisan logo is a combination of traditional (the wine leaves) and modern style (font). Puristic by with style.

Most important is the "Step closer to nature - Zero CO2"-footprint. It states that all Artisan wines are carbon free produced. Our production is and will be constantly evaluated.

The footprint is created by a heart shaped leaf, the toes are represented by abstract grapes and a drop of wine creates the heel. This is the symbol of our cohesive relation to the enviromentally friendly way of producing the Artisan wines.

Artisan Wines - Pruning

2010-01-14T19:35:00.003+01:00

Wintertime is pruning time. Pruning is for Artisan Wines a major work during the course of the year. My father (named Franz too ;-)) is our CPO ... the Chief Pruning Officer! He´s got over 50 years experience with our vineyards ... means he´s able to see if something´s wright or wrong with a vine in about a split-second and his decision (which shoots to leave and which to cut back) is a crucial point for the quality for the wine as it´s the first step to decrease bunches and increase grape quality. I´m trying to learn as much as possible every year from my father but one can´t balance 50 years hands-on experience with a Master in viticulture!!

Find more pics @ Facebook | Artisan Wines

Cheers Franz

Artisan Wines interim screen online!

2010-01-12T18:56:00.002+01:00

hey there,

Artisan Wines interim screen is available now !! ... @ artisan wines ... and I love it.

Please let me know what you think about the design.

Cheers Franz

Artisan Wines is born !!

2010-01-07T21:00:00.011+01:00

Dear reader,

I am proud and excited to announce the visual birth of ARTISAN WINES !!

What does ARTISAN mean??

Artisan derives from the latin word "artire". It means "trained or agile in arts! We strongly believe that every winemaker on this world is a kind of artist just for the fact that he is able to turn grapes into wine.

What does this mean for our wines??

An artisanal production is a sustainable, regional!! (our grapes are not sourced from anywhere else) production of wines with great respect for our nature and the environment. Every vintage we try to produce outstanding wines from gorgeous grapes. As each year is different (at least in our region) each wine will be slightly different too.

We care about nature and that´s the reason why we care about our CO2 balance for every bottle in respect of the world wide climate change. Artisan Wines are CO2 free!!

What does this funny green footprint on the labels mean??

The artisanal production is subject of constant evaluation and adaption!!

As we have to produce wine to earn our daily living there is an economic component too ... for instance we can not abandon the use of a tractor or pumps but we can clear the amount of CO2-equivalents produced with donations in the same amount to nature projects in our region. Therefore we have developed the "Step closer to nature - Zero Carbon footprint" which is visible on all our products. ... more information can be found in about no time ;-) @ artisan wines

Who is the driving force behind "Artisan Wines"??

The driving force is ... surprise, surprise ... me ... Franz Schneider!!

Boku-trained Enologist with a Masters in Quality Viticulture and Marketing. I gathered some experience in Austria (at home and the wineries of my 2 sisters - www.weingut-unger.at and www.weingut-lentsch.com), Italy (at Azienda Agricola Luciano Sandrone - www.sandroneluciano.com), in Germany (at research center Geisenheim) and in South Africa (Klein Constantia Estate - www.kleincontantia.com). The best things of all these experiences are integrated in the production of the Artisan Wines.

Without the help of my family nothing would be possible. They are my pillar for everything!!

How many different wines and what kind of wines will be produced??

You will find all about our range @ www.artisanwines.at ... hopefully soon ;-) but I can reveal that there will be 3 different ranges.

- Pure ... fruit forward, easy drinking, varietal wines

- Halbturn ... elegant companions for food or for the fans of wines with a touch of oak.

- The ARTISAN ... our flagship wine, a bold, full bodied red wine

When will the wines hit the shelves??

The expected release date will be around April ... I will keep you up to date!

How do I keep up to date with "Artisan Wines"??

stay tuned for the latest news at Facebook | Artisan Wines or Franz Schneider (FranzSchneider) on Twitter

Where will they be available??
That´s a good question !! As the brand was created recently, time will show how far we´re gonna reach out in the world ;-) One place is for sure ... the online shop @ www.artisanwines.at

I would like to have you asking all the question coming up with this new wines and especially the ones regarding the carbon footprint at franz@artisanwines.at ... or ring through @ +43 699 108 149 30.

There´s also a a big favor I would ask from you ... please spread the word of this new brand and feel my gratitude in eternity ;-)

Cheers Franz

P.S. ... release party is still to come !!! Invitations will be sent via all channels!

Tierhoek

2010-01-05T21:00:00.002+01:00

Nice vid of Roger Burton at Tierhoek/South Africa !!!

Sylvester deligths

2010-01-05T09:24:00.006+01:00

This New Years eve was quite filled with all sorts of very distinctive, regional and pure delights. My sister and brothers in law were our guests and we enjoyed an Irish evening with Whiskey Sours, raw milk cheese, Irish stew, wild smoked salmon and (of course) some Austrian wines.

Check at Facebook/Sylvester delights for some more pics.

Happy New Year 2010

2009-12-31T10:09:00.001+01:00

A Happy New Year 2010 for everybody out there !!!

Press

2009-12-29T11:01:00.003+01:00

It´s always a bit strange if you find yourself on the news ... but funny as well, as people approach you on the street and say "whoo ... I´ve heard about you on the radio!!"

Österreich hat ersten Wein-Diplomingenieur - oesterreich.ORF.at

Frohe Weihnachten/Boun Natale/Merry Christmas

2009-12-25T12:06:00.001+01:00

I would like to wish everybody a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2010 with loads of new exiting wines.

Cheers Franz

Falstaff Winners tasting notes

2009-12-13T13:26:00.001+01:00

I got the opportunity to taste the three Falstaff winners yesterday and with two Blaufränkisch among them one has to note that there is a shift in the trend with high end Austrian red wines. Wine critics and journalists are pushing the common (wine) interest strongly in the Blaufränkisch direction. Arguments like „Austrias red wine profile can only be sharpened with single vartietal wines“ is in someway ridiculous if one thinks just about Bordeaux ... blends all over (with some exceptions). But as the wine media is highly influential on the wine industry in every country there will be more single varietal top wines coming up pretty soon. If that´s all for the better future will show.

Find my tasting notes of the three winner wines and some others below: (all prices count for Wein&Co.)

1.Chablis 2007 from Simonnet-Febvre - ok - €15,99

pale yellow hue, distinctive phenolic compounds covering the fruit completely on the nose, lacks acid backbone, a rather dull and unentertaining wine.

2. Blaufränkisch Reihburg 2007 from Weingut Uwe Schiefer - delicious - €46,45

middle red hue, purple reflections, dark berry fruit, bit underwood, tar-like earthyness, licorice, very good acid and tannin structure, sour cherries, lingering.

3. Blaufränkisch Perwolff 2007 from Weingut Krutzler 2007 - very good/delicious - €52,50

middle red hue with a purple rim, still quite young color, fruitfoward berry flavors on the nose, good structure, quite pronounced acid structure, lingering.

4. Reve de Jeunesse 2007 from Weingut Pöckl - extraordinary - €64,13

deep dark red hue, black core, hints of anisseed, Cassis and chocolate flavors on the nose, smooth but very powerful tannin structure, multilayered, reveals more and more after several hours in the decanter, mocha, dried plums, licorice, extremely lingering. Will greatly improve with further cellaring.

5. Blaufränkisch Spiegel 2007 from Weingut Paul Achs - delicious - €51,08

dark red hue, purple reflections, watery rim, powerfull dark fruit and spices on the nose, chocolate and mocha, smooth tannin structure but with the typical BF acid backbone, lingering, after the same time in the decanter like all other wines flavors fading away - maybe to little free SO2!

Falstaff Winners 2009

2009-12-10T09:22:00.005+01:00

Find the Falstaff winners 2009 at Falstaff-Sieger: Der mit dem Perwolff tanzt | kurier.at

Pinot Noirs all over the world

2009-12-06T21:12:00.000+01:00

Last months tasting club theme was Pinot Noir all over the world. As one can suppose all wines were really gorgeous, well structured and first of all purely elegant.

1. Vosne Rommanée 1er Cru 2004 from Domaine René Engel - delicious - €50

bright brick red with orange reflexions, slightly watery edge, elegant berry fruit, smokey peppery spice, bit licorice on the nose, very spicy on the palate with gorgeous length, very good balance of tannins and acid, gets better and better with more O2, lingering and multilayered.

2. Pinot Noir 2004 from Quartz Reef - very good - €37

bit darker brick red as 1, hints of cassis, fruit forward style, spices on the nose, fresh fruity and good acid structure on the palate, bit strawberry, good length, forrest fruits, raspberry, with more O2 the wine lingers more and more on the palate, nice complexity of tannin and acid structure.

3. Pinot Noir "P" from Weinhof Fritsch 2002 - very good - €24

smooth flavors, spices but not overly prominent, very good balance and length, fruit forward palate, very smooth on the palate.

4. Pinot Noir Hirsch Vineyard Sonoma 2002 from Littorai - (very good) - €78

bright red, orange-brownish reflexions, small watery rim, bit short, maybe a cork taint ... cork taint verified by the other tasters.

5. Großkarlbacher Burgweg Spätburgunder 2001 from Weingut Knipser - very good/delicious - €25

very light red with orange-brown shades, very spicy and super typical Pinot perfume, extremely good structural balance of tannins and acid, forest fruits, bit underwood, very good length and loads of spices on the palate.

6. Pinot Noir Grand Select 2004 from Weingut Wieninger - delicious/extraordinary - €37

fair crimson color with changeable purple-orange reflexions, super fruity, black and raspberries, loads of spices, wet forest floor, black pepper and licorice, just traceable hints of aniseed, extremely well balanced, genius length. (my favorite!!)

MondoVino 2009

2009-12-01T14:05:00.015+01:00

This years MondoVino, hosted by Wein&Co in the gorgeous ambience of the Hofburg, was again a melting pot for wines from all over the world. As one could taste up to 2000 different wines, bubblies and some harder stuff a careful upfront decision was necessary. My choice was Italy and France as I get the chance to taste Austrian wines more regularly. Find enclosed my tasting notes.

Note: All wines were tasted open and all price information counts for Wein&Co.

Argentina

Winery Salentein/Mendoza

1. Callia Magna Tannat 2007 - good - €9,99

dark, bold and structured, spent six month in partly new and used barriques.

2. Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2005 - good - €12,99

very fruitforward appealing style, smooth tannin, good balanced.

3. Malbec Reverve 2006 - good - €12,99

fruitforward and spicy, bit meaty and some green flavors on midpalate.

France

Chateau Angelus

4. Fleur de Boüard 2007 - very good - €27,90

80%ME, rest CS/CF, fruity, very structured, still young, with prominent tannins, lingering.

5. Angelus 2007 - delicious - €169,90

62%ME, 38%CF, fruitforward, with super soft tannin structure, loads of spices on the palate, lingering.

Chateau Palmer

6. Alter Ego 2007 - good/very good - €39,90

fruity, bit green, but very good structure and balance, lingering.

7. Palmer 2007 - very good - €169,90

restrained fruit with green hints, super soft tannin structure, lingering.

Chateau Branne Cantenac

8. Baron de Branne 2007 - good - €19,99

fruitforward, sour cherries, but a bit one dimensional.

9. Branne Cantenac 2007 - good/very good - €39,99

fruitforward style, forest fruits, complex, very balanced with RS.

Chateau Canon la Gaffeliere

10. Clos de l´Oratoire 2007 - very good - €29,99

fruity, spicy, bit meaty, super soft tannin structure, lingering.

11. Canon La Gaffeliere 2007 - good - €64,90

traces of Brett, spicy and soft tannins, bit alcoholic finish.

Chateau Giscours

12. Sirène de Giscours 2007 - very good - €19,99

fruitforward, very good tannin structure, CS driven on the palate, lingering.

13. Giscours 2007 - very good/delicious - €44,90

CS driven fruit, oak and spices, still very young, very structured, lingering, will massively improve with further aging.

Chateau Pichon Longueville

14. Les Tourelles de Pichon Longueville 2007 - still ok - €34,90

strong traces of Brett, restrained, lean body.

15. Pichon Baron 2007 - very good/delicious - €89,90

pure mocha flavors, very distinctive on the palate, very structured, super lingering.

Chateau Phélan Segur

16. Frank Phélan 2006 - corc - €19,99

Actually I claimed this bottle as corc tainted but was refused to get another sip from a second bottle. Very rude!!

17. Phélan Segur 2007 - very good - €31,90

coffee and mocha flavors dominating on the nose, cigar-box, some green hints, smooth tannins, good length.

Italy

La Valentina

18. Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2007 - ok - €9,99

quite reductive, but it blows of after a while, fruity, very soft tannin structure, bit alcoholic.

19. Montepuciano d'Abruzzo Spelt 2007 - ok - €18,99

overripe fruit, hints of Brett, very balanced with RS.

Conte Brandolini

20. Pinot Grigio 2008 - good - €9,99

bit rustic and some phenolic traces on the palate, lemon fruit, fresh finish.

21. Friulano 2008 - ok - €9,99

rather neutral on the nose, lean and short on the palate.

