Unusual Wine Labels at Weingut-Heuriger Alter Bach-Hengl, Grinzing, Vienna

I spotted these unusual labels on bottles for sale in the windows at Weingut-Heuriger Alter Bach-Hengl in Grinzing, Vienna in July 2012 :

Website : Weingut-Heuriger Alter Bach-Hengl

Grinzinger Heuriger July 2012

Here are some pictures of some wine taverns located in Grinzing on the outskirts of Vienna.

TN : Reyneke Reserve 2007, Reyneke Wines, Stellenbosch, South Africa

The Reyneke label was created in 1998 when Johan Reyneke Jr. took over the farming activities from his mother and produced the first wines on the family farm, Uitzicht. The forty hectare farm faces the historic town of Stellenbosch and overlooks the surrounding mountain ranges and the beautiful False Bay. This is a biodynamic red wine blend of 70% Organic Syrah and 30% Organic Cabernet Sauvignon aged for 22 months in French oak. The total acidity is 5.4 grammes per litre, 2.4 grammes per litre residual sugar, and pH 3.78.

This wine was imported by Hjo Grosshandel AB.

Colour : Plummy red

Aroma : Plum, blackberry, blackcurrant, spice, oak, burnt toast, vanilla

Taste : Fruity and mouthwatering, plums, tobacco, blackberry, vanilla, burnt toast and oak on finish

Alcohol : 14%

Price : 249 SEK


Systembolaget Number : 92045

Mark : B+

Website : Reyneke Wines

TN : La Celia Reserve Pinot Noir 2009, Finca La Celia, Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina

The La Celia Reserva range of wines was created to pay tribute to Eugenio Bustos´s daughter, the founder of the winery. She inherited the property and the winery and ran it for nearly fivedecades.

This wine was sealed with a screwcap.

This wine was imported by Sigva AB.

Colour : Red

Aroma : Spice, raspberry, strawberry, herbs, dark chocolate

Taste : Strawberry, raspberry, spice, oak, dark chocolate

Alcohol : 13.5%

Price : 89 SEK

Systembolaget Number : 6593

Mark : C+

Website : Finca La Celia

TN : Bodega Piedra Negra Malbec Reserve 2010, J&F Lurton, Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina

This wine was sealed with a screwcap.

This wine was imported by The WineAgency Sweden AB.

Colour : Plummy red

Aroma : Blueberry, plums, herbs, coffee, violets

Taste : Plums, mint, blueberry, coffee

Alcohol : 14.5%

Price : 82 SEK

Systembolaget Number : 6051

Mark : C+

Website : Francois Lurton

TN : Wieninger Wiener Gemischter Satz 2011, Weingut Wieninger, Stammersdorf, Vienna, Austria

This wine has 6.6 grammes per litre of acidity and 1.0 grammes per litre of residual sugar. This wine was sealed with a screwcap.

Colour : Pale lemon/straw

Aroma : Earthy, pear drops, green apples

Taste : Lemon, nettles, minerals, sharp finish

Alcohol : 12.5%

Price : 9,90 Euro (Heinemann Duty Free Shop, Vienna Airport)

Mark : C

Website : Weingut Wieninger

TN : Marsannay Rose Domaine Clair-Dau 2011, Louis Jadot, Marsannay, Burgundy, France

Marsannay is situated on the outskirts of Dijon, three miles north of Gevrey Chambertin. This rose wine is 100% Pinot Noir and was fermented and aged in stainless steel vats. This wine was imported by Vinunic AB.

Colour : Strawberry, copper notes

Aroma : Strawberry, citrus, mineral

Taste : Strawberry, citrus, herbs, mineral and earthy on finish

Alcohol : 13%


Price : 129 SEK


Systembolaget Number : 95048

Mark : C

Website : Maison Louis Jadot

TN : Edition Chremisa Sandgrube 13 Blauer Zweigelt 2009, Winzer Krems, Krems, Austria

"Urbs Chremisa", the city of Krems an der Donau was first mentioned in the year 995. Edition Chremisa wines are created in honour of this. The acidity in this wine is 5.0 grammes per litre and the residual sugar is 5.7 grammes per litre. This wine received 87 points from Wine Spectator

