Relatively Inexpensive Trockenbeerenauslese suggestions

The areas in Austria around the Neusieder See (a shallow lake on the Austrian-Hungarian border) have a climate that makes it possible to have TBAs on a fairly regular basis, and thus the cost of some can be less than in many area of Germany where making a TBA is a much less common event. Some very good, as well as some rather commercial, late harvest wines are made here. One of the regulars in ths group from Austria probably will be along to give you specific suggestions. My knowledge of this region is out of date, since I have not bought wines from it in recent years. Anyway, the Austrians make sweet late harvest wines, including TBA, from a large number of white, and sometimes even red, grapes. I nearly think that someone must have at least tried to make a late harvest wine from every good wine grape grown in Austria! Some outstanding TBAs have been made in other parts of Austria most noted for dry table wines, but they often are more rare and expensive. If you have not done so, I also suggest that you taste a Hungarian Tokaji Aszu of 5 Puttonyos richness. If you like the TBA style, you might also like this very rich late harvest Hungarian wine.

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Now that we know you are in the USA in the Washington DC area, I did a little searching. I did not find a store in your area that has the wine, but there could well be one. If you go to

and put in "Hopler" for the wine name, you will find a few vintages and a few TBAs in the US. Most of these sell for the about US$ 30 to 50 for a half- bottle. Some of the stores will ship. I had no luck with Lenz Moser TBA. However go to and select imported wines on the left and then Austria. This company has about 15 Austrian TBAs from Alois Kracher from about 1988 to 2001 at about $50 to $80 per half-bottle. Many consider these the best Austrian TBAs that can be obtained in the US. Although they are expensive, they are not nearly as expensive as some of the top German TBAs. The Brown Derby is in Missouri and will ship all over the US when allowed to do so. I bought some wine from them several years ago without problems.

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8.8% would make it a rather strong vinegar. 8.8‰ or 8.8 grams/liter is the correct figure.

Hey, these are *my* tasting notes!

M.

"Pannobile" is not at all a cooperative! It's a group of individual growers, all growing wines they like. The only thing in common is that they all vinify a white and/or a red "Pannobile", usually a oak-vinified blend of (in majority) local grape verieties.

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"Across the border" is relative. True, in fact, but on the other side of of the country, in the northeastern corner, bordering Slovakia and the Ukraine.

M.

"Pannobile" is not at all a cooperative! It's a group of individual growers, all growing wines they like. The only thing in common is that they all vinify a white and/or a red "Pannobile", usually a oak-vinified blend of (in majority) local grape verieties.

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"Across the border" is relative. True, in fact, but on the other end of of the country, in the northeastern corner, bordering Slovakia and the Ukraine.

M.

Why do you think I chose to share the notes form A La Carte? I wish we had your notes for ALL of our wines! e.

Right. I'll put "group" or something more precise in my final version. Thanks!

I had a Austrian TBA the other night for a "dirt cheap" price of $18.99 at a Total Beverage store. The name is 2001 Weingut Schiechtl Pinot Blanc TBA from Neusiedlersee. Imported by Deutsch and Sons.

Perhaps the wine is not as balanced or has as much finesse as the more expensive wines but it sure did impress my wife (the most) and I liked it as well.

The above experience is what initiated my question because for a price between $19 and $30, I thought "wow, much better than champagne".

Mark

Wow. $18.99 for a TBA is really inexpensive for here in the States, if it was as drinkable as you say. I know we (winemonger) have some incredible Beerenauslese wines closer to that range (including a Sauvignon Blanc from Heiss for $19.99 which scored 90 points from Wine Enthusiast), but no TBA's. I'm not familiar with Schiechtl. But I'd say if you liked it, you should go back and buy more. e.

Never heard from him.

M.