22. Merlot Vistorta - ok - €21,90

spicy and a bit vegetal, jammy (strangely enough as vegetal is more underripe and jammy overripe fruit??) acetone detectable, hints of Brett, overoaked.

Dorigo

23. Pinot Grigio 2008 - good - €12,99

restrained fruit, bit rustic and phenolic, good fruit on the palate, good length.

24. Ribolla Gialla 2008 - good - €12,99

fresh and fruity (like our Sämling), good length but lack acid structure.

Revello

25. Dolcetto 2008 - good - €12,99

super fruity, pure red currant, easy drinking.

26. Barbera 2008 - very good - €13,99

fruity, spicy, sour cherries on the palate, good acid-tannin balance.

27. Barolo 2005 - very good - €36,90

tar, quite typical on the nose, very good tannin structure, lingering.

28. Barolo Conca 2005 - very good/delicious - €59,90

tar and roses, very good balanced, quite modern style, super lingering.

Planeta

29. Rosé 2008 - good - €9,99

100% SY, strawberries on the nose, slightly phenolic, good balanced with RS.

30. Chardonnay 2008 - good - €27,99

100% new oak, biscuit and vanilla, bold wine, very smooth.

31. La Segreta Rosso 2008 - good - €9,99

unwooded, Nero d´Avola, CF, ME, SY, fruit forward style, spicy, smooth tannin structure, good.

32. Syrah 2006 - very good - €27,99

pure black berries, super spicy, eucalyptus flavors, very good length, just a slightly alcoholic finish prevents a higher rating.

33. Santa Cecilia - very good - €27,99

spices with dried fruits on the nose, very good balance between acid and tannins.

Alois Lageder

34. Pinot Grigio Riff 2008 - ok/good - €9,99

perfumed nose, spicy, rustic, rather phenolic on the palate.

35. Pinot Bianco - ok/good - €12,99

fruity, pears on the nose, like 34. quite phenolic on the palate.

36. Chardonnay-Pinot Grigio - ok - €19,99

certified biodynamic, rustic, phenolic palate, quite an unpleasant wine.

37. Lagrein Alto Adige - ok - €16,99

slightly reductive, bright purple color, sour cherries, bit lactic.

Barone Ricasoli

38. Chianti 2007 - ok/good - €9,99

rather simple, balanced with RS, bit inharmonic with acid structure.

39. Chianti Classico Riserva "Rocca Guicciardia" 2006 - good - €19,99

restrained nose, good acid-tannin structure, good length.

40. Campo Ceni 2007 - good - €12,99

6 month in oak, fruity, good tannin structure, good length.

41. Brolio Chianti Classico 2007 - very good - €16,99

fruity and complex on the nose, good tannin structure, 9 months in second filled barrels, lingering.

42. Castello di Brolio 2005 - very good - €34,90

very spicy on the nose, good balance between acid and tannin structure, good length, still young.

Tenuta di Biserno

43. Insoglio 2007 - good/very good - €19,99

fresh´n fruity on the nose, sour cherries, very smooth tannin structure, good length.

44. Il Pino di Biserno - very good - €44,99

CS fruit dominating, hints of green flavors, soft tannins, slightly bitter finish.

45. Biserno 2006 - delicious - €99

CF/ME, 15 month oak, puristic Cabernet Franc flavors on the nose, bit restrained, still very young, super dense on the palate, very good tannin structure, extremely lingering, smooth.

Casa Brancaia

46. Tre 2007 - good - €13,99

fresh and fruity on the nose, quite a good acid structure, good length.

47. Chianti Classico DOCG 2006 - good/very good - €24,99

16 months oak, 50 % new, a typical Chianti, rather smooth tannins, good length.

48. Ilatraia 2006 - very good - €44,99

bold, structured wine, soft tannins, good length.

49. Il Blu 2006 - very good - €47,99

20 months oak, 2/3 new, very structured but good balanced, lingering.

Antinori

50. Marchese Chianti Classico Riserva 2005 - yech - €24,99

overripe, Brett, Brett yeast have totally distorted this wine, inharmonic.

51. Brunello Pian delle Vigne 2004 - yech - €49,90

super Brett and RS, nothing else.

52. Tignanello 2006 - very good/delicious - €59,90

bit restrained, (but the bottle was just opened this moment), super tannin structure, very good length, bit plasticine.

Quercecchio

53. Brunello 2004 - very good - €32,90

fruity, good acid structure, super tannins, very typical.

Sori del Gibbellino

54. Barolo 2004 - good/very good - €23,90

bit restrained fruit, tar and roses, quite typicla, super soft Barolo.

Speri

55. Valpolicella Classico 2008 - good/very good - €9,99

super fruity, green edge on the palate, easy drinking.

56. Ripasso Valpolicella 2007 - very good - €19,99

fruity, super soft tannin structure with good acid backbone, good length.

57. Amarone die Valpolicella - good/very good - €49,90

fruity, bit overripe, but typical, slightly alcoholic finish.

Allegrini

58. Valpolicella Classico 2008 - good/very good - €12,99

fruity, smooth tannin structure, good length, slightest hints of Brett.

59. Palazzo de la Torre 2006 - ok/good - €19,99

jammy, bit overripe flavors, dried grapes, 15 months oak, again this hints Brett.

60. Amarone DOC 2005 - ok - €57,90

eucalyptus, overripe flavors, super soft tannins, RS, alcoholic finish (15%abv!!)

61. Soave 2008 - ok - €9,99

ripe yellow apples, bit exotic, rather high in color, lacks some acid structure, bit phenolic on the palate.

62. Valpolicella Pagus from Corte Giara 2008 - good/very good - €6,99

sour cherries and spices, smooth tannin structure, good length, easy drinking.

Pizza and Barbera

2009-11-18T19:36:00.003+01:00

Tonight we tested once more the pairing ability of Italian wines and Italian food. Home-made pizza (Mozzarella cheese, anchovies, capers, herbs ... quite a difficult one to pair) and Elio Altare´s Barbera d´Alba 2008 was our favorite wine/food pairing.

Barbera d´Alba 2008 from viticoltore Elio Altare - good - €17,50 (Pub Klemo)

fairly purple red, cherries and sour cherries, black pepper on the nose, good acid structure, fruit forward on the palate, refreshing, nice typical Barbera style.

Celebration times ..

2009-11-05T22:46:00.004+01:00

Today was a rather important day in my life. As the first student in Austria I´ve finished my Masters in Quality Viticulture and Marketing. My family and some friends celebrated this day with good food and even better wines. In this post I want to reward the most impressive wine of the day and I am glad and thankful it´s an Austrian!! (Let it be foreigner ... insider joke!!)

Sauvignon Blanc "Reipersberg" 2008 from Weingut Gschweicher - delicious

lychee pure on the nose, mango and passion fruit, ripe peaches, exotic fruit basket, bell pepper, hints of freshly grounded white pepper, multilayered and complex, very good and integrated acid structure, all flavors are mirrored on the palate, lingering, very gorgeous SB.

Stunning Traminers ...

2009-11-01T18:35:00.002+01:00

Today we´ve tasted some really rare and highly rewarded Traminers. Traminer or Gewürztraminer is an astonishing variety as the wines show almost always a very prominent perfume of Rose petals, lychee, aniseed, minerality (depending on the soil grown), a bunch of exotic flavors and so on. Traminers are very versatile in style ... dry, off dry and even sweet ... always perfect companions to goose liver, spicy Asian food, noodles and not to forget Christmas delights. Find below my tasting notes of some really great wines.

1. Gewürztraminer 2008 from Weingut Lentsch (dry) - very good/delicious - €7,00

yellow gold, CO2 still visible, exploding fruit on the nose, Rose petals and lychee, very typical in style, dry on the palate, could do with more residual sugar, potential, as wine on it´s own a perfect Traminer.

2. Gewürztraminer "Wielitsch" 2008 from Weingut Tement (dry) - ok/good - €22,98 (Wein&Co)

golden yellow hue, hints of Rose petals, quite restrained on the nose, little bit of oak detectable but nicely integrated, dried apples and cinnamon, balanced but with good acid backbone, doesn´t show much fruit on the palate and bit short.

3. Traminer "von den alten Reben" 2006 form Weingut Schellmann (not stated - even when it´s not legal in Autria if the wine is a quality wine but !! ) - delicious - €27

golden hue, overwhelming perfume of roses, lychee, gingerbread and cinnamon, a touch of botrytis, powerful and sweet on the palate, lingering, extreme in every way, a wine not for a usual day. (extremely heavy bottle - 905g!!)

4. Muskat Ottonel 2008 from Weingut Pillinger 2008 (off dry) - ok/good - €3,40

This one was the pirate - as Muskat definitely a nice wine but in comparison to these bold Traminers ...

musky, not really fruit forward, a little bit harsh on the palate but in an easy-drinking style, simple good.

5. Traminer 07/08 from Rotes Haus am Nussberg (off dry) - good - about €20 (don´t remember exactly)

golden hue, hints of Rose petals, exotic but not exiting, rather flat on the palate with an aloholic finish.

6. Gewürztraminer "Spätlese" 2008 from Weingut Lentsch (sweet) - very good - €5,50

golden hue, powerful flavor, rose petals and lychee, dried fruits (dates and figs), nice sugar and acid balance, lingering.

Red wines from Spain ...

2009-10-21T09:49:00.002+02:00

A recent tasting of red wines from spain showed us clearly that branding doesn´t really help if one tasted blind! Variety or even the country of origin can be insurmountable obstacles. On the other hand ... if one has to taste red wine without any hint, the wine could be from anywhere in the world and the line up of the wines had great influence too.

Our conclusion was that new technologies in the vineyards and the cellar are definitely improving the quality of wine, but they are also masking the origin (even more so if the winemaker has a modern style of winemaking). Anyway the wines were great and again we had to acknowledge the most memorable saying from our sensory classes: "I would have never thought that!!"

1. Tempranillo 2007, Vino de la tierra de Castilla from Ercavio - good - €9,99 (Wein&Co)

middle deep hue with purple rim, fresh and fruitforward on the nose, spicy, black pepper and a bit of dried fruit, soft tannins and a fruitdriven palate, bit short.

2. DO Bierzo (Mencia) 2007 from Pétalos - good/very good - €19,99 (Wein&Co)

deep ruby red, still purple, oaky touch (american oak??), vanilla and dark berries, integrated tannins, good length, pleasantly bitter finish.

3. Rioja Reserva 2004 from Conde de Valdemar - good/very good - €14,99 (Wein&Co)

purple core with slightly orange rim, spicy peppery fruit with hints of berries, bit dried fruits too, bit acetone, prominent tannin and acid structure, good length, rather lean, with more air a leathery touch appears.

4. Clos Mogador 2006 (Garnacha, Carinena) DO Priorat - very good - €79 (Wein&Co)

very youthful color, very dense hue, purple, fruitforward, meaty hints, very soft tannin but structured, velvety, good balanced, berry jam, licorice, extract sweet.

5. Uno DO Valencia 2006 (Monastrell) from Rafael Cambra - very good - €19,99 (Wein&Co)

dark hue, purple- youthful, slight watery edge, very fruitforward, eucalypt, dark berries, pleasant "green" touch, good tannin structure, very good length, ripe juicy tannins, New World style.

6. Tempranillo Reserva de la familia 2007 vino de la tierra de Castilla from Finca Munoz - very good - €5,99 (Rewe)

dark hue, purple core, slight orange rim, beery jam, somewhat dusty, very fruitforward on the palate, ethereal .. high alc., good tannin structure.

7. Tempranillo Cepas Viejas 2007 vino de la tierra from Finca Munoz - very good - €13,99 (Rewe)

dark brick red, fruity-dusty, cherries, bit acetone, prominent tannin structure, bit alcoholic, very good length.

Sulphur to blame ..

2009-10-05T10:07:00.002+02:00

I found this interesting article in the South African Wine Mag.

A look at sulphur in wine

Published: 02 Sep 09

Mixed blessings

Sulphites in wine are an essential part of the winemaking process. Increasingly, however, they are being blamed for causing adverse reactions in wine drinkers. Jeanri-Tine van Zyl investigates.

Using sulphur to preserve and prevent spoilage is not a modern trend. The Oxford Companion to Wine (OUP, 2006) notes that the mention of sulphur (referred to as brimstone) dates back to Biblical times - in the first book, Genesis, it is used in an act of doom on Sodom and Gomorrah. But the ancient peoples quickly realised that God's weapon could also be put to beneficial use - of which the preservation of perishables, such as wine, emerged as a most important discovery: "The operation of fumigating wine with sulphur is performed by kindling rags of linen dipped in melted brimstone, and suffering the steam to enter a cask filled... with that liquor," notes Beckmann and Johnston et al. in A History of Inventions and Discoveries (1846) on the use of sulphur dating back to Roman times.

In fact, the addition of sulphites in the preservation of solids and fluids has been so effective that their use is yet to be bettered in the modern wine trade. However, this longstanding method of preservation is now being challenged by the increasingly health conscious consumer, a new generation who are taking note of the additives in products and their effects. Points of concern are the impact of sulphites on those suffering from allergies, or sulphite intolerance, on the one hand, and the effect of sulphites on your state of being the morning after, with many tipplers questioning the role this additive plays in their hangovers.