Colour : Dark red, brown hues

Aroma : Blueberry, raspberry, spice, pepper, liqourice

Taste : Pinot-like, strawberry, white pepper, raspberry, blueberry, drying smooth tannins on finish

Alcohol : 13.5%

Price : 9,90 Euro (Heinemann Duty Free, Vienna International Airport)

Mark : B

Website :  Winzer Krems

TN : Zuccardi Q Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, Familia Zuccardi, Mendoza, Argentina

This wine had a sticker onit stating "90 PTS RP) which I suppose refers to Robert Parker. The winemaker was Ruben Ruffo.The grapes for this wine come from the La Consulta y Tupungato vineyards in Mendoza. All of the grapes for this wine were handpicked grapes in plastic boxes during the last week of March and first week of April 2007. Alcoholic fermentation was  in stainless steel tanks with delestage and pigeage at a temperature between 25 and 27 degrees. Followed by Maceration on skins for 20 days. The wine was then aged for 12 months in new French oak barrels; first use, medium toasted. There is 6.30 grammes per litre total acidity and 2.50 grammes per litre of residual sugar in the wines.

Colour : Blackcurrant/red

Aroma : Blackcurrant, cherry, black tea

Taste : Blackcurrant, cherry, coffee, black tea, smooth tannic finish

Alcohol : 14%

Price : 19,99 Euro (Wein & Co, Naschmarkt, Vienna, Austria)

Mark : B

Website : Zuccardi Wines

TN : Pinot Blanc 2007 Reisenberg, Weingut Cobenzl, Vienna, Austria

This wine was a gift from Georg Koeningsbauer, the cellar master of Weingut Cobenzel after my tour on July 15th 2012. Only 2000 bottles of this wine were produced. This wine was truly a "Mega" wine.

Colour : Yellow, brown hues

Aroma : Lemon, oak, peach

Taste : Lemon, peach, oak, almond, creamy texture, very fruity in keeping with the Cobenzl style

Alcohol : 14.5%

Price : 21 Euro (Direct from Weingut Cobenzl)

Mark : A-
 
Website : Weingut Wien Cobenzel

TN : Weininger Riesling Nussberg 2011, Weingut Wieninger, Stammersdorf, Vienna, Austria

The grapes for this Riesling Nussberg came from the Preussen on the Nussberg and, because of the small yields and high ripeness, from other vineyards on the Nussberg  at the Obere Schoss and Purgstall. The soils are comprised of weathered shell limestone with a limestone bedrock; chunks of limestone can be found on the surface as well.

The must underwent a five hour skin maceration, followed by pressing with a pneumatic press and finally fermentation in steel tanks with spontaneous yeast. The wine was matured for several months on the fine lees, and then bottled in April 2012.

This wine contains 6.1 grammes per litre of acid and 8.1 grammes per litre of residual sugar. This wine was sealed with a glasss stopper.

Colour : Pale yellow

Aroma : peach, apricot, minerals

Taste : Peach, apricot, lemon, oily rich texture, mineral

Alcohol : 13.5%

Price : 14,50 Euro (purchased at Weingut Wieninger)

Mark : B

Website : Weingut Wieninger

Wein & Co Bar, Naschmarkt, Vienna, Austria, July 16th 2012

We visited the Wein & Co Winebar in Naschmarkt again this evening for a swift slurp.

Gelber Muskateller 2011, G.u.R. Triebaumer
Taste : Fruity, zingy gooseberry, lemon, and peach
Alcohol : 12%
Mark : C  
Price : 4,50 Euro (1/8 litre)

Website : Wein & Co

TN : Wieninger Wiener Trilogie 2009, Weingut Wieninger, Stammersdorf, Vienna, Austria

The grapes for this Wiener Trilogie 2009 came mainly from Vienna's Bisamberg vineyards and two vineyards on the Nussberg. The soils of the Bisamberg are comprised of light, sandy loess over solid limestone, and the Nussberg features primarily weathered shell limestone, also over solid limestone

This wine is a blend of 70% Zweigelt, 15% Merlot, and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon all of which were harvested separately and at different times. The Zweigelt was harvested first, between the middle and end of September 2009, and the Cabernet was harvested last, at the end of October 2009. Each variety underwent its own fermentation on the skins as well as malolactic fermentation in large barrels. Each was then racked into barriques. Depending on the structure of the individual wine - a portion of new wood was used; 25% on average. The wines were matured in barriques for 15 months in the wine estates's sixteenth century cellar. After several more rackings, the components were blended to the final cuvée. This Wiener Trilogie 2009 was bottled in March of 2011.

