Chalices and Wines – a perfect match

Here we go again harping on about Austria but it is in our opinion one of the most exciting wine-producing countries at the minute. Austria produces less than 1% off of all the worlds wine – roughly 27 million cases a year! All of this comes from the Eastern part of the country where the Alps wind down into hills and almost all of it comes from small family run wineries. As with many things the Austrians themselves are always evolving discovering new areas for vines and better growing conditions for the grapes they have, in essence there is more to Austria than the Wachau. The Wachau is probably the most famous area in Austria for the production of wine. It is in fact a world heritage site (since 2000). It is in the valley cut by the Danube as it winds its way through central Europe, between the towns of Melk and Krems. A cool climate region that has terraced vineyards along the river like in Mosel, Germany and Cote Rotie, France.  Main grape varieties grown are predominately the indigenous Gruner Veltliner and Riesling along with Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc and even some Traminer and Sauvignon Blanc.

Since the vintage 2009 the Müller family has cultivated 10 ha in the Wachau region. These vineyards are part of the monastery Kremsmünster estate which was founded in 777 AD by Bavarian Duke Tassilo III. The same soil has nurtured vines since 893 AD, thus producing the grapes so unique to the area. The Tassilo Cup, being one of the most valuable pieces of the nearby monastery’s art collection, was chosen as the centre piece on the label for the new wines from this region. From this site, over a thousand years old, come the characteristically fruitful vintages called the Tassilo Wines.

Tassilo Weisser Burgunder ‘Sussenberg’ 2011

Light green yellow in the glass, delicate nut aromas in the nose, elegant and powerful on the palate; an excellent wine with a great balance and length. The perfect companion for spicy and flavour rich dishes as well as elegant fish. Without a food pairing, this wine is well suited for any special occasion. The wine also possesses the ability to improve over the next 5 years.

Tassilo Gruner Veltliner ‘Alte Point’ 2011

Bright green-yellow in colour, on the nose aromatic with delicate flowers on the palate, fine textured, juicy and elegant.  Tender green apple on the finish, a spicy, typical Veltliner. A superbly refreshing wine. Serve chilled as an aperitif! As well the perfect companion for spicy meals or Asian cuisine and salads, but also has the body to stand up to pork dishes.

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Really From Austria

(First up sorry for the delay but the weather made it hard to sit down and type this up!!!) Last Thursday night we held our second last in shop tasting of the Summer, and it was the wonderful wines of Austria that we tasted. The wines from Weingut Muller in Krems have really been a revelation since we started importing them nearly two years ago. On the night we tasted 10 different wines including three Gruner Veltliners and two rieslings.

Müller ‘Göttweiger’ Riesling  2011                                                              €14.95

Fresh and fruit nose of citrus and apricot. Light spritz on the plate with crisp citrus fruit.

Müller ‘Kremser Kogl’ Grüner Veltliner  2012                                  €13.95

Pear, apple and spice nose gives way to fresh minerally pear and apple palate.

Tassilo ‘Alte Point’ Grüner Veltliner  2011                                           €16.95

Classic Wachau nose delicate flowers, apples, citrus and spice. Juicy crisp and textured palate. Fresh Finish.

 Müller ‘Neubergen’ Riesling  2012                                                             €18.95 

One of the nights real hits. Aromatic apricot, lime and yellow apple nose. Very fresh spritz on the palate and lots of apple, pear, peach and citrus fruits.

 Müller ‘Bergkristall’ Grüner Veltliner  2012                                      €17.95

Opens up in the nose with a wide range of different fruit aromas including grapefruit but also tones of garden herbs and excellent minerals. The palate is spoiled by a beautiful distinction and finesse, delicate nuances of apples and pears in the finish.

 Müller ‘Eichbühel’ Sauvignon Blanc 2012                                          €19.95

The other superstar of the night; bursting with delicate tropical fruit notes, passion fruit, lime and citrus. Crisp mineral driven fruit on the palate. A real interesting alternative to both New Zealand and Sancerre. 

 Tassilo ‘Süssenberg’ Weiss Burgunder 2011                                       €17.95

Delicate nut aromas in the nose, elegant and powerful on the palate; an excellent wine with a great balance and length. A full-bodied food wine.

Müller ‘Mugeln Reserve’ Chardonnay 2011                                         €19.95

Ripe stone fruit on the nose and on the palate. Complex and powerful, already very harmonious, lingering finish. Again great food wine with excellent cellaring potential.

 Müller Zweigelt Selection 2010                                                                  €12.95

Ruby red colours in the glass, beautiful scents of cherries and fine spices develop in the nose, nice berry notes on the palate, fruity, trendy and smooth.

 Müller ‘Reserve’ Zweigelt 2010                                                                   €17.95 

Beautiful scents of red berries, cherries and fine spices on the nose, along with nice barrique tones. Powerful and substantial on the palate with nice juicy red fruit and silky smooth tannins.