A contentious issue

Delving into the subject proves to be contentious - a winemaker, who wishes to remain anonymous, admitted to it "not being good for you" but then quickly noting that sulphite levels in dried fruit, amongst other consumables, are much higher than those found in most wines. Sulphites do present a level of toxicity - but most of us are not particularly sensitive to its use in small concentrations and the adverse effects associated with such compounds can primarily be linked to those suffering from allergies, or asthma.

In contemplating the issue, it's important to be clear that there is no such thing as a sulphur-free wine as sulphur naturally forms during fermentation. Used as an anti-oxidant and anti-septic, extra sulphur can be added to freshly picked grapes in the form of metabisulphite (which is also found in other consumables such as fruit juices and dried fruit) at the beginning of the production cycle, but sulphur levels are also adjusted during production. The reason for this is twofold. Free sulphur reacts with oxygen to prevent the oxidation of wine, keeping it fresh and preventing browning, while bound sulphur in wine inhibits the growth of unwanted microorganisms, acting as a disinfectant.

Gains and losses

But how to address the consumer anxieties without it having a negative impact on wine? Neil Patterson, cellarmaster at Franschhoek wine farm L'Omarins is keen to explore alternatives. Though he admits he's on unchartered territory scientifically, he questions sulphur as the sole protector of wine, and is a proponent for no-addedsulphur wines. A sufferer of sulphite intolerance himself, Patterson relates how the area around his eyes turns into a red rash when he drinks a wine high in sulphur content. "I'll look like a panda," he says in explaining why he stands personally to benefit from producing wines that are generally lower in sulphur content. Last year, Patterson experimented with making a no-added-sulphur Chardonnay, aided by new purification technology Surepure.

This invention, in lay terms, makes use of UV radiation to inactivate microbes that can lead to wine spoilage. But although this can reduce the bound sulphur component, enough free sulphur would still be needed to prevent oxidation. "Oxidation remains a problem," notes John Loubser from top Constantia winery Steenberg, where the Surepure technology has also been tested.

This is reiterated by Jeff Grier from Villiera in Stellenbosch, where a no-sulphur added Cap Classique, Brut Natural, is produced. "The main problem happens at bottling, when wine is exposed to oxygen - Surepure doesn't really help with that." In the end you can produce a wine with no added sulphites, but the maturation period will be shortened, says Grier.

But given that the vast majority of wine is consumed within days, if not hours, of purchase is that really a problem? Producing wine without added sulphur is a fraught exercise, as no-added sulphur wines can be highly volatile. "We did research on producing a no-added sulphur Chenin Blanc, it tasted great in the tank and the day of bottling, but two weeks after bottling the wine goes darker and looses fruit," says Grier. Also, wines which haven't been subjected to added sulphur will react to oxygen quicker once opened and should therefore not be subjected to "airing practices" such as decanting, for example.

A QUESTION OF AGE
On the point of maturation, Patterson admits to playing it "safe" with L'Omarins' first no-added- sulphur wine to be released being a Rosé in the farm's new Protea range - as no-one buys a Rosé to cellar. While Grier is not convinced that there is a sure-fire way to cut out the use of sulphur without hampering aging, he thinks that the pressure coming from consumers for lower-sulphur wines has some benefits. When a winemaker produces a lowersulphur wine, he needs to be more aware of practices that might introduce harmful components to the wine. As Grier says, "if you know you can't just fix any problem by adding sulphur, then you become more mindful of your winemaking techniques." Clean cellars, healthy fruit and hands-on production are key.

"Good housekeeping becomes of utmost importance," echoes Patterson. And without revealing names, he alludes to this being difficult to achieve at certain mass-production plants where large volumes make it difficult to keep an eye on "triggers" that might cause need for added sulphur - such as ullage in tanks that can cause oxidation if not treated with additives.

But apart from putting emphasis on more diligent winemaking practices, Grier adds that more naturally produced wines retain more original flavour, and as grapes for lower-sulphur wines are often picked at lower pH levels, chances are that these wines will also be lower in alcohol - which is advantageous given the backlash that high alcohol wines are increasingly attracting. The bottom line, however, is that lowersulphur wines are going to be shorter lived.

Does this introduce a conflict between the average consumer who wants a wine to go with his TV dinner tonight and the serious collector? No, says Grier. Château Petrus is not going to change its recipe to suit the market whims for example, but lower sulphur wines are going to become a big issue. Says Patterson: "Some might say lowsulphur wines are a trend or a fad, but I believe it is the start of the future".

What to drink?

There is no clear recipe to follow. White wines usually have higher doses of sulphur dioxide, with Sauvignon Blanc, especially those with green pepper nuances, being notorious for this additive.

Red wines and bubbly are known to have lower amounts whilst Noble Late Harvest contain very high doses of sulphur dioxide. It has become compulsory in both South Africa and the European Union for wine labels to contain the wording "contains sulphites" or "contains sulphur dioxide" for wines that contain more than 10 milligrams per litre of SO..

The maximum amount of added sulphur is 160 mg/. in normal wines and up to 300 mg/. in NLH wines. Unfortunately law does not dictate exact amounts be printed on labels.

Are you allergic to sulphites?

Consumers should make a clear distinction between headaches and hangovers. If you are sensitive to sulphur, a headache is most likely to be triggered within hours of consumption, whilst a hangover is only felt the following day. Alcohol, causing dehydration, rather than sulphites, are the cause of hangovers. According to Dr Harris Steinman from the Allergy Society of South Africa, most common indications that you might be suffering from sulphur allergies include coughing, followed by shortness of breath, wheezing and a tight chest. Some consumers may experience a runny nose and, uncommonly, a rash. Dr Steinman also notes that asthma sufferers are particularly sensitive to added sulphites and should therefore be aware of consumables that contain sulphur dioxide such as wine, dried fruit, fruit juices and so forth.

A sulphur trigger should also not be confused with allergies to other compounds found in wine. Many individuals are also affected by histamine in wines. "Some individuals, and up to 45% of Asian individuals, cannot metabolise the alcohol and therefore will become sick on drinking wine, which is an enzymatic problem," says Dr Steinman, adding that few individuals may actually be allergic to alcohol. The degree of reactions may also vary as those caused by an enzyme problem can be dose-related: "It is possible that an individual's reaction will vary, for example, if he or she ate something containing sulphites that used up some of the enzyme, then drinks wine before the enzyme is replenished, then he or she could have a reaction at a lower dose than usual."

Resource: winemag.co.za

New pics ...

2009-09-20T09:37:00.000+02:00

Due to the easier upload features find new pics of our harvest at Facebook | Your Photos - Weinlese/Harvest/Vendemmia 2009

stress ...

2009-09-01T16:28:00.002+02:00

Due to our harvest preparations I was not able to write another post. But tomorrow is our harvest start 2009 with beautiful ripe (and most important healthy) St. Laurent grapes. I will keep you up to date with the harvest in Burgenland and will take some nice pics too.

In the mean time I have tasted some interesting wines.

1. Grüner Sylvaner "Ried Kögl" 2008 from winery Hofbauer-Schmidt - good/very good

bright yellow hue, fresh and fruitforward, bit spicy, lemon, lime flavors, hints of grapefruit and stone fruits, good acid structure, but rather short palate, flinty texture, good balanced.

2. Riesling Smaragd "Terrassen" 2008 from winery Domäne Wachau - very good

yellow hue with green reflections, pure stonefruit, peaches and apriocots on the nose, bit loessig with good acid structure, exotic fruit bunch on the palate, sugar melon and again apricots.

3. Grüner Veltliner "Grub" 2007 from winery Schloss Gobelsburg - delicious

golden yellow hue with green reflections, tobacco, bit smokey, melon and some more exotic fruits on the nose, caramel and butterscotch, bit spicy, oak perfectly integrated (maybe big barrels), quinces, good mouthfeeling, lingering.

Cabernet Sauvignon Österreich

2009-08-14T09:27:00.002+02:00

To stick with the tasted wines from our holiday, here some tasting notes from Austrian Cab´s.

1. CS 2006 from winery Bauer-Pöltl - good/very good

fruity with hints of cassis, still purple, soft tannin structure, but a bit high in alcohol, lingering.

2. CS 2003 from winery Kollwentz - very good

matured hue with orange rim, still fruity, red berries, soft tannin (due to hot year), but very good balanced.

3. CS 2006 from winery Netzl - very good/delicious

at the beginning bit restrained on the nose but opens up beautifully with more O2, nearly opaque core, very typical, cassis falvors, bit minty, eucalyptus, very good tannin stucture, lingering.

4. CS 2005 from winery Prieler - good

like dusty, red berries, some harsh green tannins due to bad year 05, slightly bitter on the finish, lingering.

5. CS 2000 from winery Kollwentz - good

meaty and very ripe, slight acetone flavors, bit turbid, good extract, lingering but on the edge of oxidation, becomes more aldehydic with O2.

6. CS 2006 from winery Sorger/Trausdorf - very good

quite fruit forward style, bit smokey, good acid and tannin structure, lingering.

The tasting notes from Bordeaux

2009-07-30T19:32:00.005+02:00

The two days we have visited four Chateaux and tasted some of the best wines in Bordeaux.

Find in this post my tasting notes.

Chateau Pichon Longueville Baron

1. Les Tourelles de Longueville 2008 - good/very good

still purple colored, distinctive, structured, nice berry fruit, typical CS character.

(65% ME, 25% CS, 15% CF, pH 3.7, acid 3.44, 13,36 alc.)

2. Pichon 2008 - delicious

still purple, oak, very structured, very ripe smooth tannin, velvety, lingering, covers the palate.

(71% CS, 29% ME)

3. Pichon 2007 - very good/delicious

minty, eucalyptus with underlying meat flavors, very stuctured,, complex and lingering.

(74% CS, 26% ME, pH 3.84, acid 3.44, 13.12 alc.)

4. Pichon 2004 - delicious

sediment visible (but wine is filtered before bottling), orange rim, soft ripe tannin structure, dark berry mix on the nose with hint of cool flavors, lingering.

(65% CS, 30% ME, 5% CF, pH 3.7, acid 3.8, 13.3 alc.)

Cos d´Estournel

5. Pagodes de Cos 2008 - good/very good

eucalypt and hints of mint, still purple, structured with some green hints, bit abrupt finish.

6. Cos 2008 - extraordinary

purple hue, fruity berry nose, still very young, very structured but elegant, nice ripe tannins, extremely lingering, will improve with age.

7. Cos 2004 - delicious

ruby red color, very structured with ripe tannins, perfectly matured, very lingering.

8. Cos 2005 - extraordinary

fruity, Cassis, berries, super soft velvety tannins, very elegant, complex, multilayered, mouth filling and lingering. Just stunning!!

Chateau Grand Barrail Lamarzelle Figeac

9. Dourthe No.1 Sauvignon Blanc 2008 - good/very good

very reductive, some green hints, bell pepper and exotic fruits, good balance.

10. Grand Barrail 2005 - good

meaty, signs of overripeness, soft tannin structure, good length but a bit alcoholic on the finish.

Chateau Mouton Rothschild

11. Chateau d´Armailhac 2008 - very good

purple hue, CS typical fruit, some green hints, spicy, mocha, very structured, very young.

(54% CS, 29% ME, 15% CF, 2% PV, 25% new oak)

12. Chateau Clerc Milon 2008 - very good/delicious

color dense, purple hue, Cassis, berry fruit, spicy, very structured but soft tannins, lingering.

(42% CS, 40% ME, 16% CF, 2% PV)

13. Chateau Mouton Rothschild 2008 - extraordinary

extremely color dense, purple hue, oak prominent, vanilla, mocha, coffee, very structured but soft ripe tannin, very young, extremely lingering. Blockbuster wine!

(83% CS, 17% ME, pH 3,7 - 3,8, 13.2 alc. 100% new oak, 140€ en primeur for 2008)

As we spent nearly all our money to taste and buy wine, we had to cut our expenses on food. With our room picnics we had ...

14. Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte - delicious

very color dense, mocha and chocolate on the nose, oak still prominent, very structured, complex and lingering.

Just some pics ...

2009-07-29T20:35:00.004+02:00

Just some pics from today. Tasting notes will be published tomorrow.

Enjoy!

In the vineyards of Pichon Baron:

Tasting some Cru Classe wines:

A perfect lunch:

Cos d´Estournel:

the new cellar at Cos:

Wine Bars in Paris and Arcachon!

2009-07-28T21:19:00.004+02:00

We´ve spent our last day in Paris, beside buying kitchen stuff in the extraordinary Chef shop "Dehillerin", in the Marais quarter. This old Jewish quarter is full with life and loads of small shops selling all different kind of things.

Lunch at Le Rubis: this is maybe the oldest wine bar in Paris ... at least it seems so. It looks like the time has come to a halt some 50 years ago. The plat du jour was warm sausage with lentils ... the wright food for men! The wine (Sancerre and Cotes du Rhone) was simple but a good choice for this kind of meal.

The other wine bar of this day was Willi´s. Ways different to Rubis but also nice. Good stemware, friendly and knowledgeable waiters and some glasses of Riesling, Bandon and Rhone wine closed a nearly perfect day (it was raining for some 30 minutes).