There is 4.8 grammes per litre acid and 1.0 grammes per litre of residual sugar present. This wine was sealed with a glasss stopper.

Colour : Red, blue hues

Aroma : Smoky oak, blueberry, cherry, spice

Taste : Cherry, blueberry, raspberry, tangy, spice and slight white pepper on finish

Alcohol : 13%

Price : 11,50 Euro (purchased at Weingut Wieninger)

Mark : B-

Website : Weingut Wieninger

Wein & Co Bar, Naschmarkt, Vienna, Austria, July 15th 2012

We visited the Wein & Co Winebar in Naschmarkt this evening. The wine bar is located in the same complex as the wine shop and has plenty of seating both inside and outside.

Here are the wines I drank :


Grüner Veltliner Smaragd Urgestein Terrassen 2011, F.X. Pichler
Taste : Great wine. Fruity, concentrated, minerals and spice on finish and some turkish delight.
Alcohol : 13%
Mark : A
Price : 4,50 Euro (1/16 litre)


Cablot 2009, Gager
Taste : Porty, plums and cherry, spice and tannic finish
Alcohol : 14%
Mark : C+
Price : 4,50 Euro (1/16 litre)

Wiener Gemischter Satz Nussberg 2011, Mayer am Pfarrplatz
Taste : Fruity, concentrated, white pepper finish
Alcohol : 13%
Mark : B
Price : 3,50 Euro (1/16 litre)

Website : Wein & Co

TN : Zantho Blaufraenkisch 2010, Burgenland, Austria

The average grape yield was around 6.000 kg per hectare. There is 1 gramme per litre of residual sugar present and 5 grammes per litre of acidity. Fementation took place in stainless steel between 30 and 32 degrees and the wine was finished in stainless steel for 6 to 8 months. The wine was sealed with a Vino-Lok glass stopper.

Colour : Blackberry

Aroma : Spicy, blackcurrant, blueberry, raspberry

Taste : Blueberry, blackcurrant, white pepper, raspberry, spice

Alcohol : 13%

Price : 8,49 Euro (Billa, Vienna, Austria)

Mark : B-

Website : Zantho

TN : Reiterer Rose Schilcher Exklusiv, Weingut Reiterer, Weststeiermark, Austria

This wine was sealed with a screwcap.

Colour : Bright strawberry pink


Aroma : Strawberry, herbs, raspberry, mineral

Taste : Strawberry, cherry, raspberry, slight spritz on finish

Alcohol : 11.5%

Price : 5,99 Euro (Billa, Vienna, Austria)

Mark : C+

Website : Weingut Reiterer

TN : Malat Gruener Veltliner 2011, Hoehlgraben, Palt, Kremstal, Austria

This wine was sealed with a screwcap.

Colour : Pale yellow

Aroma : Stone fruits, white pepper

Taste : Oranges, apricots, mineral finish, white pepper

Alcohol : 13%

Price : 10,99 Euro (Billa, Vienna, Austria)

Mark : B-

Website : Weingut Malat

TN : Cult Red 2008 by M. Edlmoser, Vienna, Austria

This wine 100% Zweigelt and was sealed with a screwcap.

Colour : Red, brown hues

Aroma : Blueberry, strawberry, oak, spice

Taste : Spicy, oak, slightly smoky/burnt taste on finish, raspberry, strawberry, blueberry

Alcohol : 13%

Price : 9,39 Euro (Spar Gourmet, Vienna, Austria)


Mark : B-

Website : Edlmoser Wien

TN : Cult White 2011 by M. Edlmoser, Vienna, Austria

This wine is 100% Gruener Veltliner and was sealed with a screwcap.

