Ingrid and Weinviertal
Weinviertal or “wine quarter”, is Austria’s largest wine region. It is situated at the far northeastern part of Austria, bordering the Czech Republic in the north and Slovakia to the east. It is a beautiful area with neat villages and picture postcard vineyards. It is also known for the hundreds of metres of cellars that run underground called “Kellergrassen”. The region’s most famous grape variety – Gruner Veltliner is king here and is characterized by its zesty flavours, delicate aromas and tart acidity.
After a slightly dodgy wine scandal (it’s worth a google if you don’t know the story) in the 80’s, Austria has seemingly recovered fully because it is now one of the most exciting wine producing countries in the world.
Ingrid Groiss describes herself as passionate, emotional and determined. It pretty much says it all about Ingrid and are the sort of character traits we would expect to find in a young wine maker, who modernised their parent’s winery. Having lived the corporate life with Coca-Cola in her younger years, Ingrid returned to her wine making roots in Weinviertel and set about producing fantastic wines from the vineyards her Grandmother had planted some 50 years ago. Ingrid’s wines have a great purity to them and the complexity of her Gruner Veltliners are quite amazing. The wines are all certified organic since the 2019 vintage and they get better with every vintage. We are all such big fans of Ingrid and her wines. It’s a real pleasure being an importer and supplier of such a dynamic winemaker.
Cotes du Rhone Rose 'Carpe Diem' Domaine l'Ancienne Ecole 2022
Cotes du Rhone Rose ‘Carpe Diem’ Domaine l’Ancienne Ecole is a beautifully fresh and clean Rose with mellow soft summer red fruits, wild strawberry, crushed cranberry and raspberry notes. It is made from an equal parts blend of Syrah and Grenache Noir. It is dry, fresh as a daisy and a much cheaper option than overpriced Provence Rose.
We spent a great deal of time searching for a Cotes du Rhone we liked and had almost given up when out of the blue Tarquin met a chap called Bill Thorburn in Edinburgh. It turns out Bill’s son, Wilson, and his wife, Anna, own a little estate called Domaine l’Ancienne Ecole just outside Vinsobres. “I’ll get you samples”, insists Bill. Now caution must be taken here as it’s not uncommon for one of us to meet someone who knows someone who makes wine. It normally ends with a polite email including the words, “they were not right for us” (i.e., they were substandard). Thankfully Wilson and Anna’s wines were tremendous, and they are now firm favourites with our customers. The wines are now certified organic, unfiltered and use very low levels of added sulphur. Their vineyards are in prime sites on the plateau above Vinsobres. Grenache dominated, the wines have excellent structure and above all are a pleasure to drink.
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