The TGV brought us in about 3 hours to Bordeaux and we spent the afternoon at the Dune du Pyla. Nothing has changed since my last visit ... still incredible and to celebrate the day we had "Glüh-" Champagne.

Enjoy the pics!

Le Rubis:

Willi´s:

Franz at Willi´s:

Glüh-Champagne:

Dune du Pyla at the Bassin d´Arcachon:

Eiffel tower and Montmartre

2009-07-26T21:12:00.004+02:00

Today we spent most of our time with sightseeing. The Eiffel tower is maybe the most fascinating building in Paris ... at least the queues are by far the longest!! We took the challenge with the stairs because we didn´t want to wait 45 min.

Afterwards a quick lunch at a nice Cafe in Montmartre with Crepe Provencal and a nice white wine from the Loire.

The afternoon was filled with the Tour de France ... I saw Alberto winning!

Eiffel tower 1:

Eiffel tower 2:

Sacré Coeur:

Notre Dame

2009-07-26T08:29:00.005+02:00

Merde ... Pappiles fully booked and to my greatest astonishment ... it was not possible to get a glass of wine. Wine is just served with food ... and food of course is just served if one has a table. Strange!!

We decided to try our luck with another wine bar "Le Coude Fou" and we were lucky! On our way to this next bar we visited the "Jardin du Luxembourg" and the "Notre Dame". Both are quite impressive.

For dinner we had some nice wines (Corsica and Alsace) and the food in the wine bar was excellent too!

Notre Dame:

Jardin du Luxembourg:

Monkfish and chicken:

Paris

2009-07-25T16:21:00.004+02:00

Today is our first day in Paris. After a rather short and unspectacular flight with Air France we had a quick lunch at Chez Prosper ... just around the corner of our hotel.

Now we are heading to downtown ... sightseeing .. what else!

salad "Provence" of course with a glass of Rosé:

dessert "Tiramisu":

Pannobile 2009

2009-07-16T19:55:00.004+02:00

As I was rather busy with my last exams at University I was quite lazy with my posts. Anyway, please find here my tasting notes from the annual Pannobile presentation in Vienna. Unfortunately I reveived the invitation about 2 hours before the tasting started and therefore I don´t had the chance to taste all wines.

Winery Judith Beck

1. Zweigelt 2008 - ok/good

young, bit MLF flavors, soft tannin structure, rather simple.

2. St. Laurent Schafleiten 2007 - very good

fruity and spicy, still young, straightforward wine maybe a bit rustic, soft tannin structure, nice oak used.

3. Pannobile Rot 2007 - good

red berries, maybe a touch of Brett (future will show!)

4. Judith 2007 - very good

Anisseed, cool aromatics, bit mushroom and underwood, good tannin structure, balanced and polished.

Winery Gernot Heinrich

5. St. Laurent 2007 - very good

sour cherry, underwood, pleasantly bitter, soft tannin structure, lingering.

6. Pinot Noir 2007 - very good

color and fruit very typical, soft tannin structure, balanced, lingering.

7. Pannobile Rot 2007 - very good/delicious

still young, purple hue, spicy, very good acid and tannin structure, lingering.

8. Blaufränkisch Alter Berg 2007 - very good

cherries and sour cherries, very spicy, still youthful, prominent acid structure, good varietal typicity.

Winery Hans Nittnaus

9. Blaufränkisch Kalk & Schiefer 2007 - good

peat bog, underwood, good acid and tannin structure, distinctive.

10. Heideboden Rot 2007 - good

cherries, soft tannin but alc on the midpalate.

11. Pannobile Rot 2007 - very good

Anissseed, very well integrated oak, good acid and tannin structure.

12. Leithaberg Rot 2007 - very good/delicious

spicy and minerally, very good tannin structure, lingering.

13. Comondor 2006 - good/very good

meaty, spicy and underwood, peat bog, good tannin structure.

Winery Claus Preisinger

14. Pinot Noir 2007 - good

typical Pinot fruit, very soft tannin, alc on the finish.

15. Pannobile Rot 2007 - very good

fruity, still young, very soft tannin but well structured, lingering.

16. Paradigma - very good

very spicy, distinctive and idiosyncratic, cool aroma profile, very stuctured, lingering.

Winery Helmut Renner

17. St. Laurent Alter Weingarten 2007 - good

fruity, sour cherries, soft tanin structure, bit alcoholic finish.

18. Pannobile Rot 2007 - very good

still young, purple color, spicy, very soft tannin, balanced, lingering.

The hot "SALON 2009"

2009-07-02T11:59:00.005+02:00

Yesterday I attended the annual presentation of the "SALON Österreich Wein" wines hosted by the Austrian Wine Marketing Board in the Grand Casino Baden.

It was hot !!! and that means really hot ... lots of interested people, no AC and about 30 degrees outside temp are definitely not the best conditions for a wine tasting.

A proper judgement of a wine was not possible as one was pushed around by thirsty crowds ... little girlies (I suppose young sommeliers from a school) were totally stressed and overstrained with pouring wines to some 400 people and to make it worse ... just every third of them was in possession of a corksrew ... people were really angry and so was I. I left just after 1 hour!!

resume: more corkscrews to the world ;-) ... and ways more effort with the organisation, because the 260 best wines of Austria and their makers really deserve a better presentation!!

Boku Heim midweek tasting

2009-06-24T13:47:00.003+02:00

This weeks tasting included 2 wines with awards ...

1. Urgesteinsriesling "Reipersberg" 2008 from Weingut Gschweicher - very good/delicious - €9,50

pale yellow hue, fruit forward style, peaches and apricot, shows very good underlying minerality on the nose, racy acid structure, lingering, very typical. (SALON 2009)

2. Wiener Gemischter Satz "Nussberg" 2008 from Weingut Zahel - very good/delicious - €11,50 (CH,PB,PG)

bright golden hue, exotic fruit basket, bourbon vanilla, hints of lychée, oak?? (maybe big barrels) but perfectly integrated, mellow style with good acid backbone, very balanced, lingering. (Wiener Landessieger 2009)

-- I actually guessed Pinot Gris ... not to bad ;-)

as exams award ..

2009-06-19T19:09:00.006+02:00

Exams weeks at Boku ... we just rewarded us with ...

1. Gelber Muskateller "Kroissberg" 2008 from Weingut Zahel - very good

fresh, very fruitforward, musky, lemon, lime flavors, green apples, very good acid structure, nice fruit on the palate, quite lean, lingering, refreshing summer wine, nice low in alcohol (11.5 %abv), opens up with more O2.

Boku Heim midweek tasting

2009-06-16T15:27:00.005+02:00

Another week done at University and again we´ve tasted some interesting wines.

1. Grüner Veltliner 2006 from Weingut Loimer - very good

minerally, ripe peach aromas on the nose, good acid structure, nicely matured.

2. Merlot "Galilée" 2000 from winery Yarden - good/very good (Israel)

very ripe, plums, bit hot, velvety texture, soft ripe tannins, good length, alc detectable on midpalate.

3. Sauvignon Blanc 2008 from Weingut Gschweicher - very good/delicious

still CO2 visible, pale yellow, pure gooseberry and lychée flavors, very good acid structure and perfectly balanced, multilayered, tobacco.

4. Gewürztraminer 2008 from Weingut Lentsch - very good/delicous

pure rose petals and lychée flavors, good acid structure, lingering, improves vastly with more O2, distinctive and typical.

5. Grüner Veltliner "Urkristall" 2008 from Weingut Gschweicher - good

very upfront fruit, ice bon bon, very fruitforward, lean style on style on palate, very good acid structure, easy drinking style, perfect terrace wine.

New virtual tours at KC

2009-06-02T12:05:00.003+02:00

Just found out some new exciting things going on at Klein Constantia / Cape Town.

KC installed 2 brand new virtual tours. First one covering the vineyards, the second the main cellar activities.

If you would like to get an insiders view of the Klein Constantia winery, producer of the famous Vin de Constance, check out following link and enjoy the beauty of the South African wine lands.

Klein Constantia

By the way ... if you meet a bottle looking like this, do not hesitate to taste a sip ... Jane Austen said about this special wine: "just a sip is enough to cure the broken heart of a lady"

Hans Reinisch dies in tractor accident

2009-05-29T16:18:00.003+02:00

©www.falstaff.at (29.5.2009)

Hans Reinisch (Johanneshof) tödlich verunglückt

Der bekannte Winzer Hans Reinisch (57) vom Johanneshof in Tattendorf ist gestern, Donnerstag, den 28. Mai 2009, um ca. 15.45 Uhr bei der Traktorarbeit in der Gumpoldskirchner Ried Satzing tödlich verunglückt. Sein Traktor mit Anhänger hat sich im steilen Weingarten zur Seite überschlagen, der Winzer wurde im Führerhaus rettungslos eingeklemmt, die rasch eingetroffenen Einsatzkräfte konnten ihn nicht mehr lebend bergen.

Champagne ... at Perlage

2009-05-26T14:33:00.005+02:00

If you drink bubblies, you need to drink the really good stuff. One of the best sources in Vienna is "Perlage - Champagner & Co."

tasting team: Rüdiger, Ulli, Elmar and I.

Note: All wines tasted blind.

1. Lilbert, Brut - very good

white bread, fruity, brioche, very balanced on the palate, nice small bubbles, good length.

2. Petitjean-Pienne, Coer d. Chardonnay - very good

matured, slightly coarser bubbles, a touch of acetone, rather morbid on the palate, good length, RS detectable in the finish.

3. Petitjean-Pienne, Prestige - good/very good

CO2 prominent on the nose, nearly no bubbles, butter pastry, fresh palate, good acid structure, bit short, rather simple.

4. Lilbert, Perle - good

nearly flat, pear and quinces, restrained, fruity on the palate.

5. Guy Cadel 2002 - very good

classical nose, bread flavors, bold and round on the palate, good acid structure, very good length.

6. Pierre Peters L´Esprit de 2002 - very good

fresh toast, brioche, fruity, fresh palate, classical, very good length.

7. Pierre Paillard Brut - very good

fresh bread, fruity, gooseberry, very good integrated acid structure, very balanced.

8. Fourrier 2003 - ok

golden yellow color, matured, open, good acid structure, rather short, nearly dead!

9. Pierre Paillard 2002 - delicious

fresh white bread, very typical, very good length, stunningly multilayered!

Results of Master thesis "Die burgenländische Weinprämierung"

2009-05-15T14:00:00.004+02:00

Dear reader,

please find below the abstract of my Master thesis titled

"Self Image and Public Image analysis of the annual regional tasting in Burgenland - a survey on the basis of qualitative expert interviews".

If you are interested in the detailed results of the Master thesis, just let me know.

The annual regional wine tasting in Burgenland is an blind, expert tasting and accessible to all wineries in the Burgenland region. A modern objective annual tasting in the region of Burgenland according to the needs and requirements of all stakeholders enables the chamber of agriculture in Burgenland to work with focused Public Relations in a more and more competitive national and international wine market. The aim of this Master thesis is to compare the self-image of the annual wine tasting with the various public images.

The focus of the qualitative research is to answer the question, in what way the self- image by the employees of the chamber of agriculture and the public images by experts in the fields of Gastronomy, Media, Viticulture and Wine Marketing show differences.

As the results show, there are some severe differences in the self-image and the public image of the annual wine tasting in Burgenland. Especially in the configuration of the tasting procedure, the execution of Public Relations, the image perception and the significance of this wine tasting. This analysis could be the base for adaptions in the Marketing strategy and Public Relations concept by the chamber of agriculture in Burgenland.

Boku Heim midweek tasting

2009-05-15T07:44:00.005+02:00

This weeks midweek tasting showed a pretty nice line up of different wines and regions. From Pfalz in Germany, to Austria´s Kremstal, Kamptal, Weinviertel, Neusiedlersee-Hügelland, Neusiedlersee and last but not least Mittelburgenland. The styles of the wines varied accordingly and overall the quality was quite impressive.

The usual tasting team suspects were joined by our class mate, friend and proficient taster Rüdiger.

Note: All wines were tasted open.

1. Grauburgunder 2008 from Weingut Müller-Kern - Pfalz - good - €6,20

rather neutral on the nose, but typical on the palate, refreshing, easy drinking stuff.

2. Sauvignon Blanc 2008 from Weingut Müller-Kern - ok

green elder leafs, quite high in SO2, bit RS, unripe green flavors, gets more unpleasant with air.

3. Sauvignon Blanc 08 from Weingut Bärenhof - Pfalz - good

ripe falvors, greengage plum and elder, bit botrytis rot, good acid structure, a bit short on the finish.

4. Riesling Spätlese „Dürkheimer Rittergarten“ 2008 from Weingut Bärenhof - ok/good

hints of honey, rather one dimensional nose, acid structure ok, improves with O2, quite easy on midpalate.

5. Kremstal DAC 2007 from Weingut Stadt Krems - good/very good

honey and very ripe flavors, hints of petrol, minerally, rather evolved, acid structure ok,

6. Riesling Spätlese „Hammbacher Schlossberg“ 2007 from Weingut Müller-Kern - yech

sulfur reduction pure, good acid structure but sulfur reduction flavors on the palate too.

