Austria’s Crème de la Crème’s Tasting
Becoming a Master of Wine is both the highest accolade and the toughest test for a wine expert.
For the first time in the history of the prestigious Institute of Masters of Wine, a non-British chairman has been elected, Dr Josef “Pepi” Schuller, director of the Austrian Wine Academy in Rust and Krems, and Austria’s only Master of Wine.
The event was celebrated on 11. September 2008 with a tasting of Austria’s finest wines, the Crème de la Crème Tasting, in the prestigious location of Vintners‘ Hall in the centre of London, in a typically English club atmosphere.
Willi Bründlmayer contributed to the event by giving a short lecture on the effects of climate change on viticulture, an argument he supported by presenting two of the “hottest” products from his vineyards, from the warmest year in wine history: Grüner Veltliner Käferberg 2003 and Riesling Zöbinger Heiligenstein 2003.
Especially the Riesling Heiligenstein Alte Reben showed itself in great form and impressed with its ability to maintain a citrus freshness at its core despite its power. A great wine that will continue to mature for decades.
Some of the greatest names in the British wine world were present, among them Jancis Robinson, Michael Broadbent, Serena Sutcliffe, and David Peppercorn.
A great day for Austrian Wine, perhaps the greatest and most successful for many years.
