Old World Wines Make a New World Comeback
Austria is one of the oldest wine growing countries in the world, with archeologial evidence of wine production dating back nearly 4000 years ago. Grape seeds have been found in urns within the country as early as 700BC. Austria was noted by the Romans for fine wine production during Celtic times (400BC), and viniculture flourished in the country during the Roman times (9BC), with evidence of the now popular Grüner Veltliner grape having grown along the Danube in that era. By the end of World War 1, Austria was the third biggest wine producer in the world.
Today, Austria produces high quality wines that are taking the new world by storm, with Grüner Veltliner leading the way in the country's vinicultural popularity. Relatively new to the American market, Grüner Veltliner (pronunciation of the umlaut ü is a cross between GROO-ner and GREE-ner, and Veltliner is pronounced as it appears, VEHLT-ly-ner), often referred to as GV or 'Gru-Vee' to aid pronunciation, is a refreshing white wine that is somewhat similar to a Pinot Grigio or a dry Reisling, yet worlds apart. The wine's typical trademark is a fruity-spicy aroma reminiscent of freshly ground black peppercorn. It's fragrant, with a streamlined style and an animated palate with a juicy, melting finish. A versatile food wine.
As popular and exciting as the Austrian whites have become, the country's contemporary reds are starting to take hold in America as well, with a focus on, Zweigelt (pronounced TSVYE-gelt), Austria's most widely grown red grape. Zweigelt is a red wine variety originating from a 19th century Austrian crossing of two older varietals, Blaufränkisch and St Laurent. The zweigelt grape was developed in 1922 by professor Zweigelt at the Klosterneuburg Wine Station and School of Oenology south of Vienna. The grape combines the bite and fruity character of the Blaufränkisch grape and the full body of St. Laurent. The resulting wine is ruby red with violet highlights with sweet amarelle cherry on the nose and melting fruit on the palate.
Both popular varietals Grüner Veltliner and Zweigelt have been nurtured with care and brought to a vibrant new life by young winemaker Werner Michlits with his innovative and fresh brand biokult, made with 100 percent certified organic grapes. The Michlits family is one of the most creative and influential organic wine growing families in Austria and we are proud to have their wines in our portfolio.
|
|
Outstanding Wine Ratings
|
Our fabulous Austrian & French organic wines from Biokult and L de Lagarde received high marks from Wine Enthusiast Magazine.
87 Points
Biokult 2008 Grüner VeltlinerThis is all about fruit-fresh crisp citrus, lively acidity, just cushioned by a creamy, ripe texture. The flavors are vivid, clean, light and ready to drink now.
85 Points
Biokult 2007 Zweigelt
Using many Biodynamic practices, Werner Michlits has crafted a rich, sweet and juicy wine, full of intense fruit, touched by spice, but more to do with black plum, fresh figs and vivid acidity. This is a hearty wine, ready to drink, its final tannins soft.
86 Points
L de Lagarde AOC Bordeaux Rouge
Ratings to be posted in April 2010 issue.
|
|
Greetings!
 We start a New Year with the introduction of our first line of NSA USDA Certified Organic wines from Spain and Italy.
As NSA wines continue to gain in popularity in the U.S., we are now able to offer consumers high quality, affordable and unique choices in the marketplace.
Our wines continue to receive high ratings and acknowledgment, and organic wine sales continue to rise.
We look forward to a successful year of providing fantastic organic wines with the help from all of our valuable partners.
As always, we look forward to your feedback and suggestions.
Sincerely,
Edward Field
Natural Merchants |
| Organic Wine in the News
Interesting tidbits about organic wines
 Green Planet.net
The European Union acknowledges that organic wine is gaining a market
niche in the global food scene, and believes that now is the time to
set up clear and precise rules for this industry as well.
Chicago Now
What's the Point of Organic Alcohol? In the case of organic wine and beer,
products are subject to rigorous certification standards and are often
made with higher quality ingredients that result in a more flavorful
drink...
Gather.com
What's Hot in 2010 in the Hospitality Business? In addition to local wine/beer, the top trends in alcohol are culinary
cocktails; artisan liquor; organic beer/wine/spirits; food-beer
pairings; craft beer; bar chefs/mixologists; gluten-free beer;
specialty beer; and organic cocktails (source: NRA).
Mother Nature Network
Labels on Organic Wines Changing-They're meant to ease confusion, but to those who don't understand the
difference between 'made with organic ingredients' and 'certified
organic,' wine labels can be clear as a glass of cabernet...
|
Wines from Our Fine Organic Portfolio in the News
Jacksonville Wine Guide
Spartico is made from Spain's most prominent and
popular grape, Tempranillo, without the addition of any sulfites during
production. Spartico is imported by Natural Merchants, and will be the 1st in their portfolio to carry the USDA Certified Organic Seal...
My Gourmet Connection
To serve with our Stuffed Mushrooms, we chose Tarantas Cava Brut, a dry
sparkling wine with soft bubbles and fruity apple aromas with a hint of
spice...
Natural Foods Merchandiser
Green, Green Wine-How to Sell Organic and Biodynamic Wine. "Right now, I think we are on the edge of something really big with organic wine," says Edward Field of Natural Merchants...
Winn-Dixie Organic Wines
If you've never tried certified organic wine, now's the time to try one (or a few) and share the experience with your guests...
Tampa News Channel 8/Tampa Tribune.com
Organic wines have been around for a long time, but it's only been recently that they are getting respect from connoisseurs.
|
Natural Merchants Introduces La Cantina Pizzolato NSA Certified Organic Wines
From Italy we present three new NSA wines to the portfolio: La Cantina Pizzolato USDA Certified Organic NSA Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot and and Rosso Convento (50/50 Merlot & Cabernet
Sauvignon blend) wines
(Piave DOC).
"We
began working with NSA wines in 2007, which turned out to be a very good
vintage for NSA Cabernet Sauvignon," said winemaker Settimo Pizzolato.
"We knew that without great grapes we could not have a good wine without
sulfites. We continue to work in the vineyards every day to give the plants the
best conditions that ensure healthy grapes for our NSA wines."
For more information please contact Edward Field ed@naturalmerchants.com.
|
| About Natural Merchants
Natural Merchants, LLC is one of North America's leading Importers and Distributors of the finest natural and organic foods and wines direct from the European and Mediterranean regions.
The Natural Merchants Selections program highlights more than 150 carefully selected wines from Spain, Italy, Germany, Austria, France and Portugal, grown in unique organic terroir, each vineyard producing clean, fresh superior wines that are both good for the earth and tantalizing for the palate.
Selections from our portfolio of organic wines can be found in natural retail stores and accessed through traditional U.S. wine distributors across the country.
We look forward to hearing from you to help with all of your organic wine needs.
North American Office
Ed Field
705 Executive Drive
Winter Park, FL USA 32789
Tel: 1.866.324.5333
Fax: 1.866.784.0422
ed@naturalmerchants.com
European Office
Pilar Merono
C/Carmen 10, 1º Izq.
30201 Cartagena SPAIN
Tel: +34.968.32.15.11
Fax: + 34.968.32.15.50
+ 34.902.51.90.09
|
|
