Vintage Vinos — Austrian Tastings

A small but mighty contingent of the Vintage Vinos met on Wednesday September 9th at Pat and Gary’s for the tasting co-hosted by the Jacksons and the Cadman/Browne’s. Some group members were busy travelling and enjoying the off season but those who attended had a simply wonderful time.

The theme was Austrian and Turkish wine to reflect the travels earlier this year of the Jacksons and the Cadman/Browne’s. The Jacksons came to visit Pat and Gary in Vienna in May and then the four intrepid travelers continued on to Istanbul, Turkiye.

We did our best to find Turkish wine here in B.C. but alas, there is none to be found. Therefore, the Gruner Veltliner grape from Austria was chosen as the wine. We were able to find a lovely Gruner Veltliner from Austria to compare with a Gruner Veltliner from B.C. The final wine selected was a German Spätlese to compliment the special surprise dessert.
Wine #1
Singing Gruner Veltliner Laurenz V. 2024 Austria
Wine #2
Winemakers Cut Gruner Veltliner 2024 Oliver, B.C. (Grapes from the Yakima Valley)
Wine #3
Gustav Adolf Schmitt Niesteiner Spatlese Germany (White Blend)

Everyone brought an appetizer to compliment the wine and Gary made a beer braised smoked pork hock similar to the one we had tasted in Vienna. All of the food paired beautifully with the Gruner Veltiner wines. The dessert was a special surprise prepared by Sharon who had baked a Sachertorte (Austrian
Imperial Chocolate cake with apricot). The cake was divine and complimented the Spatlese wine perfectly. The final surprise was a plate of Turkish Delight which came directly from the original Turkish Delight Shop founded in Istanbul in 1777.

During the evening much fun was had collectively sharing a few favourite travel stories and culinary delights. We are all looking forward to our next event on October 14th .

Submitted by Pat Browne