Colour : Pale straw

Aroma : Lemon, mineral, almonds, white pepper

Taste : Lemon, oranges, almond, white pepper, peaches

Alcohol : 12%

Price : 9,39 Euro (Spar Gourmet, Vienna, Austria)

Mark : B-

Website : Edlmoser Wien

TN : Neckenmarkt Blaufraenkisch Himmelsthron 2009, Winzerkeller Neckenmarkt, Burgenland, Austria

This wine was sealed with a screwcap.


Colour : Dark red/plums


Aroma : Plums, blackcurrants, pepper, spice

Taste : Spice, pepper, liqourice, plums, blackcurrants, concentrated

Alcohol : 14%

Price : 10,99 Euro (Spar Gourmet, Vienna, Austria)

Mark : B

Website : Winzerkeller Neckenmarkt

TN : Zweigelt Ente 2009 Trocken Landwein, Weingut Alter Bach-Hengl Heurigenbetriebs GmbH, Grinzing, Vienna, Austria

Taste : Thin, lacking concentration, boring and one-dimensional, some plum and cherry fruit with spice on finish

Alcohol : 12.5%

Price : 18 Euro (drunk at Alter Bach-Hengl Hueriger)

Mark : C-

Website : Weingut Alter Bach-Hengl

Weinbau und Heurigenschank Gsoels "Zum Berger", Grinzing, Vienna, Austria

I visited the Gsoels Huerigenschank in July this year (2012) and tried three wines :


Gruener Veltliner (1/4 litre) at 3,50 Euro
This was very acidic, very lemon, and tasted like a pot of white pepper had been poured into the glass.
Mark : C-

Grauer Burgunder Rose (1/8 litre) at 4,80 Euro
This was dry and had some berry fruit but was oxidised.
Mark : D

Che "Roesler" Trocken (1/8 litre), 12.5%, at 4,00 Euro
This had lots of cherry and plum flavour with some spice and black pepper
Mark : B-

Website : Weinbau und Heurigenschank Gsoels "Zum Berger"

Book : Grape-A-Hol

This book is written by Michael F. Spratt and Mark L. Feldman from Destuny Bay Vineyards in New Zeland. The book spends most of the time tryin to justify that we should be buying fine wines instead of grape-a-hol. Grape-A-Hol is fermented grape juice and alcohol: sounds like wine to me. I didn't get the point of this book really. Is it just Destiny Bay Wines complaining because they don't sell enough wine ? I Live in Sweden where all wine must be bought via the state controlled monopoly yet I have good access to a decent collection of good wines. Sure, the Systembolaget sell a lot of wines which are one-dimensional and no character but nearly all of them are drinkable and cheap so what is the problem. This book seems to be addressing a very small sector of the population who just like to drink wine which tastes ok. The want to pay an affordable price and it should taste ok. The reason people buy Grape-A-Hol instead of fine wine is the price; they can't afford to buy fine wine. Sorry guys, if you want people to buy fine wine then it has to be cheaper. What is fine wine anyway. The usual propoganda is used to describe fine wine in this book i.e. must come from one place, must be from a small producer etc etc. Who cares; fine wine is a wine that the drinker thinks is very good - it is a simple as that.

TN : Dr Heidemanns-Bergweiler Erdener Treppchen Riesling Spätlese 2000, Dr Heidemanns-Bergweiler Wine International, Mosel, Germany

The sugar content of this wine is 40 grammes per litre.

Colour : Lemon, green hues

Aroma : Honey, oranges, mineral, petrol

Taste : Petrol, honey, oranges, mineral, off-dry

Alcohol : 8%

Price : 99 SEK


Systembolaget Number : 90586

Mark : B-


Website : Dr Heidemanns-Bergweiler

TN : Trinity Hill Viognier 2010, Trinity Hill, Gimblett Gravels, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand

This wine was sealed with a screwcap.

This wine was imported by Carovin AB.

Colour : Pale yellow, green hues

Aroma : Pineapple, oak, nuts, oranges

Taste : Apricot, pineapple, ornages, honey, oak, nutty

Alcohol : 14.5%

Price : 199 SEK

Systembolaget Number : 98142

Mark : B

Website : Trinity Hill

TN : Skalia Syrah Aghiorgitiko 2010, Domaine Skouras, Peleponnesos, Greece

This wine is a blend of Syrah and Aghiorgitiko. Domaine Skouras was founded in 1986 by George Skouras.

