Let's
dive right in. A friend was in town after a two year
absence to collect some of his wine from Renegade and to
catch up on the wine industry of today. Casually he asked
if we had any Groiss Rose from Austria to which we shook
our heads. This wine-savy individual then exclaimed it was
his favorite Summer Rose. Knowning his palate, we tracked
down the Rose, ordered a Gruner and a Gemischter Satz for
kicks and waited breathlessly for their arrival.
They
have arrived. Spoiler alert: They Are Fabulous!
First
a little about the winery from the winemaker herself
Ingrid Groiss:
"Passionate, emotional and determined. These are the three words I would choose to describe myself when it comes to wine making.
Although my education and first experiences in the working world lead me on different path I soon realized where my true roots lie and what my heart beats for: carrying on with the family tradition making quality Austrian wine.
My goal: creating fine wines with passion and care, each with its own distinctive signature and the utterly unique taste of our region.
Early
birds (wine professional friends) who realized Renegade
had her wines on the shelves exclaimed,
"...obsessed with her wines..."
"OH! I LOVE her wines!!!!"
and
"...she is simply brilliant!"
"...obsessed with her wines..."
"OH! I LOVE her wines!!!!"
and
"...she is simply brilliant!"
After a day's rest from their travels we opened the three wines to taste.
2024
Ingrid Groiss Hasenhaide Rosé $24
A blend of 70% Pinot and 30% Zweigelt, this one has the poise of an artist, the grace of a ballerina, the vibe of an after hours Jazz club in Chicago.
The wine seduces with its aromas of fresh strawberries, ripe cherries, and citrus peel, delicate floral notes and subtle herbal undertones. Light, crisp, pure on the palate, mineral-driven with beautiful acidity. Second bottle was opened shortly after the first.
A blend of 70% Pinot and 30% Zweigelt, this one has the poise of an artist, the grace of a ballerina, the vibe of an after hours Jazz club in Chicago.
The wine seduces with its aromas of fresh strawberries, ripe cherries, and citrus peel, delicate floral notes and subtle herbal undertones. Light, crisp, pure on the palate, mineral-driven with beautiful acidity. Second bottle was opened shortly after the first.
2024 Ingrid Groiss Grüner Veltliner $20
There's alot going on here for a 'entry level' Gruner. Green apple, pear, quince, citrus right out of the gate. Bright orchard fruit comes alive in the glass minutes later. Balanced zippy acidity while a hint of white pepper teases the tongue. And the finish is simply perfect.
finally we arrive at
2022
Ingrid Groiss Gemischter Satz Braitenpuechtorff $24
Let's explain some of the verbage above first.
Braitenpuechtorff is the specific vineyard where the grapes are grown.
This leads us to "Gemischter Satz", an Austrian term for a traditional field blend where as little as 3 grape varieties and as many as 20 are co-fermented to create a wine. It's typically associated with Vienna and recognized for its unique expression of terroir and its capacity for producing harmonious, complex wines.
Let's explain some of the verbage above first.
Braitenpuechtorff is the specific vineyard where the grapes are grown.
This leads us to "Gemischter Satz", an Austrian term for a traditional field blend where as little as 3 grape varieties and as many as 20 are co-fermented to create a wine. It's typically associated with Vienna and recognized for its unique expression of terroir and its capacity for producing harmonious, complex wines.
Here
is the crazy thing: this wine includes (but is not limited
to) these varietals:
Chardonnay, Müller Thurgau, Welschriesling, Grüner Veltliner,
Riesling, Grauburgunder, Pinot Blanc, Frühroter Veltliner, Neuburger, Zierfandler,
Rotgipfler, Sämling and Roter Veltliner.
Yikes...and WOW!
Chardonnay, Müller Thurgau, Welschriesling, Grüner Veltliner,
Riesling, Grauburgunder, Pinot Blanc, Frühroter Veltliner, Neuburger, Zierfandler,
Rotgipfler, Sämling and Roter Veltliner.
Yikes...and WOW!
This is a rather sensational wine that starts out with Meyer lemon notes and tingly acidity, then white peach, melon, lemongrass, pear, floral notes emerge, along with so much more.
This is a joy to drink. It continues to open in the glass for ages. Our last sip, some 30 minutes on, revealed a tremendously complex wine that was still offering up new thrills (nearly ripe pineapple, red currant, winter melon, a smidgen of Sichuan pepper).
I
think we just found Three New Summer favorites.
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
|
|
|
|
|
2020
Podere Le Ripi Rosso di Montalcino Sogni e Follia
(Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino)
(Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino)
We
found this 100% Sangiovese from the Brunello region on sale
from one of our importers. And loving the winery, Le Ripi,
and their commitment to organic and biodynamic farming, and
the dozens of cute goats and sheep on the property, we
couldn't pass this one up.
So passing along the savings, this $48 bottle of wine
is on sale @ $35/bottle
How about tasting notes:
A deep ruby red with elegant orange shadows. There's a symphony of aromas happening; intense cherry, strawberry, and violet, fresh, wild herbs, a dusting of what the French call 'sauvage'. For a Rosso di Montalcino, the wine is structured and refined, with a broad and smooth texture and a long, long finish. Pretty darn sensational.
Grilled lamb ideally, vegetable lasagna necessary, roasted red peppers complimentary.
So passing along the savings, this $48 bottle of wine
is on sale @ $35/bottle
How about tasting notes:
A deep ruby red with elegant orange shadows. There's a symphony of aromas happening; intense cherry, strawberry, and violet, fresh, wild herbs, a dusting of what the French call 'sauvage'. For a Rosso di Montalcino, the wine is structured and refined, with a broad and smooth texture and a long, long finish. Pretty darn sensational.
Grilled lamb ideally, vegetable lasagna necessary, roasted red peppers complimentary.
