IT

Quite obviously you never ever had one of Austria's better Pinot Gris.

M.

Michael,

Can you give me a few recommendations? In AZ/US, Austrian wines are usually GV, and those are few and far between. When traveling into less parochial areas of the world, I usually don't seek out this varietal, but from the comments thus far, feel I have short-changed myself and wish to make ammends.

TIA Hunt

True Michael, If I ever get over to Europe again, I'm sure I'll try to explore GV and other Austrian wines. I almost did that in 1995 after Vin Italy but had to return to the US. Other then Terry Thiese and Vin Divino good Austrian wines don't make it into my area. Unfortunately I'm restricted in my tasting these days but if I see an opportunity to taste some GV and Pinot Gris, I'll try to do it. Some of the Brendelmeyer sweet wines I had in the late 1970's and 80's were quite good. Then some scandal occurred as it did with Italy and there was a long interim period with little or no Austrian wine imported into our area. In 1999 I got some Austrian samples from a group of wineries and had good results sampling retail accounts and I visited Wein-Bauer in Chicago another importer, but about then my health and broker business were on the demise and I never followed up. I'm glad to see the resurgence of Austian wine in the US and hope to have a chance to reacquaint myself with them.

Another misidentification- I think they discovered a lot of what they thought was pinot blanc in CA was actually Melon (Muscadet)

Gustav Krug, Gumpoldskirchen Josef Lentsch, Podersdorf Winkler-Hermaden, Schloss Kapfenstein Hannes Harkamp, St. Nikolai im Sausal Erwin Sabathi, Leutschach Lackner-Tinnacher, Gamlitz

No idea about their presence on export markets, however.

M.

Glad to hear that! Note that you are always welcome here in Vienna.

M.

None of these producers are listed in the Maryland Beverage Journal's index. The Journal lists all the producers registered in the state. Occasionally, a wholesaler will forget to update this index but it is reasonably accurate.

Washington DC stores can buy direct, without a wholesaler, so I have no idea of what Austrian wines are offered there.

Michael,

Thank you. I can do the research on availabilites and, if necessary, get one of my suppliers on the West Coast (US) to get atleast some of these. Just knowing where to start, and (my) not damning an entire varietal, because of less than rewarding experiences is worth it.

I found a similar situation existed years ago. From the Alsace, I had only tasted the lesser Trimbach offerings. After many disappointing tastings, I wrote of the entire region. Then someone stuck a few Zind-Humbrechts into my shopping cart and I fell in love.

I think a similar set of circumstances exist with most Europeans trying CA/US wines. Most don't have ready access to the better ones, and all of the overpriced Mondavi Woodbridge leaves them cold, hence they feel that the winemaking in CA is poor, at best - and greatly overpriced.

Again, thank you for your recommendations,

Hunt

I feel that AZ/US may also not have access to many/most of these, but am hoping that retailers, such as K&L can get them. At least I have a list of producers to keep my eyes open for.

Hunt

You're welcome!

M.