Wieninger Nussberg Alte Reben 2004

A "field blend" of Weissburgunder, Neuberger, Welschriesling, Gruner Veltliner, Sylvaner, Zierfandeler,Traminer, and Riesling, the golden hued 2004 Wieninger Nussberg Alte Reben offers up a knockout nose and an equally exciting palate profile. Apricot, peach, citrus oil, liquid stones, and an entrancing cachet of spice are just some of the amplifying scents and savors that one can discover in this electrifying wine. Big, beautiful, and wholly unique, the 2004 Wieninger Nussberg Alte Reben is certainly no wilting flower or German style knock off: Rather, it is a dry, rich, supremely pure, individualistic white wine that must be tasted to be appreciated. "A great concoction," is how one taster described it, and those three words certainly sum up the panel's impression of this wine as well. For optimum enjoyment, we strongly suggest that the Wieninger Alte Reben not be served well chilled. Instead, this wine prefers to be brought to table cool or only slightly chilled. Our preference is for it be only lightly chilled to about 50° F, and then allowed to warm slightly in the glass – this is of course if you have not already finished the glass straight away.

When served only slightly chilled or even at cool room temperature, the 2004 Wieninger Nussberg Alte Reben provides one of the world's greatest sipping wines. However, this is heady stuff, even if it goes down ohhh so easy. Consequently, the Viennese prefer drinking this oenological icon with one of their classic specialties. The Wieningers suggest serving their Nussberg Alte Reben with a stuffed pork roast, and we heartily agree. A thick, juicy, stuffed veal chop offers another heavenly accompaniment. Duck, quail, and squab also provide pleasurable companionship, especially when paired with a plum or berry sauce. Refined pâtés, too, make a great way to start a meal with Wieninger's flagship wine. Similarly, serious alpine cheeses such as aged Apenzeller or Emmenthaler offer a stellar way to finish a feast as well as a bottle of Vienna's finest. Enjoy!

Vienna is justly famous for its pastries, opera, music, and glistening pedestrian thoroughfares, not to mention its lingering Old World charm. However, Austria's capital is equally renowned throughout Europe for its fine wine. In fact, Vienna holds the distinction of being the only world capital to grow and produce fine wine for sale, albeit in small quantities. Wieninger is the most prestigious of Vienna's wineries and Fritz Wieninger is the capital's current oenological star. Dubbed the "King of Viennese winemaking" by his countrymen, Fritz Wieninger is the consummate artist in the cellar. He has, also, been named one of Vienna's "most eligible bachelors," an adage that has no doubt brought potential heiresses out of castles and townhouses and into the cellar – for a taste and a look of course. However, all this recent publicly has hardly distracted the serious minded Fritz Wieninger from his true calling, the production of Vienna's finest wines. Viennese wines and the Wieninger name are nearly synonymous, and they have been for a century. Much of the prestige of Vienna's wines can be attributed to the work of the Wieninger family. For nearly 100 years the Weingut Wieninger was run exclusively as one of Vienna's famous "heurigen" (vineyard taverns). That is until Fritz Wieninger, Jr., the present "King of Viennese wines," became manager of the wine production in the 1980s. Fritz now concentrates solely on fashioning discriminating, high quality wines, which find their way into the world's most exclusive restaurants and specialty shops. A small amount of wine is still sold at the winery and the rest is served at the family's heurigen, which is operated by Fritz's brother Leo. A few fortunate and discerning club members are now among the chosen few to be offered the opportunity to taste Vienna's most famous wine. Fritz Wieninger produces an amazing array of fine wines, all from Viennese vines. At last count there were more than two dozen wines for sale from this great producer, which include white, red, dry, and sweet offerings as well as single vineyard and traditional old vine field blends. Although all of Wieninger's wines are considered to be outstanding examples of their type, a few have garnered world wide attention and international acclaim. First among the estate's wines are the offerings from the Nussberg, Vienna's most prestigious vineyard area. Nussberg wines are known for their power and longevity. Nussberg is also famous for its old vine Riesling, Traminer and field blends, which Fritz Wieninger fashions into modern Viennese masterpieces on par with the cities finest confections. Wieninger's Nussberg Alte Reben (old vines) is the master's most unique and highly sort after wine. We are proud to offer our club members a bottle of this century old tradition; Nussberg Alte Reben bears a vintage photo on the label from the early 1900's, and it features current owner Fritz Wieninger's grandmother in the lower left hand corner. This multi-varietal white known as a "field blend" is a traditional blend from very old vines – all from the Nussberg in Vienna. It consists of all of Vienna's premium white varietals. Prost!