Austrian wine(s) recommendation

A "Gewuerztraminer" would do for one and a "Blauburgunder" from Tattendorf or "Zweigelt" surely for the other. More to chose from.

I am far from the most authoritative voice in alt.food.wine on Austrian wines, but I will suggest that you look for Grüner Veltliners and Rieslings, the two top white wines of Austria. Top producers are FX Pichler, Nikolaihof, Prager, Knoll, Nigl. You should be able to find their 2004s for $30 or less in Vienna, though some of their most powerful wines may run to more money. With luck, one of our Austrian contingent will chime in to provide the names of some good Viennese retailers.

Mark Lipton

DK wrote in news:dcjilb$llt$ snipped-for-privacy@news.doit.wisc.edu:

As Mark wrote, I would choose typical Austrian varietals like Grüner Veltliner (if you want to go white) or Blaufränkisch (for a red). You will find very good and typical examples within your price range (Mark mentioned a lot of good producers, personally I really like the wines of Martin Nigl!)

For the sweet wine, look for Beerenauslesen or Trockenbeerenauslesen from Burgenland. There are lots of good producers besides Kracher.

Regarding shops: The biggest chain of wine stores in Vienna is Wein und Co. They have several outlets scattered around the city. The selection is pretty nice but prices are on the higher side. A good place to look for the usual Austrian suspects anyway.

Their website:

Another shop, specializing on the wines of Niederösterreich (which includes the Wachau) is VINOE in the 8th disctrict. Quite good selection, nice prices (mostly smaller wineries).

There are a couple of wine shops in the center of the city but -as usual- they are rather expensive.

Hope that helps!

Robert (from Vienna)

Top selections are to be found in the wine boutiques of two top restaurants: "Weinarchiv" in "Restaurant im Palais Coburg", and the wine cellar at "Meinl am Graben", the latter being something like Vienna's Harrod's or Fauchon.

They are not the cheapest, however, but you can be sure to get the wines much sought after.

Then there is "Vinothek am Stephansplatz", the nucleus of fine wine shoppping in Vienna, with a fine selection and a very knowledgeable staff.

M.

A few producers of sweet wines from Burgenland to keep your eye out for: Angerhof Tschida Helmut Lang Feiler-Artinger Franz Heiss Wenzel Velich

Of particular interest might be the Tschida wines, as they are extremely difficult to find here in the US (as opposed to the latter 4 on the list, which folks here know that my company imports and therefore if you purchase them here, I would benefit) Try to find one of Tschida's Schilfweins, where the grapes have been laid out on reed mats to dry for several months before being pressed- they are exquisite!

e.

Please value Herr P's advice. He does know what he is talking about, and is generous to provide it here.

-- Max

When I was in Vienna last November, they gave you a discount in the wine store if you ate and drank there before shopping. 10% of your dining bill. They have lots of wine by the glass, so you can try before you buy.

Dave

One of them is located centrally, off the Graben and conveniently near Zur Schwarzen Kameel (Eng. "Black Camel"), a café frequented by busy locals (for

That's exactly I and others did in 1993 en route to the gala grand opening of the Wein & Co. chain there, where many local wine experts were gathering on that day (and where in short sequence I met, and Hr. Prónay may appreciate this, Helmut Romé, and immediately afterwards found an ORF camera in my face which is how I came to be on Austrian TV), however things are not usually quite so surprising there although the wine offerings may still harbor surprises. The chain has become well established since then.

Cheers -- Max

Sounds like fun!

All replies printed out and will be thoroughly studied on location :-)

DK

Yes, though one can do a better job in such situations with advance warning, in my opinion. Sometimes people get even less warning, as in the following example. I did not know that I was on the US television _Biography_ program about Julia Child (a beloved cookbook author and TV cook) until after it aired. I had talked casually to her in 1996 ("I saw you when you first appeared on TV." / "You must have started cooking very young!"). In 1997, the _Biography_ episode was broadcast, and I wanted to watch the biography, but being busy I taped it, and viewed it six weeks or so later, at leisure, with a cup of tea. Part of which ended up on me, as I remember, when I saw myself. (That could be called less than zero notice.)

Have a good visit. When in Vienna, be sure to make a pilgrimage for more-casual open-faced sandwiches at Trzesniewski's. Near the other places mentioned. Kafka ate there I believe, and virtually everyone who has been a visiting student. More info at

-- Max

Note that this shop (Habsburgergasse) has closed down and moved three walking minutes to the very center of the town next to Stephansplatz (Jasomirgottstrasse 3-5).

M.

Off Graben, Dorotheergasse, opposite Café Hawelka.

M.