Learn to drink beyond Bordeaux
From Austria’s celebrated Grüner Veltliner to Japan’s intriguing varieties, you’ll find detailed guides, insider tips, and my top picks for each country. It’s all about broadening your wine horizons and finding those special bottles that are off the beaten path.
Curious about what’s next? Stay tuned as I add more exciting wine regions and discoveries. Whether you’re planning your next wine journey or just looking to try wine beyond Bordeaux, this is your one-stop shop for exploring the world of wine!
Cheers to new discoveries and expanding your wine world!
-
Blauburgunder vs Pinot Noir
The tradition of Pinot Noir in Austria has been long-standing since the 14th century when Cistercian monks brought the vines to Mönchhof. However, the warmer climate in zones like Gols means that the vines require protection from excessive sun exposure or deleafing. While Austria’s Pinot Noir may differ from Burgundy‘s due to the unique growing conditions, the long tradition and…
-
How long can you keep Zweigelt wine?
Zweigelt is a new variety selected in 1922 by Dr. Fritz Zweigelt, LFZ Klosterneuburg, from St. Laurent and Blaufränkisch. Its dissemination is due to the fact that Lenz Moser planted the variety in high culture on a large scale and recommended it to other winegrowers. Towards the end of the last century, when areas cultivated for red wines were extended,…
-
What is Rotgipfler?
Austria boasts an impressive selection of wines made from globally celebrated grape varieties like Riesling, Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay, Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains, Traminer, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah. However, the assortment of indigenous grape varieties is even more noteworthy. The term “indigenous” refers to grape varieties that have originated almost exclusively in a particular region through natural…
-
Is Blaufränkisch sweet?
Blaufränkisch was first documented in the 18th century in Austria, while in Germany it appeared later under the names Lemberger or Limberger, deriving from the town of Limberg (now Maissau) in northern Austria. In Hungary, it goes by the name Kékfrankos. This ancient indigenous grape variety is a result of crossing Blaue Zimmerttraube and Weisser Heunisch. Blaufränkisch has been used…
-
Is Grauburgunder the same as Chardonnay?
While Austria does have an impressive selection of globally celebrated grape varieties like Riesling, Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay, Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains, Traminer, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah, it is the range of indigenous grape varieties that is particularly noteworthy. These “indigenous” grapes have originated almost exclusively in a particular region through natural crossbreeding or mutations and have…
-
What are the red wines of Burgenland?
In the east of Austria lies Burgenland. The name means “land of castles” in German and it comes from the fact that the region was once home to many castles and fortresses. It was part of the Kingdom of Hungary until the end of WWI, when it became part of Austria following the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. This meant…
-
What to eat with Blaufränkisch?
The cuisine of Austria, known as the “Viennese” cuisine, is incredibly diverse due to the many influences that the Austro-Hungarian Empire has experienced over the centuries, including French, Italian, Turkish, Balkan, Eastern European, and German. You will find a large variety of ingredients such as wild mushrooms (Schwammerl), white asparagus, artichokes, and root vegetables, as well as offal, alpine cheeses,…
-
How do you identify a Blauer Zweigelt red wine from Austria?
Austria is best known for the quality of its dry or sweet white wines, made from both autochthonous Grüner Veltliner and Riesling or botrytised dessert wines from Welschriesling. However, it also produces many excellent red wines made from local grape varieties such as Blauer Zweigelt and Blaufränkisch. In fact, Blauer Zweigelt is even the most common red grape variety in…
-
What is the leading grape variety of Austria?
Austria is best known for the quality of its white wines, made from both native Grüner Veltliner and Riesling. In Austria, grape varieties don’t respect political boarders. If you want to know why, check out my post on the history of wine in Austria. For instance, Grüner Veltliner is found in Hungary as well. A quick word on climate :…
-
Should Zweigelt be chilled?
Hey there! Heard there’s some debate about chilling Zweigelt! When it comes to the serving temperature of red wines, a longstanding debate exists, and Zweigelt, an Austrian red grape variety, finds itself at the center of this discussion. The question arises: Should Zweigelt be chilled? While conventionally red wines are enjoyed at room temperature or slightly below, there is a…
