Hochriegl Frizzante Acht

According to the bottle, the Hochriegl Frizzante Acht is a Viennese traditon. To me, it just tasted like any other sparkling wine.

I have not had incredible luck finding good wine in Vienna. In Austria, yes. In Vienna, no. I think back to a bottle of rosé I bought from Wein & Co. the first time I was in Vienna four years ago. It was terrible...though, to be fair, it followed a very good Kékfrancos (the one mentioned in this post, though not the titular Kékfrancos) bought in Budapest and accompanied by too many Mozartkugeln. From which the inevitable happened: one of us got sick, and both of us swore off Austrian wine.

Not a fair judgment to be sure. Personally, I have enjoyed many an Austrian wine since, and will continue to do so. But, as far as prosecco goes, it's a better bet to stick with the Italian varieties. I can honestly say I've had very good sparkling wine in  Italy - and, limited by budget, it's been 100% cheap-ass prosecco. Keep this in mind, friends:

V.C.'s Rules to Follow when Purchasing a Wine in Austria:
1. Austria is great for a Grüner Veltliner, a Zweigelt or sometimes a Blaufränkisch.
2. In Vienna, you will be gouged for French wines. Instead, buy Austrian.
3. Austria is really close to Italy, so Italian wines are cheaper than French ones. But not as cheap as Austrian.
4. Always buy Italian prosecco, even if it's not on sale.
5. When given the choice between a sale-priced French wine and an Italian wine, it's your call.
6. Similar to French wines, American wines are insanely overpriced. Something you could get at Festival Foods for $5 in Wisconsin (i.e. Turning Leaf) is priced roughly at €12. Just because it's imported.
7. Cheap is fine. Cheap-ass might get you in trouble*.

*For example, stay away from anything in a 2 liter plastic bottle, no matter how appealing the price may be.

More Wine Splurges in Venice: Caffe Florian

Much like our other post from a few days ago, this one is about our indulgences in Venice.

me with (unseeable) bell town in background

While in Venice, we partook in the Venetian cafe culture at the Caffe Florian on Piazza San Marco. Although a bit more than what we should have paid for a glass of wine (8 euro) and sandwich (12 euro), the cafe is one of the oldest coffee houses in the city (serving overpriced sandwiches since 1720) and was a great cultural experience, albeit one I only need to do once in a lifetime. We chose Caffe Florain for 1) name recognition (thanks, Rick Steves) and 2) for its live music. All of the cafes on St. Mark's Square have live bands in the evening, but Caffe Florian's band had a little something special. Perhaps it was the woman violinist? The accordion player?

Callie enjoying the music

Knowing that Venice caters to tourists almost as a natural process of the city's functions (it's hard to imagine Venice without tourists, actually), felt too-good-to-be-true at times: like Disney World. Like there was no real life in the city, and no real inhabitants. Just pretty buildings and canals. Like we were visiting a museum for an extended weekend. And like we really mattered to the wait staff, hotel staff, etc., etc. as long as we could pay up in the end. Venice, decidedly so, is not for the faint of pocketbook. Thus, splurge ;)

Also, photos of us enjoying Bellinis (finally uploaded!!)

Breaking the Budget: Vino in Venezia

Having recently reunited for a European adventure (take two), V.C. and I have returned (in her case) and arrived (in mine) in Austria from Italy, where we visited Venice and the Italian Riviera. Beautiful! Relaxing! Delightful! We love Italy even more than the first time we did when we were there three years ago. Three years can change a lot of things...

Today I bring you a vinous update from the watery canals of Venice, that most elegant city, where the drink of choice is a Bellini, followed closely by prosecco.

Having decided that if we were going to drink Bellinis, they should be good Bellinis, we decided to forgo the frugal path of wisdom in favor of splurging on 8 Euro Bellinis at the Hotel Metropole, an elegant and otherwise unaffordable establishment on Venice's lagoon. Served in the characteristic Bellini glass and made with freshly crushed peaches, we were not disappointed in the drinks or in the frankly decadent grandeur of our setting, the Metropole's "Oriental Bar," where we were further entertained by a Russian businessman and an elderly British couple being condescending toward each other as they debated the various merits of buying an ocean liner so they could, we kid not, sail to Capetown and Shanghai, Rio de Janeiro and Monte Carlo.

We in no way condone splurging unnecessarily on drinks. If at all possible, doing so should be avoided. However, with the right time and place, it is certainly fun to drink a Bellini at the Hotel Metropole.

A more affordable option might be to make your own. It's quite simple. Simply purchase a bottle of prosecco, champagne or similar sparkling wine and a fresh peach or two (depending on the number of guests and/or bellinis required). Mash up the peaches to a fine pulp and pour into the bottom of the glass (champagne flutes seem to be preferred but those who are offended by a simple wine glass shouldn't do this anyway). Pour champagne/prosecco on top. Serve. It's that simple!*

Alternatively, for those whom peach-mashing is too much trouble, it is possible to buy pre-made "Bellini," sold to our knowledge throughout much of Italy as well as in World Market in the U.S. It is an acceptable alternative, provided you are willing to subject your body to so many preservatives.

*You may also add a splash of peach schnapps but it is not really necessary.