WTN: 2007 Budget Austrians

[David M. Bueker]

Last night as part of a tasting even with Terry Theise at Table & Vine in Massachusetts we sampled 4 inexpensive Austrian wines. (German wines will be in a separate thread.)

2007 Ecker Zweigelt (Wagram)
Red fruit and a bit of an earthy character. Lots of cherries on the palate & a little bit of the plastic strip from a band-aid. Very easy to drink. Good value at $10 for a full liter.

2007 Glatzer Zweigelt "Riedencuvee" (Carnuntum)
A little bit more focused than the Ecker, but also a touch rounder due to its time in very old, large wood casks. Fruit is darker, but still on the fresh and friendly side. This seems like a wine that could stand in for a pretty good Cru Beaujolais. It's also competitive in that range at $17.99.

2007 Ecker Gruner Veltliner (Wagram)
Like its Zweigelt stablemate, under screwcap & $10 for a full liter. Water from a spring stream mingled with pear fruit and some spice. Very refreshing and while not exciting, completely drinkable. It would be easy to go through a lot of this during a hot spell in the summer.

2007 Glatzer Gruner Veltliner "Dornenvogl" (Carnuntum)
Very pepper and also quite chalky. This has much more density of flavor and structure to its form than the Ecker. While it doesn't demand that you pay attention there would not be anything found lacking if you did. Very tasty. You can't really ask for much more for $17.99. (natural cork)

[Jenise]

Hmmm....I thought Terry was here (well, Seattle) on Monday. I had an invite to the tasting, but couldn't go.

[David M. Bueker]

Some of the growers were in Seattle. Terry did not go with them.

Thanks for the notes, David. Both of those are new producers for me and, with the decline of the exchange rate, budget Austrians are always welcome. Terry Theise's imprimatur is usually good enough for me to take a flier on a bottle, but hard data is always better.

Mark Lipton

[David M. Bueker]

I really liked the Glatzer Zweigelt. There's no way to sneak any into the house though, as it's too unusual.

There's no way to sneak any into the house though, as it's too unusual.

Laura exercises veto power over the wine purchases?

[David M. Bueker]

Not always, but she does have a point about the state of the cellar. You'll see.

...but she does have a point about the state of the cellar.

Yes, I suppose that is a legitimate reason to be concerned.

[David M. Bueker]

You, Salil and I can help to ease her mind.

You, Salil and I can help to ease her mind.

Not a bad strategy!