In late 2022, Hahndorf Hill held a tasting of Austrian-variety wines for the Adelaide Hills Gruner Growers Group at our Hahndorf cellar door. They say a picture is worth 1000 words, so here are several pictures to illustrate the wonderful wines that were on display.
The table of white wines was laden with delicious Gruner Veltliners from Austria, the Adelaide Hills, and from other cool-climate regions such as Tasmania, the Canberra District, Tumbarumba and the Franklin River region in Western Australia. There were also some wonderful examples of Gemischter Satz wines – the authentic field blends which Vienna made famous.
The table of red wines showcased Austria’s trinity of perfumed, supple reds – Zweigelt, Blaufrankisch and Saint Laurent – with Australia’s own versions of these same reds also available to enjoy.
The Adelaide Hills is the epicentre for Gruner Veltliner production in Australia, and on display was a selection of the diverse range of Gruner Veltliner wines that can be found in the Adelaide Hills. Hahndorf Hill makes four styles of Gruner Veltliner – Classic, Reserve, New World and Dessert-style.
Gruner Veltliners from the other cool-climate wine regions of Australia.
Some of Austria’s most respected wine brands were represented in the Gruner Veltliners from the Wachau, Kamptal and Wagram wine regions.
A line-up of refreshing Gemischter Satz (field blend) wines from Austria, plus Hahndorf Hill’s own field blend, ‘Brother Nature’, featuring the grapes from 12 white varieties interplanted in one block in our vineyard and all co-harvested and co-fermented together.
Zweigelt is Austria’s most widely-planted and most popular red grape variety, where it is grown in many wine regions. Currently, there are three Australian wine producers of Zweigelt.
Blaufrankisch is Austria’s prestige red grape variety and is widely grown in Burgenland. The tasting featured two Blaufrankisch wines from Australia and the rest hailing from Austria.
Saint Laurent is Austria’s best-kept red wine secret. DNA analysis has confirmed that Saint Laurent is the genetic daughter of Pinot Noir. At this stage, Hahndorf Hill is the sole producer of Saint Laurent in Australia. The tasting included some top-notch Austrian producers of Saint Laurent.
