Austria Archives - It Must Be Wine O'clock

An Austrian wine with a little sparkle

Grüner Veltliner, Von den Terrassen, Winzer Krems, Niederösterreich 2020 (Austria)

Compared to other European wine regions, Austrian wines are often overlooked and underrated. That’s a pity because there are some real delights to be found. This Grüner Veltliner from Niederösterreich (Lower Austria) is a good example. A fresh, elegant wine produced from grapes grown on the loess terraces along the banks of the Danube in the Wachau Valley, it has all the characteristics of Austria’s signature white grape variety.

Pronounced aromas of blossom, apple and peach, and a touch of white pepper on the nose lead to a delicious burst of apple, lemon, peach and nectarine on the palate. A tinge of effervescence adds a little sparkle to the mix and the mineral notes and refreshing acidity make for a very well-balanced wine.

A dry wine with a lengthy finish, this is a perfectly pleasant wine to drink by itself, or as the ideal match for Wiener Schnitzel. We enjoyed it with Japanese tonkatsu (breaded pork cutlet) and it was just the ticket.

Available from Majestic £11.99, (Mix Six £9.99)

A is for Austria, Z is for Zweigelt

Although Austria is perhaps best known for its white wines, notably Grüner Veltliner and Riesling, it also produces some very good red wines from local grape varieties such as Zweigelt and Blaufränkisch, and a distinctive rosé (Schilcher) made from the indigenous Blauer Wildbacher grape in Western Styria.

Zweigelt is the most widely planted black grape variety in Austria but is a relatively new grape variety. It is a cross between Blaufränkisch and St Laurent, created in 1922 by Dr Friedrich “Fritz” Zweigelt, and typically produces deeply coloured reds with soft tannins and black fruit flavours. The St Laurent brings bright cherry aromas, and from Blaufränkisch, the wines take on a slightly spicy character and fresh acidity. If you like Pinot Noir, you should give Zweigelt a try.

Zweigelt, Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference (2018)

This Zweigelt from Sainsbury’s is a perfectly good example of Austria’s signature red wine variety. Produced by the Huber family, now into their tenth generation as wine producers in Niederösterreich (Lower Austria), the wine has aromas of tomato leaf, cherry, plum and blackberry on the nose, and flavours of plum and bramble on the palate, with a dash of spiciness and a hint of smokiness.

It is a well-balanced wine with medium (+) acidity, medium tannins and a medium (+) finish. A good match for lamb and poultry dishes. We have tried it with moussaka, and roast chicken, and it has worked very well.

Currently on offer at Sainsbury’s. £8

Three recent discoveries to tempt your palate this New Year …

Why not try something different this New Year? Here are three interesting wines to tempt your palate …

Wishing you all a Happy, Healthy and Peaceful New Year and looking forward to sharing new discoveries with you in 2021!

Felsner Moosburgerin Grüner Veltliner 2019 (Austria)

For something a little different this New Year, this Grüner Veltliner white wine from Niederösterreich (Lower Austria) serves as an excellent aperitif and is a very good match for a seafood dish. A dry wine with medium (+) acidity, it has aromas of apple, pear, lemon and grapefruit, with a hint of pepper and peach on the palate. It is well-balanced and has a long finish, and is a very good example of the high-quality yet reasonably priced wines you can find from Austria these days. Waitrose £12.49

Carménère 2019, Rapel Valley (Chile) M&S Classics 27

This M&S Classic Carménère 2019 is a very good example of Chile’s signature wine variety. A dry wine with medium (+) acidity, medium (+) tannins and medium (+) body, it has pronounced aromas of blackcurrant and blackberry with notes of vanilla, cedar and menthol on the nose; and hints of chocolate, spice and plum on the palate. The wine has a medium (+) finish and will pair very well with a hearty meat dish and/or roasted vegetables. It’s a steal at £8. Marks & Spencer.

Le Sabbie Dell’Etna Rosso, DOC Etna 2018 (Italy)

Italian wines never fail to surprise (and delight) me, and this is a little gem. Dry, with high acidity and medium tannins, this wine from the slopes of Sicily’s Mt Etna is a blend of Nerrelo Mascalese and Nerrelo Cappucio, and has pronounced aromas of redcurrant and red cherry, with hints of cedar and a touch of earthiness, on the nose, and intense flavours of raspberry and redcurrant, spice and cloves on the palate. A medium-bodied wine with a medium (+) finish. If you are looking for something to brighten up your new year, this is it! Waitrose (£12.99)