Wine Facts
Tips & Recommendations from our Sommelier
The Austrian viniculture is divided into 4 wine growing regions - Lower Austria & Burgenland, Styria, Vienna and Bergland. Those four main wine regions are split into 16 wine districts - Wachau, Kremstal, Kamptal, Traisental, Donauland, Weinviertel, Carnuntum, Thermenregion, Neusiedlersee, Neusiedlersee-Hügeland, Mittelburgenland, Südburgenland, Südoststeiermark, Südsteiermark, Weststeiermark, which are all largely represented on our wine menu.
The Wachau, a narrow valley along the Danube river, is reminiscent of the great wine areas of the Rhine with steep terraces that produce world-class Grüner Veltliner and Riesling wines. The Wachau is the pioneer out of the 16 Austrian wine areas. Some high profile wine estates recommended by our Sommelier are Franz Hirtzberger, Emmerich Knoll or Franz X. Pichler. A great wine you should try at your next visit is the 2007 Grüner Veltliner Smaragd - Urgestein from F.X. Pichler.
The Kremstal and the Kamptal fulfill the role of ambassador of the Austrian wine culture. Both regions are geologically similar to the Wachau as centers of climatic tensions. This allows for juicy, delicately-rich whites as well as expressive red wines. Leaders in the category are Willi Bründlmayer especially the 2002 Grüner Veltliner - Alte Rebe and the wine estate Salomon with the 1996 Pfaffenberg - Library Reserve.
The Donauland region, which is situated on the north bank of the Danube River, is close to the hometown of our chef and owner Kurt Gutenbunner and has always held a special place in his heart. This region certainly contributed significantly to Austria’s wine history. Donauland emphasizes mainly on Grüner Veltliner, which ripens there to become a hearty, spicy wine that combines substance and pure pleasure. On our wine menu you can find absolutely terrific full-bodied wines with aromas that lend to a palate which is playful, herbal, minty, full and charming. For example, the winery Anton Bauer’s Cabernet Savignon 2005 is a shines when combined with rack of lamb, bok choy and kohlrabi gratin.
The Burgenland on the Hungarian border is divided into South and Middle Burgenland, Neusiedlersee and Neusiedlersee-Hügelland. Neusiedlersee-Hügelland is known for its incredible sweet wines. A wonderful and well respected representation of this quality is Alois Kracher. Try the 2002 TBA Grande Cuvee No. 7 or any other wine on the dessert wine section, and they may be the best sweet wines you have ever tasted.
"Blaufränkischland" is the nickname for Middle Burgenland. The nickname reflects the dominant variety of wines in the area, which carry a firm acidity, good weight, deep color and spicy character. The pioneer here is the wine producer Lehrner with their 2005 Steineiche.
Styria is a unique white wine country and is made up of the south, south-east and west. South Styria, near the Slovenian border, is dominated by the Sauvignon Blanc grape. Prominent producers with top quality wines include Erich & Walter Polz, Gross and Tement. The 2005 Sauvignon Blanc - Zieregg from winery Tement is an excellent recommendation you should not miss trying.
In the Middle Ages wines were grown within the city walls of Vienna, but now they have been pushed into the outskirts. Our Sommelier believes that wines from Vienna have greatly advanced in quality over the years. You can find very good red and white wines from that area on our menu. Ask our Sommelier for a Pinot Grande Select, he guarantees that you will be delighted.
Field blends known as "Gemischter Satz" are very common in Vienna and Styria. Now "Gemischter Satz" is known as a specialty, and wine to savor, but this was not always the case. Due to low harvest and poor quality after WWI, hard working wine growers needed to look to new and creative methods to stay in business. They started cultivating, pressing and fermenting different grapes together to ensure a consistent wine quality, and during this time the "Gemischter Satz" arose. This tradition of wine making combined with the modern zeitgeist led to the challenge of developing this multi-faced wealth of aromas.
We hope that these tips were helpful to you! If you need any help with our Wine List do not hesitate to contact us at 212.352.2300 or visit us here at Wallsé and our Sommelier will be pleased to assist you.
