The New Face of Blaufränkisch - Consider Austrian Wines for Your Bar

The event was an intimate gathering held on Friday, January 15, in the tasting room of the Austrian Cultural Forum on E 52nd St in NYC. Quite informal, it featured wines from Dorli Muhr, Sylvia Prieler, Paul Achs, Uwe Schiefer, Josef Umathum, Roland Velich from Moric & David Scildknecht. Each producer had a range of Blaufränkisch wines that focused on demonstrating the differences in terroir, predominantly between the sturdier styles grown in clay soils and softer styles grown in limestone. Some tables also included a white either of Gruner Veltliner, Traminer, Pinot Blanc or Chardonnay.

The tasting was hosted by James Wright & Stephan Schindler of Winemonger, but included wines from a variety of importers, focusing on Austrian wines as a whole rather than on the advertisement of a particular portfolio. It was both an educational event and a wine tasting happy hour where Austrian wine insiders, wine bloggers, media and others gathered to experience this increasingly popular, red grape from Austria.

To find out more about Austrian wines to offer in your bar, check out Winemonger