Wine Wednesday - Eastern Europe and More!

Join us for an exploration rather "off piste" of some of the often-overlooked wines of Eastern Europe (and one or two more unusual wines too).

Week 1: 26th July - Austria & Hungary

In history these two countries were one country (sort of) - the Austro-Hungarian Empire and there remains some strong links between them today.

We start with the quintessential Austrian variety; Gruner Veltliner.  This Gruner has notes of whole grain cookies, dried barley, hazelnut flour, and baking spices lead the aromas and flavours on the forefront, followed by tart lemon and spice. Its soft texture yet zippy acidity add up to a wine that’s entirely enjoyable. 

Moving into Hungary, which is widely respected for its Tokaji dessert wine, we sample a seriously upmarket Pinot Noir.  Fragrant sandalwood and herbal medicinal notes follow through into cherry, wild strawberry, raspberry and pepper spice aromas. Gentle characters of leather and tobacco also add complexity to this intriguing Pinot. Moderate tannins with good body. The long ageing in oak barrels gives this wine a velvety and round finish making it very moreish.

• Crazy Creatures Gruner Veltliner, Kremstal, Austria, 2021. Retail Price £18.99
• Kovacs Nimrod Monopole 777 Pinot Noir, Eger, Hungary, 2019.  Retail Price £23.99

Week 2: 2nd August - Bulgaria & Georgia

Moving into Bulgaria, we sample a Tamianka, a native variety to Bulgaria which produces wines of a floral and aromatic character, wild fermented, unoaked.

Light yellow colour with green hues. Attractive and complex nose with dominating aromas of geranium, quince, herbs and delicate white flowers. Medium body with a good balance with hints of citrus and lychee. Long and noble white with a rich spices and flower notes dominated finish and well balanced refreshing acidity.

Next, we visit Georgia (the country not the US state!) for the first time to sample a very unusual wine, a semi-sweet red made from the indigenous Ojaleshi variety.  Light ruby colour, semi-sweet red wine. Sharply expressed aromas of cherry, strawberry and blackcurrants. Delicate taste and light acidity.

• Bratanov Family Winery Tamianka, Shishmanovo Vineyards, South Sakar Mountain, Bulgaria, 2021. Retail £18.99
• Tamada Ojaleshi Georgian Semi Sweet Red, 2019.  Retail Price £12.99

Week 3: 9th August - Georgia and Orange Wine 

Orange wine is uber-trendy and there is a long history of producing it in Georgia.  At the moment, in France it can only be labelled as "vin de France" as it falls outside the traditional AOC regulations.  So, we are breaking the Eastern Europe theme here by selecting a French example.  Produced in Cahors (of Malbec fame) our example is a Gros Manseng with extended skin contact, hence the orange colour.  This dry 'Vin Orange' is a white wine made in the way red wine is made with extended skin contact. Made with wild yeasts and a minimum intervention approach, with minimal sulphur added, it has a golden appearance with amber highlights. The nose is full of white peach and citrus aromas and a long, complex, slightly toasted finish. 

We return to Georgia for an oak aged Saperavi red wine.  Dark, cherry red in colour. Aromatic complexity includes pleasant oak tones that blend with very ripe blackcurrant, mulberry and cherry. After aeration, hints of spices are released. Rich, velvety tannic structure with balanced acidity. The flavours are powerful and lingering, carried by the tannins to the finish.

• Gros Manseng, Vin Orange, Rigal 1755 Original, Vin de France, 2020.  Retail Price £12.49
• Vismino Grand Saperavi Napareuli, Georgia, 2020.  Retail Price £15.99

Week 4: 16th August - Israel

Many people have sampled some of lebanon's fantastic wines, but what of neighbour Israel?  Israel makes some serious quality wine, but exports very little of it, so this is a bit of a treat as we sample two top quality wines from one of Israel's best producers - Clos de Gat.

We start with a fabulous barrel-fermented and lees aged Chardonnay.  This unfiltered dry white wine is elegant and complex, with hints of spice, orange blossoms and citrus fruits on the nose. On the palate it displays freshness, good acidity and a harmonious balance between fruit and oak, with a long lingering finish. 

Next, we end our journey with a Syrah that's had 16 months in French oak barrels.  The wine has a deep dense purple colour. On the nose it is intense and complex, discreetly oaked with classical warm peppery and red fruit aromas. On the palate the wine is full bodied, well balanced, and spicily fresh with good acidity and well integrated tannins. The finish is long, lively and elegant.

• Clos de Gat Chardonnay, Jordan Hills, Israel, 2018. Retail Price £29.00
• Har'el Syrah, Clos de Gat, Judean Hills, Israel, 2018.  Retail Price £23.95

As with all our virtual "Wine Wednesday" events, this course will be delivered over "Zoom" so you can enjoy from the comfort of your own home.

Wines are supplied by our friends at Frazier's Fine Wines at the discounted price of £141.65 including delivery.  Click here to place your wine order.