Wine & Spirits List - Riviera Wine 2020-2021

94
OTHER EUROPE
Austria
Germany
Portugal
Spain
AUSTRIA
Absolutely stunning white wines are produced in Austria from its
signature grape variety Gruner Veltliner. This charming grape produces
refreshing, tangy wines with aromas of green fruits and white pepper.
Riesling grown here is much fuller bodied that the German wines due
to the warmer climate. Much of the hype surrounding Gruner Veltliner
comes from a series of blind tastings in which Austria’s leading Gruner
Veltliners were pitched against top Chardonnays from around the world,
including some white Burgundies. Remarkably, the panel of judges voted
the Austrian wines into seven of the top 10 places. So, why not go ahead
and surprise your guests with something different?
GERMANY
RIVIERA WINE OT HER EUROPE
There is a secret world of fine wine in Germany. Riesling is famous here,
growing perfectly on the steep south-facing hillsides around the River
Mosel and River Rhine. The grape has a lovely refreshing acidity and
during the long, dry autumns is able to develop intense concentrated
fruit flavours and build up high levels of sugar. Whilst many Rieslings
have some sweetness, there are dry ones usually signified by the term
“Trocken” on the label. Riesling is easily affected by noble rot, which can
create very golden, honeyed, sweet wines called “Beerenauslese” and
“Trockenbeerenauslese”. Because of the high levels of sugar and acidity
in German Rieslings, these wines age fantastically, developing honeyed,
nutty and sometimes even petrol aromas.