Cupid’s Connoisseur Set

A delicious assortment for romantic times

– Brut Rosé – Sekt Austria Reserve, Méthode Champenoise’18, Weingut Malat, (Austria, Kremstal, Sparkling )

Light onion peel in color with lively effervescence. Youthful and refreshing, this handmade sparkling possesses elegance and a creamy and animating mousseux. Like a walk through a garden in full bloom, you pick up notes of nectar, strawberries and rose petals.

– Riesling Zoebing Kamptal DAC’20, Hirsch, (Austria, Kamptal, White )

The Rieslings from the famous Zöbinger Heiligenstein vineyard almost always display a very distinctive minerality originating from the unique geology consisting of volcanic rock and desert sandstone. The wines from this remarkable site usually need some bottle age to open up. When mature, they show impressive structure and very distinctive aromatics reminiscent of white, often exotic fruit and strong minerality. The ageability of the Heiligenstein Rieslings is legendary.

Medium green-yellow. Subtle apricot and vineyard peach with a hint of wild meadow herbs and flinty minerals. Juicy, with sweet yellow peach harmoniously bedded in an elegant structure with finesse. The elegant fruit finish lingers long. Outstanding ageing potential.

– Chardonnay Ried Lores Reserve’20, Johanneshof Reinisch, (Austria, Thermenregion, White )

Oh, what a Chardonnay: Healthy, fully-ripe grapes from the single-vinyard “Lores” in Thermenregion. Barrel fermentation and maturing in slightly toasted oak of different sizes for up to 10 months gives us a golden, muscular Chardonnay with layers of butterscotch and candied pineapple, framed by nutty flavors and biscuits. Voluptuos citrus notes develop in the glass as the wine gets some air. (Decanting recommended!) Well composed with perfectly-integrated oak and a casual elegance allows for comparison with some of the best Burgundies that cost a multiple.

– Pinot Noir Gumpoldskirchen Alte Reben’21, Johanneshof Reinisch, (Austria, Thermenregion, Red )

Pale to medium ruby. The nose begins with a hint of truffles, giving way to dark cherry and raspberry scents with a touch of spiciness. Crisp acidity and a low, pleasant tannins on the long and enduring finish.

At the foot of Anninger Mountain, at an elevation of 260 metres, lies the Grillenhügel (“cricket-hill”) vineyard. The loamy and sand soil with lime inclusions is home to a various selection of Pinot Noir vines. These plants are over 20 years old and bring expressive fruit flavours and great complexity in this wine.

Spontaneous fermentation in big oak vats between 28°C and 30°C, skin contact between 21 and 24 days, aged in French oak barrels of different size for 16 months (60% new oak)

– Maramia Rubicone Sangiovese IGP’18, Tenuta Mara, (Italy, Emilia Romagna, Red )

Brilliant red colour. A frank perfume of red currants, cinnamon and violet. Fresh, bright and rich, with pure red fruits and a spicy plum taste. The wine shows great depth and elegance, with dark fruit nicely contrasted by exotic spices.
Demeter-certified grapes harvested by hand and selected on a sorting table with the strictest of criteria. Spontaneous fermentation with natural yeasts and without temperature control. Aged in large sized French oak casks for 18 months and then 12 months in bottle.

– Amarone Classico DOCG’17, Celestino Gaspari, Zýmē, (Italy, Veneto, Red )

On the nose, notes of ripe cherry and morello cherry, semi-dried plum, and spices. The palate mirrors the fragrances of the nose and starts off with appealing savory notes, adding fruit preserves. As the wine matures, we receive more delicate impressions of pepper, black liquorice and cocoa powder. Aged 5 years in large Slavonian oak casks and 1 year in bottle.