Austrian Wine:
The small country of Austria is one of the highest quality producers of great wine in Europe. The average vineyard is only about 5 acres with the largest around 200 acres. In all vineyards everything is done by hand and the grapes are carefully selected, picked, crushed and fermented by hand. Austria is best known for its white wines and dessert wines, but as you will discover their red wines are world class. You may not recognize some of the varietals, but after tasting you will never forget them!
Zweigelt
We offer two different vintners, Willi Opitz (Red Waltz) and Julius Hafner. The Zweigelt is the most commonly planted grape of the red varietals in Austria. It has cherry notes, is smooth and velvety, and a black pepper finish. You may even find hints of chocolate on the palate. The bouquet is distinctively fruity when young and more delicate and harmonious when mature. Its spectrum is vast; from a light table wine to a full-bodied wine lovingly aged. It is the perfect compliment to red meat.
Blaufränkisch
We offer this wine from Julius Hafner. This grape produces dark berries, has a touch of spice and is dry with medium tannins. The name Blaufränkisch actually dates back to the time Charlemagne. This Austrian specialty produces a deep and fruity red wine that is a bit volatile when young, but ever so elegant and velvety upon being stored. Many people transitioning from white wines to red wines fall in love with this wine. Red wine buffs will love this wine with pork or chicken or by itself.
Welschriesling
We offer this wine from Walter Skoff. This wine is delicately spicy with notes of fruit and very refreshing. Although long at home in Austria's vineyards, the Welschriesling is not related to the Rhine Riesling variety. It is drier wine with a full bouquet, good complexity, and wonderful balance between the acid and sugar content. It is wonderful as a starter, with salads, chicken and fish.
Grüner Veltliner
This wine is offered from Julius Hafner. The Grüner Veltliner is peppery-fresh, a citrus complexity, with hints of fruit and spice in its character. These wines are normally dry with a high degree of acidity. This grape is the most widely planted grape in Austria. It accompanies most all foods and is perfect for those that like dry white wines with a good complexity and balance.
Dessert Wines
Why not complete your meal with a world class dessert wine. You have never tasted anything as wonderful as these wines. While you may of heard of ice wines from Canada (actually the Austrians taught the Canadians in the late 1960's), Austria offers 8 different degrees of dessert wines based on the amount of residual sugar. Because the grapes now resemble raisins when being pressed, the bottles are 375 mL. We offer you the class of Trockenbeerenauslese (TBA) wines and ice wines that have medals around the world.
Pinot Gris TBA
This wine is from Willi Opitz. This wine recently won best of class at the Starwine competition in Philidelphia. It is a typical TBA with botrytis. The bouquet will remind you of an orchard at harvest time with pears, peaches, apricots and honey. It is extremely complex, meaning that the longer you leave it on your tongue, the more flavors you will experience. It is perfect with cheesecake, dark chocolate and honeydew melon.
Müller Thurgau TBA (Sweet Waltz)
Another wine from Willi Opitz, the name is Sweet Waltz. This wine took a silver medal in the recent Starwine competition. You find a bouquet full of honey and peaches. The complexity is high and the finish very long. Great with cheesecake, apple pie, or ice cream.
Zweigelt (Opitz One)
Yes that's right, the same grape as the dry, red wine! But now not picked until December and a rare treat. This is the signature wine from Willi Opitz called Opitz One. Every bottle is hand signed and has Willi's gold thumbprint. You find a high degree of complexity with black cherries, nutmeg, and other fruits. It is great with chocolate, blue cheese or by itself as the perfect finish to a wonderful meal.
Schreube TBA and Icewine
This ice wine is from Julius Hafner. Like most of the dessert wines, it has a high degree of complexity, but is light and refreshing as a dessert wine. You find a strong hint of honey, nuts, and other fruits. It is wonderful with cheesecake, ice cream or fruits.
Chardonnay TBA
This special dessert wine has the characteristic chardonnay taste, but dramatically intensified and increased complexity. The vintner is Julius Hafner. The wine won best of class in at the World Chardonnay Competition in France the last 3 years in row!