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!
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What grape is Sekt made from?
Sekt, a sparkling wine widely enjoyed in Germany and other parts of Europe, is made from a variety of grape types carefully selected for for the production of Qualitätswein. There are 40 of them, 26 are white and 14 are red. The choice of grape varieties plays a crucial role in defining the flavor, aroma, and overall character of Sekt.…
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What does DAC stand for in wine?
Let’s explore the DAC world of Austria! The Qualitätswein designation in Austria authorizes 40 authorized grape varieties and can originate from nine generic wine regions (what I called areas in the most famous wine regions of Austria) named after administrative regions, as well as specific wine regions within these areas. The main generic wine regions (or areas) are Niederösterreich (Lower…
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What are the major quality levels of Austrian wine?
A very important characteristic (although not the only one) for distinguishing various levels of quality is the natural sugar content of grapes at harvest. This natural sugar content is referred to as the ‘must density’ of grapes or unfermented must. DEFINITION : The terms “grape must” and “partially fermented grape must (or Sturm)” are defined by European Union legislation and…
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What is Bergland in Austria?
Like you may have read earlier, Austria is mainly covered by the Alps. This explains why the most famous wine regions in Austria are located at the east of the country. However, just like in Jurassic Park 2 “Life will always find a way”, so does wine! Take a sneak peak in France and the Alps : there is produced…
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Vienna wines
Move over Bordeaux, Chianti, and Napa Valley because Vienna takes the crown as the ultimate winemaking capital of the world! Surprising, right? According to Fritz Weininger, one of Vienna’s esteemed winemakers, “In Vienna, we don’t just drink wine, we devour it!” The roots of Vienna’s vineyards stretch back to the 12th century, possibly even earlier when everyone from the Celts…
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Südsteiermark wines
Steiermark, also referred to as Styria, is an enchanting wine region in Austria, featuring three separate wine zones: Vulkanland, Weststeiermark, and Südsteiermark. Steiermark has a long and illustrious viticulture heritage that goes back to ancient times. In 2018, all three wine zones achieved the DAC designation, establishing the characteristic white wines and emphasizing the significance of indigenous grape varieties. Forget…
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Weststeiermark wines
Steiermark, also known as Styria, is a picturesque wine region in Austria with three distinct wine zones: Vulkanland, Weststeiermark, and Südsteiermark. It has a rich viticultural history dating back to ancient times and offers a diverse range of grape varieties and wine styles. In 2018, all three wine zones obtained the DAC appellation, defining the typical white wines and highlighting…
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Vulkanland Steiermark wines
Steiermark, which is also known as Styria, is a picturesque wine region in Austria renowned for its exquisite grape varieties that are fresh, vibrant, and elegant. Spanning across 4,630 hectares of vineyards, the majority of which are situated in the southern part of the region, Steiermark offers a unique and unparalleled selection of wines across its three distinct wine zones:…
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Steiermark wines
Located in the southern part of Austria, Steiermark is one of the country’s four main wine regions. While Austria is renowned for its high-quality dry white wines, particularly Grüner Veltliner and Riesling, Styria presents different styles of wine with different grape varieties. International grape varieties, such as Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay will dominate the scene. Styria, a beautiful wine region…
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Rosalia wines
Burgenland‘s terroir encompasses a wide range of wine styles, with notable sweet wines crafted around the lake thanks to shallow waters, autumn mists, and the presence of noble rot. The slopes of Leithaberg, Eisenberg, and Mittelburgenland, characterized by limestone, clay, and schist soils, create ideal conditions for the production of red wines, offering excellent water retention and drainage. The implementation…
