Wine Tasting: A Taste Of Austria

Guys, I have a confession! No, my sex tape didn’t leak – I haven’t made one yet hahaha. I attended a wine tasting like two weeks ago and I suddenly feel like a wine sommelier. I will be sitting at the restaurant scrutinizing the wine menu applying the knowledge I remember from that day and attempting to engage the hosts in a somewhat ‘I know my wines’ discourse lol.

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Photo courtesy:Debirdz creations

I have been meaning to attend a wine tasting for the longest time ever but that didn’t happen until recently when I received an invite from Wine2Africa (thanks Elizabeth) who had noticed my keen interest in wine from my Instagram page.

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Wine2Africa is a merchant from Austria and is the exclusive exporters of fine Austrian wine to Africa. They have partnered with several Kenyan distributors to introduce Austrian wine to Kenya. Not from the internationally known varieties such as Pinot Blanc, Riesling or Chardonnay but from the precious portfolio of local grape varieties.

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Pinot Noir

At the top of the list is Gruner Veltliner with a white variety consisting of one-third of Austria’s vineyards. Other varieties include Welschriesling, Neuburger, Rotgipfler all under the white category of grapes. The red varieties include Zweigelt, St.Laurent und Blauer and Wildbacher.

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Kracher Zwischen den Seen

Back to the wine tasting, we got to sample a couple of wine bottles including sparkling, rose, white, red, dessert wine etc. The discussion that followed was interesting because the crowd was diverse, guys who are very knowledgeable about wine and those who don’t even know what a full-bodied wine is.

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Leth Gruner Veltliner – Pairs Well With Asian Cuisine

From learning about temperatures determining the freshness of wine, to tasting the difference in those fermented with the skin and pressed immediately or from the grapes harvested at -70 degrees it was a successful evening. I got to meet a couple of interesting people and I am looking forward to experimenting and attending a couple of more wine tasting.

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ZANTHO Zweigelt Photo courtesy: debirdz creations

In case you are wondering, Austria’s vineyards total 46,000 hectares representing 35 grape varieties – 22 white and 13 red – officially approved for the production of quality wine. Wine 2 Africa is yet to announce when the distributors including Chandarana and Nakumatt will bring in the Austrian wine, but Treats On A Budget will keep you updated.

Wine Tasting: Wines Of Austria
Red Wine – Fischer (Limited Edition)
Wine Tasting: Wines Of Austria
Sparkling Wine – HOCHRIEGL

Till The Next Treat!!!

 

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