7. Riesling Auslese 2007 trocken from Weingut Bärenhof - very good

stone fruit, peaches and apricot, very typical, dark berries, underlined with slate flavors, very good acid structure, multilayered, very good length.

8. Riesling 2006 „Die Leidenschaft“ from Weingut Martin Arndorfer - very good/delicious

apricot and peaches, typical Austrian Riesling, tobacco, minerally, multilayered nose, slate, oak perfectly integrated, creamy texture, very lingering.

9. Pinot Blanc „Ungsteiner Osterberg“ Spätlese 2007 from Weingut Bärenhof - yech

sulfur reduction, sauerkraut, same flavors on the palate,

10. Grüner Veltliner „Hundsberg“ 2007 from Weingut Pröll - very good

fruity, hints of honey and butterscotch, pepper, spices, creamy texture, tobacco, balanced acid structure, quite lingering.

11. Weinviertel DAC „Kellerberg“ 2007 from Weingut Gschweicher - very good

withe pepper, still young, soft texture but spicy, quite lingering.

12. Syrah 2004 from Weingut Kirnbauer - ok/good

spicy, sticht etw in der Nase, quite ripe, broad flavors, oak dominated, rather evolved, bit acetone,

13. Ursus Magnus 2005 from Weingut Bärenhof - very good

super dark color, light pipe tobacco, peppermint, eucalyptus, dried mushrooms, bell pepper, oak very well integrated, very good tannin and acid structure, lingering.

14. Heulichin 2006 from Weingut Wagentristl - very good

fruity, tobacco, minty, eucalyptus, soft tannin structure, distinctive, good length, oak power, still young, lingering, will massively improve with more time in bottle.

15. Blaufränkisch Lüss 2007 from Weingut Lentsch - very good

dark color, spicy, ripe cherry, ripe plums, horse radish, good acid and tannin structure, juicy,

16. Zweigelt „Excellence“ 2003 from Weingut Veit - very good/delicious

cassis and cinnamon, black berries, juicy tannin, super lingering, ripe and very balanced, good extract, powered.

17. Vitikult 2006 from Weingut Kirnbauer - corc

extreme corc taint ... for training!!!

Swiss-Austrian wine tasting notes

2009-05-12T16:38:00.005+02:00

Some more images of the nice medieval town center of Murten and my tasting notes. Actually I was pretty surprised of the high quality level of the Swiss wines. Especially the Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc and Gewürztraminer were really good. Ripe flavors with low alcohol levels and very good acid structure.

castle wall:

view from the tower: (town center, lake Murten and appellation Vully (speak: Vüi) on the other side of the lake)

Note: wines were tasted open and tasting notes just include the very best among the all in all very good wines.

Cru de l´Hopital, Christian Vessaz - Motier

1. Pinot Gris 2008 - very good

very spicy and bold, good acid structure but with creamy texture, very good length.

2. Traminer 2008 - very good

pure Lychee and Roses on the nose, very good structure, good length.

Weinkellerei S. & L. Hasler - Twann

3. Sauvignon Blanc 2008 - very good/delicious

pure Lychee, Grapefruit, explosive aromas on the nose, low alcohol level!, very good acid structure, terrific wine.

4. Runnino Chardonnay 2007 - very good

pears and nice oak spices, wood very good integrated, still young, balanced and multilayered, good length, will improve with more aging.

Herni Cruchon - Morges (biodynamic since 8 years)

5. Viognier 2008 - very good/delicious

pears and tangerine, reduced quinces, very balanced, tobacco on the palate, multilayered, very good length and acid structure.

6. Cuvee Gourmande - very good

ripe yellow apples, bold, quinces, very good length.

Tenimento dell´Ör - Arzo

7. Granito 2007 - very good

pure mineralty, nice cool flavored, oak very well integrated, good acid structure, very good length.

8. Merlot Riserva DOC La Prella 2006 - very good (grown on gravel)

spicy and minerally, soft but structured tannin, very good length.

9. Merlot Riserva DOC Tenimento dell´Ör 2006 - very good (grown on loam)

berry mix, soft tannins, very good length, very balanced on mid palate.

Murten - winemakers dinner

2009-05-09T08:17:00.004+02:00

Yesterday´s winemakers dinner was quite impressive. 5 courses including salmon, beef, cheese course and biscuit with fresh strawberries were enjoyed by all of the participants. Most astonishing thing ... 32 wines from all attending winemaker could be match freely to all the courses which means everybody had the chance to find the perfect match for him and the food.

Here some pics! Enjoy (and be jealous!!)

Salmon with wild garlic:

local beef:

most favorite course .. raw milk cheeses!

Swiss-Austrian wine tasting

2009-05-08T15:16:00.005+02:00

Day 1 at the Swiss-Austrian wine fair in Murten/ Switzerland.

A bunch of Austrian winemaker including Günter Triebaumer, Helmut Preisinger, Phillip Zull, Elisabeth Lentsch and some others are going to host a 2-day tasting (including a winemakers dinner) in the new stylish hotel „BB Wine house“ embedded between the old town centre and the lake shore. We are looking forward to meet some 10 Swiss winemakers and our guests to join us for this tasting at 4 pm.

Check back soon for todays tasting notes!!

In the mean time find some impressions from the medieval town Murten.

"our" hotel

lake shore vines

old town impression 1

old town impression 2

Boku Heim midweek tasting

2009-04-29T13:58:00.002+02:00

The first Boku Heim midweek tasting after the Easter holiday focused on Riesling from Austria. If you note the difference between wine 1 to 4 and wine 5, you will see that the vineyard soil (primary rock 1 to 4 and loess: 5) is quite easily detectable in Austrian wines. Normally I do prefer Riesling from rocky soils as they are more mineral driven and are showing interesting flavors like stone fruits (peaches, apricot). On the other hand GVs from loess are really good too.

Note: All wines were tasted blind.

1. Riesling „Zöbing“ 2008 from Weingut Hannes Hirsch - good - about €9,50

bit CO2 visible, bright yellow hue, lemon/lime flavors, with more O2 stone fruit detectable, touch of loess, lean aroma, good sugar/acid balance, citrus fruits dominating on the palate, easy drinking, middle length.

2. Riesling „Klassik“ 2008 from Weingut Gschweicher - good - €7

pale yellow hue, explosive nose, hints of SB aroma due to strong aroma profile, lemon/lime and some cold fermentation flavors, lean body, good acid structure with lower RS level than 1, mineral finish, summer terrace wine.

3. Riesling Smaragd „Ried Kirnberg“ 2007 from Weingut Sigl - very good

golden hue, hints of lemon, ripe peaches, quite evolved nose, petrol, middle body, good acid/RS balance with good pressure on midpalate, good length, gets better every minute with more O2, quite lingering.

4. Urgesteins Riesling „Reipersberg“ from Weingut Gschweicher- very good - €9,50

pale golden hue, typical stone fruit flavors with more apricot than peaches, good acid structure, lingering, good.

5. Riesling Steinfeder „Terrassen“ 2008 from Domäne Wachau - good

bright yellow hue, prominent loess flavors, totally different than all the others but not unpleasant, very balanced but far on the softer side, overall on the broader side, loess driven on the palate.

6. Blaufränkisch „Lüss“ 2006 from Weingut Lentsch - very good

dark red hue, sour cherries and cherries, maybe a hint of MLF flavor, vanilla and spices, dark chocolate on the palate, good length, mouth filling, oak very good integrated, lingering.

Asparagus season ...

2009-04-28T08:49:00.003+02:00

Asparagus season has started with full speed due to the high temperatures during the Easter holidays. Friends of my sister are the owners of an Asparagus farm in the Marchfeld region just east of Vienna. They are growing Asparagus on about 14 hectares and what makes them really special is the fact they have no stock. Each stem is picked by hand and sold directly afterwards. Another big advantage is that they are using crushed ice instead of ice water to shock the Asparagus. Means no water is absorbed and the Asparagus keeps it´s unbiased flavors.

If one doesn´t know how to cook Asparagus perfectly ... find some tips and tricks at Spargel

We had our 3 different kinds of Asparagus (white, green, purple) just seared in olive oil with balsamic vinegar reduction ... easy, but delicious.

The perfect wine match can be found in the "Spargelhaus" too. Isabella has some limited edition wines at hand.

Limited Edition "Asparagus" Pinot Blanc 2008 from Weingut Unger - good/very good

nice fruitdriven nose with lemon/lime and underlying pear flavors, refreshing palate, nice acid structure, perfect match with the dish!

signs:

all different, all the same:

... and so healthy ;-)

the perfect match: Pinot Blanc

Slow Food Burgenland

2009-04-22T10:16:00.005+02:00

Slow Food Burgenland relaunched!!

I am proud to announce the Relaunch of the "Slow Food Burgenland" Convivium.

As good, sustainable food and wine are becoming much more important in a globalized world, I am glad that some old varieties and traditions are still alive in the Burgenland region.

Learn more about Slow Food:

SLOWFOODBURGENLAND

spring .. at last

2009-04-16T12:33:00.003+02:00

Last week was the perfect weather for my first motorcylce pics trip this year. I got some nice images from all around the lake Neusiedl. Enjoy !

my bike (old but perfect for exploring vineyards):

"Mole West" in Neusiedl/See:

fruit trees:

that´s gonna happen if you plant your vines to close to the lake shore:

storks are back in town:

Wine of the month March 2009

2009-04-16T12:23:00.000+02:00

Please find the wine of the month at the wine list

terrace wine ...

2009-04-08T20:26:00.003+02:00

As temperature is climbing steady towards 25 deg C I was busy to prepare our patio for the Easter weekend. A perfectly refreshing summer is this one ...

Sankt Laurent 2007 from Weingut Martin Prinz - good

quite light in color with purple reflections, pure sour cherries on the nose, cherries and sour cherries on the palate, refreshing acid structure and with 12,5 %abv a perfect summer wine.

Boku Heim tasting Midweek tasting

2009-04-03T08:28:00.004+02:00

First day above 20 deg ... I love springtime!!! ... to celebrate this event in style we decided to start the BBQ for the first time this year accompanied by different beers and of course some wines.

The more serious tasting was done before. Bernhard K. brought some special bottles for our midweek “Boku Heim tasting“ to celebrate his Bachelor degree. Congrats from my side!!

Tasting team for this time: Elmar, Bernhard K. and I.

Note: all wines and beers tasted blind!

1. Perwolff 2004 from Weingut Krutzler - very good

dark red hue with some purple reflections, fruity, dark cherries and blackberries, pro

minent tannin quite elegant and balanced, maybe a bit Cab, good acid structure, lingering, good length.

2. Blaufränkisch „Altenberg“ 2004 from Weingut Paul Achs - very good

darker red hue than 1, purple reflections, red berries, oak and blackberries on the nose, soft tannin with good structure, lingering.

Maybe the more interesting tasting was the beer tasting. In this tasting we tried to answer the most complex Austrian question. Austrians are normally very profound connoiseurs regarding their favourite drink ... BEER. We are drinking about 120 liters per capita ... we should know our brand at least we always say we do. The question was: Are we able to recognise our favourite beer in a blind tasting??? Find below the most interesting results.

1. Gösser Märzen

helles gold, schaumkrone, leichtes co2, süffig leicht herb, am Gaumen leicht süss.

known: Bernhard

2. Egger leicht

helles gelb, schöne CO2 entwicklung, herber als 1, lingering.

known: Bernhard

3. Schwechater

goldgelb, Schaumkrone, wenig Co2, frisch, herb, süffig,

known: Bernhard

4. Wieselburger

goldgelb, viel Co2, soft, hefig, nicht herb, leicht süss.

5. Trumer

goldgelb, kein CO2, weich, süffig, süsse spürbar.

known: Bernhard

6. Hirter Morchel

dunkles braun, schaumrand, rauchig, malzig, malz am gaumen, langer Abgang.

best: Bernhard.

7. Paracelsus Zwickl

Hefetrüb, Schaumrand, trübes gelb, hefige Nase, cremig, Co2 spürbar.

known: Bernhard

8. Zipfer Urtyp

helles gold, Co2 sichtbar, schaumrand, weich, süss, rinnt, extrem geschliffen.

the contestants:

EU News on Rosé production

2009-04-02T13:28:00.001+02:00

New rules for the production of Rosé wines within the European Union.

article from: www.agrarnet.info

Neue Regeln zur Herstellung von Rosé-Wein

Neben der traditionellen Technik wird künftig bei der Erzeugung von Rosé-Weinen auch ein Verschnitt von Rot- und Weißwein erlaubt sein. Die Verbraucher müssen aber über die Methode informiert werden. Auf diese Verordnung, die am 1. April 2009 in Kraft treten sollen, einigten sich nun die EU-27.

Zurzeit ist ein Verschnitt von Rot- und Weißweinen zur Herstellung von Rosé-Weinen für "Tafelwein" in der EU verboten, von der internationalen Weinorganisation (OIV) aber eine zugelassene Methode. Drittländer können also Rot- und Weißweine vermischen und die so gewonnenen Rosé-Weine in die Union ausführen. Die 2007 beschlossene Reform des Weinsektors sieht vor, dass in Bezug auf die önologischen Verfahren künftig sehr viel stärker als bisher die Bestimmungen der OIV zugrunde gelegt werden. Da das Hauptziel der Reform die Steigerung der Wettbewerbsfähigkeit der europäischen Weine war, sollen die europäischen Erzeuger auch die gleichen Möglichkeiten erhalten wie die Erzeuger in Drittländern. Weine mit Herkunftsbezeichnung können sich auch weiterhin auf die traditionellen Methoden beschränken.

