I first noticed the Respekt logo on wine labels in late 2011 at an Austrian wine tasting. Established in 2006 and requiring a three year conversion process, the first vintage for which this designation could appear on labels was 2009. The philosophy of Respekt BIODYN is to mentor fellow and aspiring members by establishing a practical and detailed conversion program for each, then to help the converted vinegrower outline a plan for the continuing the practice of biodynamic principles. Overall, the group eschews dogmatism.
Read MoreAustria makes some of the most precise wines in the world, and there is nothing like tasting single vineyard wines to understand the soil's impact on the grape variety. That's true even when the wines are field blends, like the Gemischter Satz.
Read MoreI admire the stylistic diversity of Austrian white wines, even when narrowed down to the two premier grapes, Grüner Veltliner and Riesling, then further streamlined to the central-west sub-regions of Niederösterreich, Kamptal, Kremstal and Wachau. Their ability to exude charm when young and prompt marvel with age captivate me.
Read MoreLoimer NV Rosé Brut Sekt Reserve: This sekt stretches the imagination. A blend of Zweigelt, Pinot Noir and St. Laurent, it would be hard to place it in a blind tasting, even if its fruit purity, fine perlage and long finish clearly place it in a high quality region.
Read MoreMy one global comment is that the 2012s from Niederösterreich are absolutely delicious!
Read MoreBriefly, for the uninitiated: “orange” wines are made from white grape varieties. Rather than discard the skins once the juice is pressed from the grapes, the skins and juice remain together during the fermentation and aging processes. This contributes the orange color to the wines, along with tannins and denser texture, the latter two characteristics more akin to red rather than white wine.
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