Trade Tasting Event: Austrian Annual Wine Trade Fair, April 15, 2008

The Time and Date: Tuesday, April 15, 2008   12 PM to 4 PM

The Event: Austrian Annual Wine Trade Fair

The Venue: Rosehill Venue Lounge

The Target Audience: wine trade

The Availability/Catalogue: the Austrian wine catalogue has always been a model of perfection. Everything you could possibly want is in it, with listings of wineries, importers, contacts, page and table numbers, grape varietals, ABVs, vintages, etc. with few errors. The only missing are the prices and the correct availability of the wine (Vintages, consignment, private orders). Given the nature of the Austrian wine business, most wines in Ontario are here on consignment or by private order, and prices thus fluctuate.

The Quote: "Hey the catalogue says that this tasting runs from 12AM to 4 PM – that's a long tasting…It's actually a sleepover!"

The Wines: I was unable to get around to all the tables, and I cherry picked my way through the red and sweet wines.

 

**** Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):

-Bründlmayer Grüner Veltliner Alte Reben 2006 (13.5% ABV)

-Brundlmayer Riesling Alte Reben 2001 (14% ABV)

-Kamptaler Terrassen Gruner Veltliner 2007

-Schloss Gobelsberg Grüner Veltliner Tradition 2005

-Kurt Angerer Grüner Veltliner Spies Reserve 2007

-Nigl Gruner Veltliner Senftenberger 2007

 

***1/2 Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):

-Salomon Gruner Veltliner Lindberg Reserve 2006 (13.9% ABV)

-Walter Skoff Sauvignon Blanc Hochsultz 2006

-Walter Skoff Sauvignon Blanc Obegg Reserve 2006

-Walter Skoff Royal Sauvignon Blanc 2006

-Weingut Stadlmann Rotgipfler Tagelsteiner 2006 Thermenregion

-Leth Zweigelt Gigama Reserve 2006 Wagram.

-Kurt Angerer Riesling Donatus Reserve 2007 (13.5% ABV)

-Nigl Riesling Senftenberger 2007 (13% ABV)

-Aichinger Riesling Von den Terrassen 2006 (13% ABV)

-Petra Unger Gruner Veltliner Alte Reben Oberfeld Reserve 2007 (13.5% ABV)

-Allram Riesling Zobinger Reserve 2006 (14% ABV)

-Zahel Cuvee Weiss Gemischter Satz Reserve 2006 (13.8%)

 

*** Three Stars (85 – 87 in Quality/Price Rating terms):

-Weingut Loimer Riesling Terrassen 2006 (13.5% ABV)

-Sattlerhof Chardonnay (Morillon) Barrique 2003 (14% ABV, wood aged)

-Moorhof Unger Muskat Ottonel 2006 (12% ABV)

-Stift Klosterneuberg Gewurztraminer Klassik 2006 (13% ABV)

-Allram Gruner Veltliner Strasser Gaisberg 2006 (14%)

-Leth Riesling Wagram Terrassen Reserve 2007 (13.5% ABV)

-Felsner Riesling Rohrendorfer Gebling 2006 (13% ABV)

 

The Food: basic blue, cheddar, Grana Padano, brie-clone, often served too cold, with crackers and breads.

The Downside: a large room, but it was still not too crowded.

The Upside: plenty of time to talk with principals.

The Contact Person: Birgitta Samavarchian toronto@austriantrade.org

The Effectiveness (numerical grade): 87.

 

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com