Fine vines

At a recent wine tasting event, Cafe Europa presented four Austrian wines, two white, two red, to illustrate the range and diversity of wine styles produced in the central European nation. With a continental climate of warm summers and crisp, cold winter, Austria is at the forefront of the movement towards elegant, food-friendly wines. These Austrian wines are usually produced in small quantity and high quality.

One of the two white wines is Scholoss Maissau, Gruner Veltliner (150 yuan/bottle) DAS, Weinviertel, 06. According to the host, this is one of the most famous Austrian wines, and the most sought after in some Western countries, by those wishing to try something different. Straw yellow in color, this classy wine is silky and full on the palate, with flavors of stone fruit and the "white pepper" finish on the palate, which is characteristic of Gruner Veltiner. It is great as an aperitif, or an accompaniment to seafood, salads, and antipasto.

The second white wine is Johann Topf, Riesling (210 yuan/bottle), Wechselberg, Kamptal 2006. It is a wine with a touch of sweetness balanced by crisp acidity. The palate has flavors of apples and stone fruits. It is a perfect complement to seafood dishes, chicken, and grilled honey pork, or with paella and scallops.