Get to Know More Austrian Wine

By / Wine + Drinks / June 25th, 2014 / 2

I recently returned from a trip to Austria and while I know they made Gruner Veltliner, and lots of it, there were some surprises along the way that perked up my buds.

The Pinot Noirs turned out to be more than halfway decent and the Blaufrankisch while very hit and miss – the ones that were good were really very good.

But the biggest surprise of the trip, for me, were all the Zweigelts, these wines were full of great fruit and flavour – and like with most grapes, the older the grapes the richer and more concentrated the wine.

Not sure whether we’ll see any of these on our shores but here were three of my absolute stand outs:

Hagn 2012 Blauer Zweigelt

Chocolate, vanilla and cherry – this wine could have posed as a Zinfandel and I’d have been none the wiser – what a great balance of flavours and aromas.

Erich Schleiblhofer 2012 Zweigelt “Pradium”

Rich and juicy with black cherry, chocolate and vanilla taking charge from the beginning then adding a big mocha finish for its finale.

Paul Achs 2012 Zweigelt “Alte Reben”

These 28-45 year old vines produce lots of red fruit: strawberry and cherry with a somewhat jammy yet juicy element, acidity swings in for balance on the finish.

For more wine suggestions, see our other #WineWednesday posts
ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Michael is an award-winning journalist: Promoting the Promoters Award Cuvée 2010 and Ontario Wine Awards Journalist of the Year 2012.  He is also a national and international wine judge - Ontario Wine Awards, All Canadian Wine Championships; Best of Riesling — Germany; Essencia do Vinho — "Top Wines of Portugal".  He is currently the President of the Wine Writers Circle of Canada and the wine columnist for Ottawa Life and Grand magazine as well as regular contributor to Tidings, and Grapevine ... his reviews have also appeared in the LCBO Vintages magazine. Michael has also added a YouTube channel to his activities where he reviews bottles of great Ontario wine on a weekly basis. In whatever he does, it is Michael’s desire to educate, inspire and encourage others to grow their own love and enthusiasm for wine – and to realize that it is their palate that ultimately makes the decision.

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