Rainer Wess Gruner Veltliner, Kremstall DAC 2021

 

Wine Rainer Wess Gruner Veltliner, Kremstall DAC 2021		Tasting Date 28-03-2023
Appearance	Clarity - clear; Intensity - pale; Colour - lemon Observations - legs/tears visible
Nose	Condition - clear; Intensity - medium (-) Aroma characteristics - primary (quince and peach) Development - developing
Palate	Sweetness - dry ; Acidity - high; Alcohol - medium Body - medium (-); Flavour intensity - medium Flavour characteristics - primary (quince, and stone fruit, peach) Finish - medium
Assessmentof quality	Good - balance of freshness and flavours, developing
Level ofreadiness fordrinking	Can drink now but has potential for ageing

Austria - September 2014: Schafberg

Schutzhaus Himmelspforte

What a day to go up the Schafberg! The sun was shining and the air was beautifully clear. We took the mountain railway up the mountain and walked the shortish distance to the top.

The views were breathtaking, it was amazing just how far we could see in all directions and all from the comfort of an Austrian mountain sports hut.

The station at the bottom of the mountain.

On our way up the mountain. The gradient was unbelievable - but the rack and cog of the railway is designed to cope with this steep gradient.

A welcome drink ahead - it was hot!

The mountain sports hut - weather worn and with panoramic views. It would assume a very different character in other weather conditions.

The 'schutehaus himmelspforte'.

At last, that refreshing drink of Zipfer beer. A truly outstanding location from which to enjoy a cool beer!

Austria - September 2014: Seeboeckenhotel Zum Weissen Hirschen

Seeboeckenhotel Zum Weissen Hirschen

The busy terrace outside the Seeboeckenhotel Zum Weissen Hirschen offered an atmospheric lunch setting with magnificent views across the lake.

Artic char stuffed with herbs and served simply with potatoes.

An Austrian chicken dish in fresh delicate breadcrumbs.

Austria - September 2014: Stiegel Keller, Salzburg

Stieglkeller, Salzburg

The walk up to Salzburg castle is well worthwhile. Only walking up the narrow approach to the castle do you fully realise just how well designed was this famous castle.

Just below the castle is the famous Steiglkeller. Salzburg is the home of Steigl beer and this beer kellar stands in a unique loaction overlooking the rooftops of this famous city.

A view from the Steigl Kellar.

Pumpkin soup with added kurbis oil (pumpkin oil)

The Steigl colours are everywhere.

I was beaten by this lunch!

Austria - September 2014: Im Weissen Rossl

Im Weissen Rossl

Im Weissen Rossl (The White Horse) is one of the most famous hotels in Austria. It wonderful location on a lake amid the mountains and lakes of the Salzkammergut it truly wonderful.

A band were playing traditional Austrian music on our first night in the hotel.

The Zweigelt (von Haus) - a bottle of the house Zweigelt.

We had traditional soup to start.

And a small display (trio) of cakes to finish.

Austria - September 2014: Lunch in the rain

St Wolfgang - Lunch in the rain

When we arrived in St Wolfgang, it had been raining for most of the summer. On our first day it rained very heavily all day but this was not too much of a problem after all the travelling of the previous day (only arriving at the hotel late in the evening). What we did not now was that the weather was about to change to glorious (and unusually hot) sunshine. So on our first Sunday morning we ventured out into the heavy rain and quickly found shelter in a local hotel/inn..

I was very keen to taste the local food. As usual it took me only a few seconds to speed scan the menu and decide on my lunch, which would be pike/perch!

Although it was cool and raining we had been so looking forward to being able to drink Austrian wines again that we just had to order a bottle of Blaufrankish.

My wife had venison which was cooked simply and well. This was a lovely start to our holiday.

Feiler-Artinger - Blaufrankisch 2011

Feiler-Artinger

Blaufrankisch 2011
Rust am see, Burgenland

We enjoyed this wonderfully welcoming and familiar wine (from our previous visit to Austria) on the first night of our recent city break, staying at the Die Port Van Cleve in Amsterdam. The quality and freshness of these Austrian wines are recognised across Europe but unfortunately not here in the UK. For those fortunate enough to drink them, they are just so refreshingly easy to drink, yet have good fruit and freshness.