Was die Information der Verbraucher betrifft dürfen zwei neue Angaben auf den Etiketten verwendet werden: "Rosé traditionnel" sowie "durch Vermischen gewonnener Rosé-Wein". Diese Begriffe können von den Erzeugern auf freiwilliger Basis verwendet werden. Außerdem können Mitgliedstaaten die Begriffe für die auf ihrem Hoheitsgebiet erzeugten Weine obligatorisch vorschreiben.

Rhone 2007

2009-03-31T10:52:00.003+02:00

Last week we had the opportunity to taste some wines of the famed Southern Rhone vintage 2007. La Cave hosted this tasting and the wines were overall really good and as I realized afterwards we tasted a (98-100) wine rated by Mr. Parker!! Actually it wasn´t my favorite but you know ... everybody got his own preferred taste/style!

Note: All wines were tasted open and are from vintage 2007!

1. Domaine Font Sarade - Cotes du Rhone - ok/good - €7,50

middle color depth, purple reflections, red berries, sour cherry, fresh, CO2 on the palate, fruity on the palate, bit unbalanced (from CO2).

2. Domaine de la Janasse - Cotes du Rhone - yech - €8,90

purple red, very reductive nose, acid driven and very lean, reductive aromas are very persistent, unpleasant even after several minutes aeration!

3. Domaine de Fondreche "Fayard" - Cotes du Ventoux - ok/good - €9,50

qute dark red, purple reflections, soft and supple fruit, some spices, tartrates visible (no stabilization made??), rustic on the palate, middle length, simple.

4. Dom. des Escaravailles "Antimagnes" - Cotes du Rhone - good - €9,50

middle red hue, purples reflections, fruity and spicy on the nose, ripe fruit, elegant tannins on the palate, good integrated acid structure, good length, acid gives freshness.

5. Dom. des Escaravailles - Resteau - good - €9,50

hints of strawberries, bit reductive, red fruits, good tannin structure, good acid structure.

6. Domaine Font Sarade - Vacqueyras - ok/good - €12,50

deeply colored, some purple reflections, quite broad, supple fruit on the nose, hints of overripeness, astringent!, Tannin to the max, alc. rather high, bit unbalanced.

7. Domaine Richaud "Villages" - Cairanne - good - €16,50

fruits in rum, like liqueur, cinnamon, Christmas tea, soft tannins, middle length, balanced.

8. Domaine de Fondreche "Persia" - Cotes du Ventoux - good - €16,00

fruity, bit alcoholic, hints of overripe fruit, spicy, good tannin structure, good length but bit alcoholic finish.

9. Dom. des Escaravailles "Boutine" - Cairanne - very good - €17,50

fresh, fruity, cassis aroma and spices on the nose, very spicy on the palate,very juicy tannin structure, lingering.

10. Dom. de la Mordoree "Reine des Bois" - Lirac - very good - €19,90

floral, violets pure on the nose, juicy tannin structure, very lingering.

11. Domaine de Fondreche "Nadal" - Cotes du Ventoux - ok/good - €??

fruity, cassis drops, quite lean on the palate, tannins good, bit alcoholic finish.

12. Domaine de la Janasse - Chateauneuf-du-Pape - good - €32,50

floral and fruity, very distinctive, elegant tannin structure, bit short and alcoholic finish.

13. Dom. Giraud "Les Gallimardes" - Chateauneuf-du-Pape - ok - €34

quite high volatile acid aromas on the nose, good tannin structure, high alcohol level, overripe fruit on the palate.

14. Domaine de la Janasse - "Vieilles Vignes" - Chateauneuf-du-Pape - good/very good - €75

fruits in rum, very bold fruit, super soft tannins, bold body, good length, alcohol a bit unbalanced and high.

Try to guess the "Parker" wine!!

Robert Parker´s bitch ...

2009-03-25T10:20:00.003+01:00

If it´s really boring in the office today take the time to watch this most interesting, funny picture on the Californian wine industry and the influence of wine critics. (26min.!!)

Enjoy responsible!

Robert Parker's Bitch from Josh Hermsmeyer on Vimeo.

France, Italy and Spain

2009-03-24T09:35:00.006+01:00

A friend of mine hosted a tasting last week in the small but very charming "Vinoe - Vinothek". Theme was a journey through the biggest wine producing countries in Europe. Starting with some bubblies we move to Chabils and afterwards toward Burgundy, Chianti and Rioja. Actually it was a nice interesting tasting with some pleasant surprises.

All wines were tasted non-blind.

Find some more infos: VINOE - Die Niederösterreich Vinothek

They have a really fair price policy!!

1. Rosé Frizzante 2007 from Walter Schenzel - ok

rather low in CO2 and a quite neutral nose, slightly sweet, bit boring.

2. Cidre from Obsthof Reisinger - ok/good

CO2 visible, shows nice ripe apple fruit, dry with good acid structure.

3. Chablis 2007 from Bovier & Fils - good

fresh, floral, ripe apple, some herbs, good acid backbone but balanced.

4. Puligny Montrachet "La Garennes" 1990 from Domaine Jean Chartron - very good

honeydew and butter, tobacco, good acid structure and very lingering, amazingly fresh for the age.

5. Hautes Cotes du Nuits 2005 from Jayer Gilles - ok/good

red fruits, just a touch of Brett detectable but not ugly, bit to much acid structure, very lean, easy drinking.

6. Bordeaux Superieur 2005 from Chateau de la Ligne - still ok

overripe plums, fruit in rum, bit acetone, fruit is fading very quickly, would die with more O2, lean, coarse tannin, middle length.

7. Confiance 2005 from Gerard Depardieu - ok

no fruit, tobacco, oak, cooked and overripe, alcoholic on the palate (15%abv.!), heady.

8. Tuttobene 2006 from Tenimenti Agnelini - ok

very closed, bit stinky, barnyard, remembers me at Pinotage, opens up with O2, bit plasticine, fruity on the palate, straight, simple.

9. Chianti 2005 from Fattoria di Scannano - ok/good

rather pale red hue, orange reflections, earl grey tea, spicy, Dr. Pepper Cherry Cola.

10. Rosso di Montalcino 2004 from Talenti - ox

brown, oxidative.

11. Tignanello 2000 from Antinori - ok

brownish rim, very soft, balanced, juicy tannin structure, declining, definitely over the peak.

12. Cepas Viejas 2004 from Domino de Tares / Bierzo - good

still purple with orange rim, fruity and spicy nose, very good structured but tannins good integrated.

13. Rioja Reserva 2004 from Bodegas Muga - very good

purple, very fruity and spicy, lush aromas, ripe tannin, very spicy on the palate, juicy, lingering.

14. Rioja Reserva 2004 from Marques de Murrieta - very good

orange rim, red fruit, red fruit jelly, dry tannins, good structured.

French wine in 1 minute

2009-03-20T10:02:00.003+01:00

Try to speak this fast !!!

Wine of the month February 2009

2009-03-18T08:01:00.001+01:00

Late again .. I know.. but find the wine of the month February 2009 at the wine list

Annual "Wein Burgenland" presentation

2009-03-17T12:23:00.003+01:00

This year annual "Wein Burgenland" presentation was really interesting. Crowds of wine lovers joined me tasting, sipping, chatting, bit later loudly discussing and cheering in the quite nice ambient of the Viennese "Museumsquartier" of short MQ. I´ve tasted about 100 wines but due to time limits I will just publish those rated good or better.

The most inspiring conversation that afternoon was with Martina Mariel from winery Konrad Mariel. We talked about the different tasting habits and pattern of winemakers, consumers and journalists. Long conversation cut short - winemakers are always looking for faults and taints, journalists are on the other side of this spectrum, they are looking for all the positive flavors and are more generous regarding minor (some even major eg. Brett) flaws, the consumers is somewhere in the middle, I hope the consumers main concern is looking for pleasure.

Here are my tasting notes: (some wines showed restrained flavors due to recent bottlings)

1. Sauvignon Blanc 2008 from Weingut Haider Heinrich - good

fresh green flavors, very typical for SB in this region, good acid structure.

2. Zweigelt 2007 from Weingut Heiling - good

cherries, good tannin structure, length ok.

3. Sankt Laurent 2007 from Weingut Heiling - good

bit restrained, but opens up wit more O2, fruitdriven

4. Pinot Noir 2005 from Weingut Leo Hillinger - good/very good

bit stinky at the first snif, but with more O2 very typical flavors, good structure.

5. Hill 1 2006 from Weingut Leo Hillinger - good

rather oaky and closed, very modern style, juicy tannins, good strucutre, young.

6. Sankt Laurent 2007 from Weingut Hans Nittnaus - good

quite typical color and flavors, very good length.

7. Pinot Noir 2006 from Weingut Schloss Halbturn - good/very good

bit closed, very typical, soft lingering tannin backbone.

8. Muskat Ottonel 2008 from Weingut Silvia Steiner - good

fruit driven, very good balanced.

9. Pinot Blanc 2008 from Weingut Birgit Braunstein - good

restrained pear aroma, flinty, good structure, shows minerality on the palate.

10. Chardonnay 2008 from Weingut Birgit Braunstein - good

ripe yellow apple, bit restrained, good acid structure, minerality.

11. Gelber Muskateller 2008 from Weingut Konrad Mariel - good

fresh, fruity, musky, good acid structure, refreshing.

12. Grüner Veltliner 2008 from Weingut Konrad Mariel - good/very good

peppery nose, very typical variety expression, racy acid backbone.

13. Pinot Blanc 2008 from Weingut Konrad Mariel - good

creamy, pear, flinty, quite lean palate.

14. Cuvee Condre 2007 from Weingut Konrad Mariel - good/very good

Cassis, some green hints but not unpleasant, multilayered, good balanced.

15. GV Bergweingarten M 2008 from Weingut Sommer - good/very good

spicy, peppery, very good acid structure, typical.

16. Sauvignon Blanc Wolfsbach 2008 from Weingut Sommer - good

bell pepper, some asparagus, canned peas.

17. Chardonnay Kreuzjoch 2008 from Weingut Sommer - good

fresh, fruity, sugar melon, good acid structure.

18. Muskateller 2008 from Weingut Sommer - good

very explosive nose, typical, green apple, quite soft palate, good length.

19. Rivaner 2008 from Weingut Wagentristl - good

musky, very subtle aroma.

20. Pinot Blanc 2008 from Weingut Wagentristl - good

fresh, fruity, exotic fruit cocktail, good length.

21. Chardonnay 2008 from Weingut Wagentristl - good

soft, melon, some more exotic fruits, balanced.

22. Blaufränkisch 2006 from Weingut Wagentristl - good

spicy, straightforward style, good length.

23. Pinot Noir Kreideberg 2006 from Weingut Wagentristl - good

pale red, orange reflections, red fruits, spicy, good length.

24. Cuvee Heulichin 2006 from Weingut Wagentristl - good/very good

bold, oak, still very young, restrained but good fruit, lingering.

25. Mittelburgenland DAC Reserve 2006 from Weingut Bauer-Pöltl - good

spicy, lean, very typical, good tannin structure.

26. Mittelburgenland DAC Reserve Quintus 2006 from Weingut Iby - good/very good

bit restrained fruit, lean and straightforward, very good structured, age worthy.

27. Chevalier 2006 from Weingut Iby - good

restrained fruit, quite closed now, very good length and structure.

28. Ab Ericio 2006 from Weingut Igler - good

bit plasticine, maybe minor Brett infection (future will show), currently juicy tannin structure, lingering.

Grüner Veltliner DAC!!

2009-03-13T10:34:00.004+01:00

Actually it is quite funny if one finds pics like this ... it seems that even 6 years after the introduction of the first DAC the Austrians still prefer the variety on the label ... Mr. Pfaffl is going to die 1000 deaths ...

And frankly ... have a closer look at the label ... it states clearly: Grüner Veltliner DAC (same font, same size!!)

pic from:

Wein « Gourmet « Schaufenster « DiePresse.com

Michel Rolland on Bordeaux 2008

2009-03-09T10:39:00.002+01:00

Barolo ..

2009-03-08T19:58:00.002+01:00

Today Ulli and I had Pizza for dinner and we upgraded our meal with a bottle of Barolo from Fratelli Revello.

This Barolo is definitely made in a modern style. Very lean and pure.

Fratelli Revello Barolo 2004 - very good - €36 (Wein&Co)

farily colored with orange reflections, restrained fruit on the nose but opens up with O2, licorice, cedarwood, tannin backbone, very typical, still quite young.

find more infos: http://www.revellofratelli.com/

Boku Heim tasting

2009-03-02T20:00:00.007+01:00

Boku Heim midweek tasting from 2.3. - tasting team: Michelle, Christina, Bernhard K., Bernhard G. and I. This week we tasted a lot a newly bottled wines. Some were still closed but overall a very nice stuff and very reasonably priced!)

