Four Fast Days: May 31st: Kemptal, Sparkling Wine, Some Local History, Riesling , Boating The Danube and A BIG VIENNA PARTY!!!!!!
May 31st
Langenios, Kemptal (Two In A Vineyard Visits The Loisium)
The Loisium is a popular destination for those who want to express their interest in wine modernity along with antiquity and history. The Loisium was a welcome spot after a long drive. The Sauvignon Blanc Sparkling wine served on arriving was indeed very refreshing and delicious. The cube shaped building was indeed a modern construction with a vinotheque, Sektbar and shop. Here one could study wine at his/her leisure yet explore his environment by rediscovering the five senses which have to do with wine.
The tour of the cellar was both a visual as well as a sensual experience--from the emergence of the God Bacchus from within his watery slumber to the tickle of a baby's foot towards the end of the tour and everything in between. Some things did get lost in translation but not without humorous misadventures between guide and group. It was fun.
Castle Durnstein And Riesling
The seminar that followed at Castle Durnstein was exceptional and featured the "Great Single Vineyards of Wachau". The castle is the property of Domane Wachau and has been well renovated to its former (1714) glory. Here wine is the main inspiration and everything that is produced is done to present wine in the most inspiring way. Six wines, all Riesling, from the Wachau were tasted. The wines ranged from light to golden in colour with a nose range from citrus to apple/pear. The palate ranged from tropical pineapple to apple and citrus. Nice finish.
While the group got a tour of the Castle Roy, Sandie and I went into the Garden to do some film sequences. The garden is not what you'd call average by any stretch of the imagination. It stretches from past the main gate to the main building itself and is a menagerie of flowers and designs. We managed to get some great shots of not only the magnificent building but also of the "two" of the vineyard clowning around the massive fountains.
Danube Boat Trip
The visit to the Wachau Domane ended and shortly after we were on our way to Spitz where a boat was waiting for us to go down the Danube from Spitz to Durnstein.
Gruner Veltliner was the wine of the day and boat trip. Five were tasted---all of Smaragd quality and from different vineyards. Certainly Gruner Veltliner is a great wine of Austria and well represented for its many soils. Each wine was the same yet different showing the amazing adaptability of the grape variety.
The boat ride view was superb with many vineyard sites being pointed out. The beauty of the Danube is legendary but one cannot appreciate it unless one sees for him/herself. The ruins of a castle named after the village it overlooks, Durnstein, could be seen from the boat. It is known for the legend that Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned their after his capture by Leopold of Austria in the 12th Century. He was later rescued or released for ransom. The castle was destroyed by Swedish troops in the 17th Century. Another building was built as an Abby in the 15th Century and later rebuilt in a Baroque Style and is none other than the building complete with gardens that the three of us visited earlier that day. History has a way of coming full circle does it not???
Wachau Lunch
A small lunch was held at the Jamek Restaurant along with some fine Riesling from the Wachau:
Dumplings Of Pike With Parsley Sauce And Rice
Two Rieslings from different vineyards.
Boiled Beef With Apple Horseradish, Chives And Smashed Roasted Potatoes
Two Gruner Veltliners from different vineyards
Cake Filled With Chocolate Cream And Raspberry Sauce
Trockenbeerenauslese Riesling
The wine and food match was as usual was excellent and the group present were being put in the right frame of mind for a very large and very welcome party.
To be continued--------!
Langenios, Kemptal (Two In A Vineyard Visits The Loisium)
The Loisium is a popular destination for those who want to express their interest in wine modernity along with antiquity and history. The Loisium was a welcome spot after a long drive. The Sauvignon Blanc Sparkling wine served on arriving was indeed very refreshing and delicious. The cube shaped building was indeed a modern construction with a vinotheque, Sektbar and shop. Here one could study wine at his/her leisure yet explore his environment by rediscovering the five senses which have to do with wine.
The tour of the cellar was both a visual as well as a sensual experience--from the emergence of the God Bacchus from within his watery slumber to the tickle of a baby's foot towards the end of the tour and everything in between. Some things did get lost in translation but not without humorous misadventures between guide and group. It was fun.
Castle Durnstein And Riesling
The seminar that followed at Castle Durnstein was exceptional and featured the "Great Single Vineyards of Wachau". The castle is the property of Domane Wachau and has been well renovated to its former (1714) glory. Here wine is the main inspiration and everything that is produced is done to present wine in the most inspiring way. Six wines, all Riesling, from the Wachau were tasted. The wines ranged from light to golden in colour with a nose range from citrus to apple/pear. The palate ranged from tropical pineapple to apple and citrus. Nice finish.
While the group got a tour of the Castle Roy, Sandie and I went into the Garden to do some film sequences. The garden is not what you'd call average by any stretch of the imagination. It stretches from past the main gate to the main building itself and is a menagerie of flowers and designs. We managed to get some great shots of not only the magnificent building but also of the "two" of the vineyard clowning around the massive fountains.
Danube Boat Trip
The visit to the Wachau Domane ended and shortly after we were on our way to Spitz where a boat was waiting for us to go down the Danube from Spitz to Durnstein.
Gruner Veltliner was the wine of the day and boat trip. Five were tasted---all of Smaragd quality and from different vineyards. Certainly Gruner Veltliner is a great wine of Austria and well represented for its many soils. Each wine was the same yet different showing the amazing adaptability of the grape variety.
The boat ride view was superb with many vineyard sites being pointed out. The beauty of the Danube is legendary but one cannot appreciate it unless one sees for him/herself. The ruins of a castle named after the village it overlooks, Durnstein, could be seen from the boat. It is known for the legend that Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned their after his capture by Leopold of Austria in the 12th Century. He was later rescued or released for ransom. The castle was destroyed by Swedish troops in the 17th Century. Another building was built as an Abby in the 15th Century and later rebuilt in a Baroque Style and is none other than the building complete with gardens that the three of us visited earlier that day. History has a way of coming full circle does it not???
Wachau Lunch
A small lunch was held at the Jamek Restaurant along with some fine Riesling from the Wachau:
Dumplings Of Pike With Parsley Sauce And Rice
Two Rieslings from different vineyards.
Boiled Beef With Apple Horseradish, Chives And Smashed Roasted Potatoes
Two Gruner Veltliners from different vineyards
Cake Filled With Chocolate Cream And Raspberry Sauce
Trockenbeerenauslese Riesling
The wine and food match was as usual was excellent and the group present were being put in the right frame of mind for a very large and very welcome party.
To be continued--------!
posted by Chuck Byers - Wine Consultant | 7:32 PM
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