AUSTRIA UNCORKED

How much do you know about Austrian wines?

Let’s start saying that for many thousand years Austria has been producing their wines in the same way keeping alive their own tradition related to their natural rural landscape.

Hallstatt, Austria (Andrew Bossi)

Austria offers wonderful opulent red wines like the Zweigelt, which is a non oaked full bodied wine with strong cherry aromas and delicate spice. They also produce the St. Laurent varietal which belongs to the Pinot family; fruity with aromas of blackberries and plums.

Regarding the Austrian white wine culture which is vast and famous you could find great aged wines that are produced in amazing terroirs like: the Grüner Veltliner, Riesling, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Grauburgunder.

Mariahilferstrasse, Vienna (Herbert Otner)

Nothing is better than paring Austrian cuisine, based on the traditions from the old Austro-Hungarian Empire and Austrian wines. They just match perfect! Traditional recipes that include rabbit, Tafelspitz (juicy cooked beef), Schweinsbraten (spiced port roast) and the famous Wiener Schnitzel (breaded veal or pork cutlets) are better enjoyed with their own local wines.

Today is becoming more frequent to find top restaurants in New York, Tokyo and Hong Kong that are including top Austrian wines to their wine lists as they match better with Asian dishes. Any fish appetizer or the classic Dim Sum and spring rolls would match better with a robust Grüner Veltliner due to its sharp flavor and well integrated acidity that refreshes the palate.

If you are like me and you love sushi and tuna, next time upgrade your wine taste and experience a top notch Austrian wine!



City of Salzburg, Austria (Thomas Pintaric)