1. Welschriesling 2008 from Weingut Lentsch - good - €4

loads of CO2 visible, very fresh, green apples, hay, meadow flowers, easy drinking, very good acid structure,

2. Pinot Blanc 2008 from Weingut Lentsch - good/very good - €4,50

CO2, green walnut hulls, nutty, more fulbodied than 1., pears, good length, pistachios, almond paste, poppy seed, lingering.

3. Sämling 2008 from Weingut Lentsch - good/very good - €4,20

extremly fruity, stone fruits, "Wachauer" apricot, lemon and lime flavors, well balanced, lingering apricot on the palate.

4. Frizzante GV 2008 from Weingut Gschweicher - good - €5

loads of CO2, peppery and gooseberries, very young (clear ... filled as all wines last week), balanced palate (about 15g/l RS) nice and refreshing, summer wine.

5. Chardonnay 2008 from Weingut Gschweicher - good - €5

rather closed, hints of melons, quite restrained palate too, needs time.

6. Sauvignon Blanc „Reipersberg“ 2008 from Weingut Gschweicher - very good - €7

green asparagus, hints of canned peas, gooseberries, quite international style on the nose, pistachios underlined with caramel, very good acid structure and powerful aromas on the nose.

7. Grüner Veltliner „Urkristall“ 2008 from Weingut Gschweicher - ok/good - €5

lemon and lime flavors, steely, balanced and good acid structure, bit short, easy drinking.

8. DAC Weinviertel „Klassik“ 2008 from Weingut Gschweicher - good/very good - €5,50

white pepper underlined with some exotic flavors, good acid structure, „spicy“ palate, strangely salty.

9. DAC Weinviertel „Reipersberg“ 2008 from Weingut Gschweicher - good/very good - €6,50

bit restrained due to recent bottling, yellow apple flavors, rather ripe style, quite fulbodied and lingering, aging potential, will greatly improve with time!

10. Grüner Veltliner „Galgenberg“ 2008 from Weingut Gschweicher - very good - €7,20

totally different style, passion fruit, exotic, very fulbodied, ageworthy.

11. Blaufränkisch Rosé 2008 from Weingut Lentsch - good - €4

salmon pale red hue, strawberries, wild berry gums on the nose, good acid structure, lingering, summer wine.

12. Barolo 2004 from Coop. Agr. Castiglione Falletto - still ok - €15,99 (Merkur)

rather pale red hue, orange reflections, earthy, Brett flavors, acetone, tight tannin structure, lingering, dead after 2 minutes with O2.

Boku Heim tasting Midweek tasting

2009-02-24T19:01:00.003+01:00

Two wines are featured in this weeks tasting. Two totally different white wines. A mineral-driven Riesling from the Rheingau and a buttery, full bodied Chardonnay. Anyway both are real value-for-money wines.

1. Riesling "trocken" 2007 from Weingut Prinz von Hessen - good - €10

rather pale hue, pure minerality on the nose, hints of quinces, obvious german acid structure, very distinctive, a bit short.

2. Chardonnay "Barrique" 2006 from Weingut Esterhazy - good - €7,99

peaches and pears, buttery mellow nose underlined with well integrated oak flavors, bit one dimensional, oak tannins not fully integrated on the palate, soft, could do with a bit more acid structure.

Annual winemakers tasting

2009-02-19T16:56:00.008+01:00

Yesterday I attended the annual winemakers tasting of the new vintage in my hometown Halbturn. The tasting was hosted by the vintners association and headed by the regional government consultant for viticulture and enology.

All wines were grouped by variety and tasted blind. Everybody had a scorecard (20 points rating system, the one and only tasting each year where I am being forced to rate wines with points) and the wines were discussed afterwards by the viticultural consultant. The ranking has no market relevance but it is important within the village and I strongly believe that´s the same in every winemaking country.

tasting notes legend:

variety/winery/word rating/my points/consultants points/tasting notes

Note: all wines were from 2008!

1. Welschriesling Heinz Thury - ok - 11/17

doesn´t smell fresh, no CO2 visible, ripe yellow apples, acid ok.

2. WR Josef Grösz - good - 13/18

CO2, rather broad and mellow, some residual sugar.

3. WR Josef Unger - good/very good - 14,5/18,5

CO2, fresh and fruity, lemon/lime flavors, shows nice fruit on the palate, good acid structure.

4. WR Harald Kiss - yech - -/16

dark golden hue (fresh wine??), unclean, strong smell of peanuts, moldy.

5. WR Heinz Thury - good - 13,5/17,5

CO2, hay and apple flavors, good acid structure.

6. WR Franz Schneider, EF Straße - good/very good - 14,5/17,5

CO2, fruity and fresh, Granny Smith apples, good acid structure.

7. WR Franz Tischler - ok - 11/16,5

ripe, bit CO2 visible, some phenolic compounds on the palate.

8. WR Josef Stadler - ok/good - 12,5/16,5

quite ripe flavors, much color, broad and some parts RS.

9. WR Josef Etl - ok - 11/18

cloudy, quite neutral on the nose, residual sugar.

10. Rhine Riesling Alois Schuster - ok - 11/18

peach, high in acidity, short, unbalanced.

11. Cuvée White Josef Etl - ok - 12/16,5

white bread, hints of Muscat, residual sugar.

12. Yellow Muscatel Alois Schuster - ok/good - 12,5/17

quite neutral, bouquet improves with O2, fruity on the palate, good acid structure.

13. Sparkling wine Harald Kiss - ok - 11/17

hints of unlcean flavors, sweet, bit undefined.

14. Chardonnay Josef Unger - good - 14/17

buttery, melon, exotic fruit cocktail, smooth, good acid structure.

15. CH Heinz Thury - good - 13/17,5

restrained, CO2, cold fermentation flavors, balanced, good acid structure.

16. CH Franz Tischler - ok/good - 12,5/16,5

highly colored, honey, bees wax, some green unripe flavors on the palate, acid ok, decreases with O2.

17. CH Franz Schneider, Budapester Str. - yech - -/15

unclean, very reductive, rotten egg, mercaptane.

18. CH Alois Schuster - ok - 12/18

bit buttery, exotic fruits, good acid, short.

19. CH Josef Etl - ok/good - 12,5/17

bit reductive but blows of very quickly, flinty, some exotic notes, acid ok.

20. CH Josef Stadler - ok - 11/17

bit reductive, CO2, ripe flavors, phenolic, short.

21. CH Bernhard Lang - ox - -/16,5

very ripe yellow apples, aldehydic, oxidative.

22. CH Josef Etl - ok - 11,5/16,5

pure butter, very oaky, just wood on the palate, very smooth, overpowered, nearly oxidative.

23. Pinot Blanc Josef Unger - good/very good - 14,5/18

strong scents of pear, bit buttery, flinty, good acid structure, lingering.

24. Sauvignon Blanc Hein Thury - ok - 11 /16

cotton candy, cold fermentation flavors, atypical, phenolic on the palate, unripe notes.

25. SB Franz Schneider, EF Str. - good - 14/16,5

CO2, fresh, fruity, asparagus, canned peas, good acid.

26. SB Alois Schuster - good - 13/17,5

some green hints, box hedge, canned peas.

27. Sb Josef Stadler - ok - 11/15

bit reductive, atypical, rather phenolic on the palate.

28. Rosé Heinz Thury - ok - 11,5/16,5

very pale red, hints of strawberries, cotton candy, bit phenolic.

29. Rosé Franz Tischler - ok - 11/16,5

quite pink, strawberries, bit MLF flavors, not fruity on the palate, phenolic, definitely drained.

30. Zweigelt Josef Stadler - ok - 11/18

restrained fruit, purple, nearly black color, MLF notes, bit cloudy, on the threshold to oxidation.

31. ZW Alois Schuster - ok/good - 12,5/17,5

sour cherries, MLF notes, fruity but with some green edges on the palate.

32. ZW Heinz Thury - ok - 12/17,5

fruity, cherries, soft but very thin.

33. ZW Franz Tischler - ok - 11,5/ 17

just MLF aroma, smooth palate, tannin structure ok.

34. ZW Josef Etl - ok/good - 12,5/18

sour cherries, quite dense tannin structure, fruity on the palate but on the threshold to oxidation.

35. ZW Lehendorf Alois Schuster - good - 14/18

dark red color, MLF notes, extract sweetness, maybe a bit RS too, acid structure good, bit alcoholic.

36. ZW Josef Grösz - very good - 16/17

fruity, Cassis, extract sweetness, lingering.

37. ZW Josef Stadler - ok - 12/17,5

brownish color, bell pepper, CS touch, quite green on the palate, atypical.

38. ZW Josef Unger - good - 13,5/18

toasted oak, ways too young, mocca, very structured, lingering.

39. ZW Josef Grösz - ok/good - 12,5/17,5

cherries and sour cherries, simple but ok on the palate.

40. Pinot Noir Franz Tischler - ok - 11/17

stinky, bit reductive, strawberry touch.

41. Saint Laurent Josef Grösz - still ok - 10,5/17,5

just MLF aroma, Pinot-like color, bit dull.

42. SL Franz Schneider, Budapester Str. - ok - 11/-

sour cherries, iodine, soft but thin, pronounced acid.

43. Blaufränkisch Franz Tischler - still ok - 10,5/17,5

iodine, bit reductive, hints of sour cherries, very simple, decreases rapidly with O2.

44. BF Alois Schuster - ok - 11,5/16,5

brownish color, rather atypical, some spices on the palate, tannin structure ok.

45. BF Heinz Thury - ok - 11/17,5

perfumed, overripe flavors, dried fruits, fruits in rum, bit acetone.

46. BF Alois Schuster - ok - 11/18,5

MLF on the nose, yoghurt, acid driven.

47. Merlot Josef Stadler - yech/ox - -/18

deep purple color, acetone, bit Brett, plasticine, very low sulfur, soft.

48. ME Josef Unger - ok/good - 12,5/17,5

oak and spices, smooth tannin but structure ok, bit alcoholic, young.

49. ME Josef Etl - ok/good - 12,5/17

fairly colored, smooth tannins, good tannin structure, some MLF notes.

50. ME Heinz Thury - ok - 11/17

rather neutral, green hints, rather green tannins on the palate.

51. Cabernet Sauvignon Heinz Thury - ok - 11/17

rather pale colored, green, unripe, hard tannins.

52. Syrah Josef Stadler - yech - -/18

car paint, fumes, overripe, nearly oxidative, acetone on the palate.

53. Sweet wine Auslese (do not know the variety) Bernhard Lang - good - 14/17,5

acid/sweetness good balanced, rather neutral on the nose, bit short.

Some participants showed an astonishing lack of tasting competence regarding fault detection. They had not 1 faulty wine on their scorecards!!

The paradox of wine

2009-02-13T09:06:00.006+01:00

This week I read an article in „DiePresse.com“ (Im Keller: Riesling Zöbinger Heiligenstein 2007 « DiePresse.com). It made me think about a few things concerning the wine business. I thought about journalism, winemaking, Emile Peynaud and the question „Why do we need Wine Marketing?“

Examples are very good things and I would like to use an example to explain my thoughts.

E.g.

Thesis:

A winemaker makes serious changes in his vineyard management system and cellar work. As result his wines do not ferment until dry - of course the wine shows a lower alcohol level but with a residual sugar level above 12 g/l. Wine does not need any interference by man. Wine creates itself.

Antithesis: (from „The taste of wine“ by Prof. Emile Peynaud 1996, p289ff)

There are several kinds of quality. I would like to refer to the innate quality - which corresponds to natural factors and acquired quality - provided by the intervention of man. Prof. Peynaud points out that nothing is completely innate in a processed product of agricultural origin. Natural condition are only potentially, in effect everything has to be acquired, discovered or invented.

Without choosing the location, constant work in the vineyards, without drainage and improvements there would be no good soils for wine and no production of quality grapes. It is man who has chosen the grape variety and for the wine itself, it is a direct product of man´s labor. The quality of the wine depends on the choice of a method of vinification and how it is carried out.

Essentially, quality only exists if it is desired, sought after, patiently waited for; it is not a free gift. Prof. Peynaud cannot agree with the view that „one accepts human intervention (in vinification), as long as it allows the natural charateristics to remain intact,“ since it is precisely human intervention which has created and highlighted this so-called natural charateristics!

Baron Le Roy: „Quality can be endlessly improved because it is essentially the work of man.“

BUT: Preventive enology is always better than curative enology as emphasized in the phrase: "Vinify in such a way that the wine will have to undergo no treatments other than clarification."

This paradox leads directly to our initial question. „Why do we need Wine Marketing?“

Solution:

What can our winemaker - sorry, he does not want to be called a winemaker - wine attentand do?? As many people do not know very much about wine it is the task of the producer (beside some other institutions) to train the consumer. Consumers demanding higher qualities in wines are creating higher quality wines!

But the wine attendant, together with our journalist, creates an article which falsely informs the consumers. Wine does not need the interference of man. High residual sugar levels are due to this year circumstances. Nature did not want to create a dry wine! But if the consumers do not have profund knowlegde about vineyard management, vinification, tasting expertise ... they are not going to demand higher quality wines which is in fact quite good in our example as it would lead to decreasing sales.

