Etikettarkiv: Austria

Austrian red wines

Austrian Meinklang with explosive red fruit

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The black grape variety Pinot noir is one of the grape varieties that has been cultivated the longest by man, probably already around 2,000 years ago. Even though it is a sensitive grape it has become more and more popular in recent decades, and here is a very fruity and explosive example from Meinklang, run by the Michlits family and located in Burgenland by the shallow Neusiedlersee . Just over 2,000 hours of sunshine a year allow blue grape varieties such as pinot noir, zweigelt, and blaufränkisch to ripen to perfection. The mineral-rich volcanic soils are also ideal for the vines. The property is certified for organic cultivation, and the family also has livestock, orchards and other crops to create diversity. The family’s holdings extend into Hungary, so Meinklang has both Austrian and Hungarian wines in its repertoire.

This pinot noir is produced with minimal intervention, which means, among other things, careful use of sulphur and storage in used barrels so as not to affect the wine too much. The result is a nose full of fruity, slightly perfumed scents , slightly white peppery hints and nice vegetal notes with lots of wild raspberries, lavender, cherries, strawberries and herbs.

On the palate, there is crisp acidity balanced with fruity flavors with hints of wild raspberries, fresh herbs, cherries, strawberries and violets. The wine is nuanced and has an elegant finish which is very fruity. The wine can be stored well for up to three years, but is already very enjoyable today.

Food? This fruity Pinot goes well with a variety of different styles. Dishes that are extra good matches, however, are tapas such as olives, tapenade, parmesan and ham, herb-baked chicken fillet in the oven, veal mince steaks, pasta carbonara and cheese and ham pie.

I really appreciate this natural Pinot Noir, for a price of 139 SEK at Systembolaget (nr 75093), and I give it 83 points.

Austrian red wines

Wildwux Austrian pleasant cuvée

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Austria is quite a rare experience for me, but it is getting more common now in Sweden to find nice Austrian wines. This cuvée from Burgenland called Wildwux (2015) is spicy and well-balanced  and worth its price of 120 SEK (nr 2911). I give it 84 points.

The cuvée is made of 30% Zweigelt, 27% Sankt Laurent, 27% Merlot, 11% Blaufränkisch and 5% Pinot noir black grapes. Both Zweigelt, St Laurent and Blaufränkisch are typical Austrian grape varieties. This cuvée gives a mix of spices, herbs, bramble, raspberries and oak on the nose. The alcohol level is 13 %. Half of the wine has been matured in oak vessels for a year (50 % in French and 50 % in Austrian oak barrels).

Wildwux is produced by Birgit Braunstein KG, who took over the family vineyard in Burgenland in 2001 (in the area Neusidlersee). The family has grown grapes in these fields from 1632. The focus has for a long time been long term sustainability, and from 2016 it is biodynamic certified.

The wine is spicy and well-balanced. You can sense the oak, and some chocolate notes. Raspberries and blueberries are present – and the typical peppery sour cherry notes from Blaufränkisch! I personally enjoy it also on its own, at around 16° C, or with a cheese like soft white mold cheese. It will also combine well with lamb or pork dishes. Enjoy!

Austrian white wines

Organic Grüner Veltliner Biohof Pratsch

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I visited Austria about a year ago – and that made me really appreciate their main  high-quality white grape variety called Grüner Veltliner, GV (30 % of all plantings in Austria are of Grüner Veltliner). I think that for some people you must take some time to get used to the sometimes special taste of the GV, and it can also give a broad variety of flavours: green grapes, salad, white pepper, honey, toast…depending on the soil and age etc.

Now I have tasted the organic Grüner Veltliner Biohof Pratsch 2014 (nr 2922 at Systembolaget, price 89 SEK). It is from Weinviertel in Niederösterreich, and the Biohof Pratsch has been producing wine in an organic way for more than decade – see:

Biohof Pratsch

The alcohol level is 12,5%. On the nose this wine has notes of green fruit like pear, stone fruit like peach and herbs. On the palate you sense a fresh acidity with citrus fruit, pear, gooseberry, pepper, nuts, and a crisp ending.

This wine can be enjoyed without food – but also goes well with Asian food, fish, seafood – but also with sausages and ham for instance! I would say that is expresses the grape variety Grüner Veltliner in a pleasant way – and I give it 88 points.

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