This wine was imported by Oenoforos AB.

Colour : Raspberry red, blackberry

Aroma : Spice, plums, blackberry, oak

Taste : Cinamon, plums, blackberry, black pepper on finish

Alcohol : 13.5%

Price : 76 SEK

Systembolaget Number : 98042

Mark : C+

Website : Domaine Skouras

TN : Siro 2007, Fattoria di Gratena, Tuscany, Italy

This wine was imported by Moestue Grape Selections AB.

Colour : Dark blackberry, brown hues

Aroma : Cherry, oak, cedar, herbs, milk chocolate


Taste : Cherry, vanilla, cedar, tobacco, lashing of oak

Alcohol : 14.5%

Price : 169 SEK

Systembolaget Number : 99459

Mark : C

Website : Fattoria di Gratena

TN : Le Fraghe Covina Rosato 2011, Le Fraghe di Matilde Poggi, Veronese, Italy

This wine is 100% Corvina and sealed with a screwcap. This wine was imported by Enoterra AB.

Colour : Bright strawberry pink

Aroma : Strawberries, cherries

Taste : Dry, cherries, strawberries, raspberries, tart

Alcohol : 12.5%

Price : 89 SEK

Systembolaget Number : 98043

Mark : C

Website : Le Fraghe di Matilde Poggi

TN : 1865 Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2010, Vina San Pedro, Maipo Valley, Chile

This wine was imported by Pernod Ricard Sweden AB.

Colour : Dark blackcurrant

Aroma : Oak, plums, blackcurrant, blackberry, mint, coffee

Taste : Toast, blackcurrant, coffee, mint, plums

Alcohol : 14.5%

Price : 119 SEK

Systembolaget Number : 16672

Mark : C+

Website : Vina San Pedro

TN : Trinity Hill Syrah 2010, Gimblett Gravels, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand

This wine was imported by Carovin AB.

Colour : Dark red/blueberry hues

Aroma : Blueberry, spice, minty, white pepper

Taste : Blueberry, spice, liqourice, herbs, blackberry, white pepper on finish

Alcohol : 14.5%

Price : 199 SEK

Systembolaget Number : 98143

Mark : B-

Website : Trinity Hill

TN : Fonterutoli Chianti Classico 2009, Marchesi Mazzei, Tuscany, Italy

This wine is a blend of 90% Sangiovese, 10% Malvasia Nera, Colorino and Merlo. The grapes for this wine come from five different vineyard sites located between 210 and 510 metres altitude. The vineyard soils are composed of limestone. All of the vines were trained to spur-cordon and guyot trellising systems. The vine density was 4,500 vines 7,500 vines per hectare. The age of the vines was between 11 and 24 years old. The grapes were hand-picked on September 2010.

The fermentation temperature was between 28 and 30 degrees. The period of maceration was between 16 and 18 days. The wine was aged for twelve months in 225 litre French oak barrels of which 40% were new. The wine was bottled in March 2011. There was a total of 345,000 bottles produced. The Total acidity is 5.85%.

This wine was imported by The WineAgency Sweden AB.

Colour : Plummy red

Aroma : Spice, milk chocolate, cherries, oak, floral, tobacco

Taste : Cherries, plums, milk chocolate, polished french oak, vanilla, herbs

Alcohol : 13.5%

Systembolaget Number : 32229

Price : 149 SEK

Mark : B

Website : Marchesi Mazzei

TN : Perez Cruz Limited Edition Syrah 2010, Vina Perez Cruz, Maipo Valley, Chile

The grapes for this wine come from the 13 hectare vineyard Fundo Liguai De Huelquen in Maipo. All of the grapes were hand harvested in the second week of April 2010. The must underwent one day of cold maceration and then fermentation for two weeks in steel tanks. The wine was matured for one year and four months on French oak. The winemaker was German Lyon.

This wine was imported by Terrific Wines AB.