Last but not least two of my favorite statements of Prof. Emile Peynaud:

„Quality exists only in relation to the individual judge and then only in as far as he has the ability to perceive it and approve it.“

„The quality of wine has no existence on its own since it is dependent on the quality of the consumer. Everyone drinks the wine he of she deserves.“

Literature:

The taste of wine: The Art and Science of Wine Appreciation - Emile Peynaud - 1996 - ISBN-13:978-0471113768

Boku Heim tasting Midweek tasting

2009-02-11T17:40:00.005+01:00

Bernhard K. and I tasted 2 Wines in this weeks "Boku Heim tasting". It is very quiet in our student house as this and the next 2 weeks are holidays at BOKU University. Anyway, we´ve got loads to do as Bernhard has to write some papers and I am busy with exams.

1. Pinot Noir "Kreideberg" 2006 from Weingut Wagentristl - good/very good

pale red hue, still purple colored, chalky, Iod, spices and cinnamon on the nose, hints of oak, truffel scent, very smooth tannins, quite lingering but could do with a bit more punch.

2. Shiraz 2003 from Rust en Vrede Estate - good/very good - €24 (Weinplateau Wien)

deep dark red hue, spicy, vanilla, very ripe, hints of fruit in rum, bit meaty but not unpleasant, hints of burnt oak, very powerful on the palate (14,5 %abv), but quite balanced and lingering.

One of my favorite Shiraz form South Africa!

wine of the month January 2009

2009-02-01T13:53:00.001+01:00

Find the new exciting wine of the month January 2009 at the Wine of the month

Syrah based wines

2009-01-29T10:11:00.006+01:00

Just around the corner of Ullis apartment is the small but charming French Vinotheque "La Cave". Every month interested wine lovers get the chance to sample some interesting wines from the "motherland" of wine. This months tasting was particularly important to us as one of our favorite varieties Syrah was on show. Best made examples can be found in the Rhone valley which are "always" showing a gorgeous bouquet with fruits and spices. But as everywhere doom and glory are very close neighbors.

1. Chateau de Gourgazaud 2006 (SY/Mourvèdre)- ok/good - €6,00 - Minervois

red with purple reflections, fruit, hints of spices, sour cherries, tannins poorly integrated, not very balanced on the palate, bitter finish.

2. Jean Michel Gerin 2006 (SY) - good - €11,50 - Vin de Pays

purple rim, plums, bit overripe flavors, slightly meaty, fruit in rum, good acid structure, easy drinking style.

3. Domaine Fondreche "Nadal" 2005 (SY/Grenache) - good - €12,50 - Cotes de Ventoux

ripe, quite typical flavor compounds, bit overripe, hints of acetone, smooth, slightly alcoholic finish.

4. Chateau Le Roc "Don Quichotte" 2004 (SY/Negrette) - yech - €12,50 - Cotes de Frontonnaus

moldy, rubber, microbiological unstable, maybe accidental fermentation in bottle.

5. Domaine de l´Aiguelière 2000 - yech - €12,50 - Montpeyroux

cloudy, oxidative, rubber hose, loads sediment.

6. Domaine des Entrefaux 2001 - still ok - €15,00 - Crozes Hermitage

sediment, pale brick red hue, very fragile aromas, balanced but definitely over the peak.

7. Domaine de Courbissac "Pandora" 2003 - very good - €15,00 - Minervois la Liviniere

cloudy, fruity, meaty, hints of violets, soft tannin, good acid structure, lingering.

rank "2": Domaine Courbissac "Pandora"

8. Chateau de la Négly "La Falaise" 2006 (Sy/Grenache) - ok - €16,50 - La Clape

very young, bit MLF touch, purple reflections, good acid structure, slightly alcoholic, bitter finish.

9. Dom. St. Antonin "Magnoux" 2005 (SY) - ok/good - €16,50 - Faugeres

still purple reflections, plums, bit overripe, simple, smooth tannins, middle length.

10. Chateau Lavabre 2000 (SY) - very good/delicious - €19,00

some tartrate crystals visible, loads of spices and herbs, pine wood, hints of toasted oak but very pleasant, very good acid structure and well integrated tannins.

rank "1": Chateau Lavabre 2000

11. Alain Graillot 2006 (SY) - good/very good- €19,00 - Crozes Hermitage

young, some MLF notes, hints of essentials oils, acid and tannin very good balanced, just ways too young.

12. Domaine Cazeneuve "Roc des Mates" 2006 (SY/Mourv/Grenache) - good/very good- €21,00 - Pic St. Loup

young, purple, sour cherries, some spices, smooth tannins, lingering.

13. Domaine de l´Aiguelière "Cotes Dorée" 2005 (SY/Grenache) - still ok - €21,00 - Montpeyroux

rubber, plasticine with some spices, hints of Brett, tannin prominent.

14. Jean-Michel Gerin 2006 (SY/Viognier) - yech - €35,00 - Cotes Rotie

Brett, thin, prominent tannins due to Brett infection, Brett flavors on the palate.

Boku Heim tasting

2009-01-27T17:05:00.007+01:00

Boku Heim Midweek tasting. We opened the CH to complement our catfish filets.

1. Chardonnay 2008 from Weingut Lentsch - good

pale golden hue, fruitmix on the nose, hints of bananas and sweet melon, lemon and lime, acid structure but balanced, easy drinking.

2. Malbec "Estiba I" 2007 from Bodegas Esmeralda, Mendoza - ok - about €10 (Merkur)

very dark red, nearly black color, smokey, some acetone flavors, hints of cabbage, rather rustic tannin, alcoholic edge on midpalate, short.

Pub Klemo

2009-01-26T19:44:00.005+01:00

Last friday we had some wines in our favorite wine bar. Beside some wines Roberts magic hands created a wonderful dinner. Tuna steak with fennel mousse and dill potatoes. If you really want to pair food and wine perfectly, don´t dine at a fancy restaurant ... Pub Klemo is the first place of choice.

Here are our tasting notes.

1. Sauvignon Blanc "Steinmühle" 2007 from Weingut Kollwentz - ok/good

ripe yellow apples, hints of fresh green flavors on the nose, very ripe, good acidity, bit phenolic, very pale hue.

2. Sauvignon Blanc "Zieregg am Grassnitzberg" 1989 from Weingut Tement - good/very good

honeysuckle, mature, extreme lychee flavors on the nose and on the palate, soft, bit smokey.

3. Sauvignon Blanc 2007 from Weingut Ploder-Rosenberg - good

fresh, bit bananas and cold fermentation flavors, good acid structure, light in style.

4. Sauvignon Blanc "Platter Rieden" 2007 from Weingut Fidesser - ok/good

hints of lychee flavors good acid structure but a bit undefined.

5. Sauvignon Blanc 2007 from Weingut Triebaumer - good

bit closed, black currant blossoms, rather low in acidity, melon and some other exotic flavors on the palate.

6. Sauvignon Blanc 2007 form Weingut Umathum - ok/good

bit closed, very ripe flavors, exotic, melons, balanced.

7. Gevery Chambertin 2006 from Domaine Perrot-Minot - very good

Pinot stink on the beginning, spices and herbs, very good acid structure, lingering.

8. Furioso 2006 from Weingut Mad - good

spicy, sour cherries, good acid structure, oak a bit prominent.

9. Synthese 2006 from somewhere in the Roussilion - good

meaty, very ripe, good tannin structure, long, still young, purple reflections.

indigenous Austrian varieties ..

2009-01-20T17:55:00.006+01:00

We opened 2 wines which seemed quite interesting.

1. "Himmelstiege" Riesling Federspiel 2007 from Domäne Wachau - very good - €6,90

minerality driven on the nose, peach and other stonefruits, hints of oranges, very flinty, good acid structure on the palate, good balance (6,7 TA; 2,9 RS)

2. Zweigelt Reserve 2004 from Weingut Dolle - ok - €10,30 (Interspar)

from the beginning rather open on the nose (quite low sulfur level!!), very soft tannins, just little structure, rating on the border to yech! due to this low sulfur level, disappointing. Maybe this state of maturation was caused by insufficient storage conditions.

Anyway, it was really astonishing to us that this is the current winner of the "Zweigelt Reserve" category of the "SALON Österreichischer Wein 2008".

3. Heulichin 2006 from Weingut Wagentristl - very good/delicious

cherries and sour cherries prominent on the nose, hints of chocolate and mocha coffee, spices, black pepper, blackberries, a little bit of eucalyptus, some oak structure on the palate but driven by grape tannins, nice length.

Find more information on this winery: http://members.aon.at/weingut-wagentristl/

Energy drinks

2009-01-19T16:44:00.004+01:00

Just for fun we tasted some Austrian energy drinks. Bernhard and I were pretty sure that we would perfectly recognize "Red Bull" but it turned out to be more difficult. Here are the results ...

1. Red Bull

bit soapy, sugar and acid in good balance, doesn´t taste "just sweet".

2. Burn Extra Strong

red color, overripe blackberries on the nose, same flavor plus red currant on the palate, ways to sweet.

3. S Budget Energy Drink

nearly perfectly similar as 1., just a little bit sweeter, astonishing.

Energy drinks:

Flat lake tasting

2009-01-12T18:17:00.005+01:00

Theme of this "Boku Heim" tasting was discount wines. We decided to taste the Flat lake range from Leo Hillinger (discounter: Hofer).

1. Flat Lake Red Sparkling 2007 - ok - €3,99

pale red hue, orange reflections, Lychee and Strawberries on the nose, extremely bitter and phenolic on the palate, short.

2. Flat Lake Silver White Wine Cuvée 2007 - ok - €3,99

CO2, visible, Muscat flavors on the nose, rather low in acid, again bitter and phenolic on the palate, not lingering, steely aftertaste.

3. Flat Lake Sankt Laurent 2007 - ok - €3,99

yoghurt MLF aroma, oak, mocca, maybe chips used, oak is not integrated, bitter on the palate, very phenolic.

4. Flat Lake Premium Selection Red Wine Cuvée 2007 - ok -€9,99

dark red hue, purple reflections, no explosive nose, dried fruit, fruits on the palate, slightly overripe notes, no tannin structure.

5. Nero d´Avola 2007 from Piccini - good - €2,29

dark red color, orange rim, bit plasticine, good tannin structure and length.

6. Bramton OVR 2006 from Rustenberg - ok - €14,90 (Weinplateau)

Cassis, dust, very smooth tannins, high alcohol, burnt rubber, burnt wood, overripe.

7. Flat Lake Top Limitations Gold Red Wine Cuvée 2006 - good - €5,49

fruity on the nose, oak, very smooth, high RS, good.

A New Blog is born ...

2009-01-10T09:54:00.005+01:00

I am proud to present another WINE BLOG.

A friend and fellow enology student of mine is working with winery Christian Fischer in Soss (situated in the Thermal region, South of Vienna) and has just released his brand new blog.

I am really looking forward to read some interesting (tasting) news from Zierfandler, Rotgipfler and Blauer Portugieser.

Blog name: Peter's Wine Explorations

Creator: Peter

winery: Weingut - Fischer

Peter is not the sleeper! (pic from the famous "Intervitis-Stuttgart" tour 2007)

Wine of the month December 2009

2009-01-09T15:04:00.002+01:00

The wine of the month December is rated and posted at the wine list. It was an really difficult decision as we have tasted lots of really nice wines this month.

Sparkling wine and Red high end wines

2009-01-06T11:26:00.006+01:00

The trail of the "Konsument" magazine of discount sparkling wines was the kick off to taste some cheap sparkling wines myself.

1. Mailberger Gutssekt - ok - €3,49

pears on the nose, rather short, quite low in acid.

2. Törley Muscateller Minösegi pezsgö - ok - N/A

coarse mousseux, big bubbles, fading very quickly, no pungent Muscat flavors, white bread, nutty, rather short.

The birthday of my brother and my mother was the reason for another family party. (Actually my family doesn´t need a reason to party!) We opened some high end red Austrian wines.

3. Remanenz 03 from Weingut Lentsch - very good - €16

very ripe, dark berries, earthy, dark chocolate, blackberries, smooth tannin structure, bold, spicy, nicely integrated oak, good length.

4. Capello 03 from Weingut - very good - €11

ripe, more fruity than 1, eucalyptus, cloves, spicy, blackberries, slight green edge, little bit bitter, lots of oak toasting, still young, quite hard tannins, balanced.

5. Pannobile 01 from Weingut Hans Nittnaus - yech - about €22

loads of Brett on the nose, plasticine, bit volatile, rather thin and prominent tannins, the Brettanomyces yeast has destroyed the body, very quickly oxidative, low sulfur!

6. Pannobile 00 from Weingut Paul Achs - good/very good - about €22

fruity on the nose, cassis, bit overripe, tannins smooth but high acid, slightly volatile, some Brett too, is on the nose better than on the palate, quite low sulfur!

Tasting crew: Bernhard G., Bernhard K., Ulli S. and I.

Wine of the month November

2008-12-28T15:58:00.002+01:00

Wine of the month November 2009 posted at Wine of the month.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

2008-12-23T17:28:00.001+01:00

Dear reader,

I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2009!

I am looking forward to another year of great wines, excellent food and more "adventures" in foreign (wine) countries. Stay well!!