This was another BOGO at Merkur - 2 for €4.95, like the Bordeaux from a few posts ago, but this one's Austrian. Blaufränkisch is a deeper red than a Zweigelt, and typically produced in the Burgenland region of Austria, next to Hungary. I've tried Wegenstein's Zweigelt as well, and was not impressed, but the Blaufränkisch is quite good. It is, after all, called Klassik.
The color is a deep ruby red, and there and hints of blackberry and pomegranate, though it does have high alcohol content, which gives it a bit of a bite. To be paired with food, most definitely. Honestly, this wine is not very good on its own. I bought a selection of cheeses as well at Merkur, and among them, white Irish cheddar, roulade aux noix (goat's cheese with walnuts) and a smoked Gouda tasted quite lovely on Kaisersemmeln and a glass of Blaufränkisch.
One note: the Blaufränkisch is to Zweigelt as Cabernet Sauvignon is to Merlot - have I mentioned this before? Anyway, one is the "parent" grape and the other is the "baby" which gives one a stronger, hardier flavor in the wine...and a better aging process. Oak barrels recommended.
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Did You Know?
A new study from Penn State University has deciphered that, if you're not a wine expert, it's not really worth it to buy expensive wines - you won't be able to tell the difference. Some of this has to do with experience, but, the study argues, some might have to do with biology. Certain people have more refined palates, because of the physiology of their mouths and taste buds (the study calls them "Super Tasters") and these people often end up making a living from this - as a wine taster, food critic, what have you.
But, for the average Joe or Jane, the difference between a $15 bottle of wine and a $100 bottle of wine is indistinguishable, as long the wine is not corked, extremely low-quality (think cooking wine) or otherwise unpalatable.
Perhaps this is not news to you - after all, there's not accounting for taste - but maybe it is. In my case, I certainly hope experience plays a role, and I am not doomed to be a wine philistine for lack of being born with superhuman taste buds.
You can read an article on it from MSN here or listen to the NPR broadcast.
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