wUst Fine Wine Imports
wines U should try!
Tassilo
The Tassilo wnes are from the ancient vineyards of an Abbey in the Wachau that was founded in the year 777 by Duke Tassilo III. The Abbey records indicate that the vineyards were first planted in the year 893.
The sites chosen for the vineyards at the time, which are still the same vineyards now, show insights and knowledge about viticulture that are still important today as a particularly barren and rocky site was chosen that also had a beneficial micro-climate near the Danube. The characteristics of the site produce a striking minerality, precision, and complexity to the wines which I immediately noticed with each wine during my initial visit.
A fun part of the heritage of the site is that the labels include an image of the "Tassilo goblet" which is still part of the Abbey's art collection. It is fun to think about the monk's enjoying some great Gruner Veltliner over 1,000 years ago from the same goblet!
Views from the Ried Alte Point vineyard
More views of the Wachau Tassilo vineyards
The Wines
Tassilo “Steinmauer” Grüner Veltliner 2021
The Steinmauer cuvee is from an enclosed vineyard near the Abbey site that is surrounded by a stone wall (Stein Mauer!). Aromas include camellia, gardenia, honeysuckle, narcissus, white grapefruit, pineapple, and McIntosh apple. Flavors include honeydew melon, white grapefruit, yellow apples, pineapple, and white peaches. There is a medium body, good balance and acidity, and a minerally full finish.
Food pairings would include sole, crab, shrimp, scallops, lobster, halibut, paella, swordfish, mussels, calamari, seafood pasta and salads, veal, pork cutlets, pork tenderloin, chicken, Asian pork, chicken, and seafood dishes, yellow curries, Thai food, Mexican pork and chicken dishes, creamy Mexican food, and mild to medium cheeses.
Tassilo Ried Alte Point Grüner Veltliner 2021
The word Ried in Austria signifies a single vineyard site with notable characteristics from the wine. Although not exactly an equivalent to classifications such as Grosse Lage (Grand Cru) or Erste Lage (Premier Cru) in Germany or France, the designation and only be used after approval from local wine industry groups. For this Ried Alte Point cuvee, aromas
include white flowers, citrus blossoms, honeysuckle, narcissus, gardenia, pear, and green apple. Flavors include pear, green apple, honeydew melon, and white grapefruit. There is a medium body, perfect balance and acidity, and a very refreshing and minerally medium finish.
Food pairings would include sole, crab, scallops, halibut, sea bass, clams, seafood pasta and salads, veal and pork cutlets, pork tenderloin, pork shoulder, grilled chicken, grilled sausages, Asian pork, chicken, seafood, and vegetable dishes, creamy yellow curries, Thai and Vietnamese food, Mexican pork and chicken dishes, enchiladas, tacos, green salad, and medium to sharp cheeses.