Colour : Dark blackberry

Aroma : Blackberry, liqourice, vanilla, blackcurrant, herbs

Taste : Blackberry, liqourice, vanilla, toast, green pepper, black pepper on long finish

Alcohol : 14.5%

Price : 119 SEK

Systembolaget Number : 94014

Mark : B

Website : Vina Perez Cruz

TN : Quara Torrontes 2011, Bodegas Felix Lavaque, Salta, Valles Calchaquies, Cafayate, Argentina

This wine was sealed with a screwcap. This wine was imported by Domaine Wines Sweden AB.

Colour : Pale yellow/lemon

Aroma : Lemon, elderflower, white grapes, honey, roses, peach

Taste : Lemon, elderflower, white grapes, honey, roses, peach, bitter finish

Alcohol : 13%

Price : 89 SEK

Mark : C

Website : Finca Quara

TN : Intimo Malbec 2011, Humberto Canale, Rio Negro, Patagonia, Argentina

This wine was imported by Future Wines Sweden AB.

Colour : Dark blackberry

Aroma : Spice, milk chocolate, plums, blackberry, liqourice

Taste : Blackberry, coffee, plums, cocoa, spice and liqourice on finish, soft and fruity

Alcohol : 13.5%

Price : 77 SEK

Mark : C+

Website : Humberto Canale

TN : Donna Maria Syrah 2009, Vina Falernia, Limari Valley, Chile

All of the grapes were hand-harvested into smal bins during the first two weeks of April 2009. The grapes were crushed and then underwent a cold maceration. The must was then fermented in stainless steel tanks and aged partially in French oak barrels for six months. This wine was bottled unfiltered. The winemaker was Giorgio Flessati.

This wine is a tribute to Maria Gramola Olivier who left northern Italy for Chile in 1951 with her husband and seven children.

This wine was imported by WineWorld AB.

Colour : Dark red, blackberry

Aroma : Herbs, meaty, spice, blueberry, milk chocolate, pepper

Taste : Blueberry, liqourice, plums, spice, white pepper on hot finish

Alcohol : 14.5%

Price : 119 SEK

Mark : C+

Website : Vina Falernia

TN : Kendall-Jackson Grand Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, Sonoma County, California, USA

This wine is a blend of 99% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Malbec.

This wine was imported by Amka Vinimport AB.

Colour : Dark blackberry red/blue

Aroma : Blackcurrant, mint, milk chocolate, oak

Taste : Very fruity, blackcurrant, mint, milk chocolate, structured tannic finish, leave 1-2 years to soften up a bit

Alcohol : 14.5%

Price : 199 SEK

Mark : B-

Website : Kendall-Jackson

TN : Cassiopea 2011, Poggio Al Tesoro, Bolgheri, Tuscany, Italy

This wine is a blend of 70% Cabernet Franc and 30% Merlot. All of the grapes for this wine were harvested on the 2nd and 3rd of September 2011. The grapes come from the Le Sondraie vineyard which is located at 25 metres above sea level. The vineyard soil is deep, with gravel and clay deposits. All of the vines are Guyot trained. The winemaker was Nicola Biasi.

This wine was imported by The WineAgency Sweden AB.

Colour : Bright strawberry pink rose

Aroma : Herbs, redcurrants, watermelon, strawberry

Taste : Strawberry, herbs, oranges, vanilla, zingy finish

Alcohol : 12%

Price : 119 SEK

Mark : C

Website : Poggio al Tesoro

TN : Rolling Stones Forty Licks Merlot 2009, Wines That Rock, Mendocino Wine Co, Mendocino County, California, USA

The winemaker was Mark Beaman.

This wine was imported by Ward Wines AB.

Colour : Raspberry red, blue hues

Aroma : Raspberry, strawberry, herbs, vanilla

Taste : Fruity simple glugger, raspberry, blackcurrant, herbs and cedar on finish

Alcohol : 13.5%

Price : 119 SEK

Mark : C+

Website : Wines That Rock

itWine Update April 2012

I talked to Christer Johansson (owner of itWine) who sent this picture of the state of his vineyard (April 29th 2012); the buds were still quite small at this time but progressing well.

Website : itWine
Facebook : itWine