Vinaria is an Austrian wine magazine, that I’ve never seen in the States. Of course, it’s written in German which somewhat limits its appeal here. A one-year subscription to the paper copy would cost me 49Euro, a hefty price, but at least for the time being, it is available free electronically on the iPad platform. And like most modern publications these days, they offer a lot, but not all, of their content on their website. Vinaria Magazine
Sweet wines of Burgenland
There is a nice article in the current issue (1/2013) called, “Prädikatsweine, Süße Versuchungen”, “Prädikat Wines, Sweet Temptations”. It features an interview with Gerhard Kracher, perhaps the most widely known winemaker of Austrian sweet wines and particularly renown for his “Collection” wines of Trockenbeerenauslese grapes. Several wines from his recently released 2010 line (there are more than 11 distinct wines from a wide variety of grapes), made it into Vinaria’s “Toplist”.
- 18.1 pts 2010 Scheurebe TBA No. 10 Zwischen den Seen
- 17.4 2010 Welschriesling TBA No. 7 Zwischen den Seen
- 17.2 *2010 Welschriesling TBA No. 11 Zwischen den Seen
- 16.5 *2010 Scheurebe TBA No. 3 Zwischen den Seen
- 16.5 *2010 Grand Cuvée TBA No. 6 Novelle Vague
Notably, we tasted and bought Number 3, 6, 11 when we were visited Weinlaubenhof Kracher in Illmitz. Do not hesitate to buy any Kracher wine, should you find it.
Also faring well in the ratings was Paul Schandl of Weingut Peter Schandl in Rust.
- 17.1 pts 2010 Cuvée BA
“8.5% alc, 214 g/1 RS. Great body and volume. beautifully matured. Raisins, wild honey, baked apple, notes of mint, toasty, unready; considerable body for a Beerenauslese, dense dried apricot-orange fruit, deep skillfully balanced between strong sweetness and edgy acidity, appropriately structured, very long lasting.” - 15.1 2010 Pinot BA
“9% alc, 152 g/1 RS. Initially very closed, broad, seems almost oxidative. Blows off, then lush mango-grapefruit, chanterelle mushrooms; good substance, the residual sugar is buffered by
racy acidity, exotic, a lot of lemon, at the moment contradictory.”
Schandl makes wonderful wines. It’s a shame that most wine reviews are of just released wines. Paul Schandl’s wine show beautifully with a little age.
Weingut Peter Schandl
Related posts:
Visit to Weingut Peter Schandl
The Great Sweet Wines of Austria
Visit to Weinlaubenhof Kracher