Anthony Rose: Austria's hidden secret
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Time to let you in on Austria's best-kept secret: the grüner veltliner grape. As a fan, I wasn't surprised to see it let out of the bag, but at a recent tasting organized by German wine merchant, Jan-Erik Paulson, Austria took seven out of the 10 top places. Journalists and masters of wine were invited to taste, and score, 36 wines.18 were Austrian, made mostly from the little-known (except to Austrians) grüner veltliner, the others were top white burgundies and chardonnays from around the world. The top four places went to a 1990 Knoll Grüner Veltliner "Vinothekfüllung" Smaragd, a 1997 Grüner Veltliner "Ried Lamm", from Bründlmayer, a 1997 Chardonnay Tiglat from Velich, and Prager's 1990 Grüner Veltliner Steinriegl Smaragd. Mondavi's 1998 Byron Nielson Vineyards Chardonnay from California sneaked into fifth place. And great white burgundy? Just a solitary representative, Louis Latour's 1990 Corton Charlemagne, just sneaked into the top 20. For great Austrian wines, contact Ben Ellis Wines, Brockham, Surrey (01737 842160), Noel Young Wines, Cambridge (01223 844744) and Hamer Wine, Kingston-on-Thames, Surrey (020-8549 9119).
¿ From lyrical Austria to the poetry and wines of Oz Schoolkids issue defendant Felix Dennis. The publishing magnate and wine collector is publicising his collection of poems A Glass Half Full (Hutchinson, £6.99) with his Did I Mention The Free Wine? tour of the country until 6 December (www.felixdennis.com). Here's a taste:
Sleep my brethren, dream and sleep, Row on row and line by line,
May your dreams be dark and deep, You who guard the living wine.
Lyricism aside, Dennis, one of the richest individuals in the UK, says that he is keen to share his cellar with his audience, promising that "here is your chance (where the venue owners will permit it) to sample the wonders of Lafite, Rothschild, Chambertin, Margaux, Montrachet, Pouilly-Fumé, Haut-Brion and Meursault, along with many of their lesser brethren". If you do manage to get even a glass half-full or half-empty of Lafite or Margaux out of the new vinous romantic, £6.99 could be money very well spent.
¿ The message when it comes to bubbles is to shop around and buy by the case. A case these days, though, is six not 12 bottles as the high street competes for slices of the festive cake. Anything left over, an unusual occurrence in my household, can happily be stashed away to join Mr Dennis' sleeping brethren and improve with age. Majestic is offering 20 per cent off when you buy six bottles and three for the price of two on selected fizz. There's 15 per cent off selected bottles at Oddbins with 20 per cent off six, and 15 per cent off six at Wine Rack and Bottoms Up. In a pre-emptive strike, Tesco is "leaping into the Christmas season" with 20 per cent off all its champagne, saving a further 5 per cent if you buy six bottles, but the offer extends through this weekend only. If you buy six, this puts the attractive Tesco Champagne Brut at under £10 a bottle (£9.74), while the classy Louis Roederer and Taittinger both come down from £24.99 to £14.99, Piper Heidsieck from £19.97 to £11.23, Lanson Black Label Brut from £18.94 to £14.21 and Nicolas Feuillatte from £17.98 to £9.73. Tesco 1996 Vintage Champagne meanwhile is a rather handy £11.99.
If you're booze-cruising for Christmas (see next week) and looking for something out of the ordinary, you could always take a detour to Christie's second Paris sale on 12 December which includes the contents of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor's cellar. But don't expect rare Bordeaux or Burgundy. Most of the 50 lots, embossed with the Prince of Wales's seal, Edward VIII's pre-Coronation royal title, are of cognac, whisky, bourbon and gin. Cognac leads the cellar sale, with highlights including four magnums of 1811 cognac with their original wax capsules (estimate: £5,000-7,000 each), two magnums of 1812 Cognac Napoleon Grande Fine Champagne Imperiale (estimate: £5,000-7,000 each) and 11 bottles of 1811 Cognac Napolean Grande Fine Champagne Reserve (estimate: £1,800-2,500 each).
Back to wine, or everything for wine, except wine, Autour du Vin , 38-49 New Cavendish Street, London W1 (020-7935 4679) sells every wine lovers's gadget, useful or otherwise, from Riedel and Schott glasses to Eurocave wine cabinets for the wine lover who has everything except their own cellar.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments