Tasting of Riesling 2014

Riesling is undoubtly number one grape variety in Germany, but it is largely popular also in the Czech Republic. Riesling is probably the finest white grape variety on the basis of the potential for long bottle maturing and its ability to transfer the characteristics of a vineyard without losing Riesling's own unique style. Thanks to the combination of acidity and extract, Riesling can develop very well in bottles regardless of the sweetness style. The high natural level of acid provides Riesling with a great counterbalance to residual sugar, therefore it is often used for production of very sweet wine sorts such as ice wine, straw wine or botrytized wine.
 

Riesling 2014

semi-dry

Spätlese

11,3 % alc.

residual sugar: 15,7 g/l

acids: 9,7 g/l

Moravia region, Mikulov subregion, vineyard Za cihelnou

The grape variety is very late, it is harvested at the end of October. Riesling wines are highly aromatical, they reveal different fruit notes based on degree of sugar by the harvest, but the style differs also depending on the vineyard location and type of soil. The wines are not suitable for aging in oak barrel, therefore remain racy, even tart and refreshing. In the Czech Republic it is called "Rhein Riesling" to distinguish from Welschriesling (by the way these two wine grapes have nothing in common except for the name). Riesling is the third most common white grape variety planted on area of 1.260 ha both in Bohemia and Moravia wine region.

 

The color is saturated, bright yellow. The aroma is slightly mineral, with notes of lime and citruses, flowers and dried fruits. The palate is racy, citruses, apples and white peaches appear in the taste. The fine sweetness of residual sugar balances the brisk acidity, making it harmonic and pleasantly refreshing.

This Riesling 2014 comes from the collection FLOWER LINE which connects wines full of joy and optimism, produced with an intent to emphasize the primary varietal aromatics, intense fruits, freshness and crispiness. The positive energy of the wines  is supported also by eye-catching paintings of wild flowers on the label, attracting mainly women customers. 

 

From the FLOWER LINE collection you can try also Moravian Muscat 2015.

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Tasting of Zweigelt Rosé 2015

Zweigelt, or in Czech called the full German name 'Zweigeltrebe', is a dark-berried grape variety which was bred in Austria in 1922 by Dr. Zweigelt. Nowadays it is the most planted red grape variety in Austria and it became also popular over the border in the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary. It is a cross of Blaufränkisch and St. Laurent, the yields are very generous, therefore it is important to reduce the yields in order to produce high quality wines with full body but yet smooth. The palate of Zweigelt is a great combination of the two varieties, it has the elegancy of St. Laurent but at the same time it is brisk with distinct tannins of Blaufränkisch.



Zweigelt Rosé 2015

semi-sweet

Kabinett

10,5% alc.

residual sugar: 23,1 g/l

acids: 7,2 g/l

Moravia region, Slovacko subregion, Lanzhot - vineyard Strazove hony

Although rosé wines create a marginal part of the production in the Czech Republic, their popularity has been growing in recent years. This Zweigelt Rosé comes from the winery Skoupil from Velke Bilovice. Beautiful rosé colored wine with flaming glints, the aroma is full of forest fruits and fine honey notes. The palate is elegant and fruity with major strawberry and blackberry notes, afterwards it reveals also other red berries, cherries and honey notes. A distinctive acidity makes the wine brisk and refreshing despite high residual sugar. The aftertaste is softend with yoghurt and cream notes, typical for Moravian rosé wines. The wine has won Silver Medal at San Francisco International Wine Competition 2016 and Festwine 2016.

The low percentage of alcohol and sweet fruity taste determine this rosé to appeal especially to women. Furthermore the wine  features an interesting label – a dark pink label with carved patterns inspired by pottery from prehistoric times which was found at archeological sites in Velke Bilovice where the winery Skoupil is located. This simple idea connects a modern design with the tradition and history of winemaking in this area.

From this beautiful collection "Pottery" we offer also Pálava 2015.

 

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Tasting of Welschriesling 2012

Welschriesling is a white grape variety which is absolutely unrelated to the Riesling grape from Germany. It is widely planted in central and eastern Europe and also in Italy. The late-ripening grape is highly demanding on sunny, dry slopes, it fits for clay or sandy carvel soils. Welschriesling keeps a distinctive acidity level therefore it is suitable also for sweet wines such as ice wine or straw wine, as the acidity balances the residual sugar very well. The variety is also widely used for cuvées and sparkling wines preventing the dullness of the blend. In the Czech Republic, Welschriesling is the 4th most grown variety, planted on more than 1.200 ha of vineyards. Welschriesling has a great terroir in the Mikulov subregion, particularly the area of Pálava Hills, where the calcareous soil contributes to highly extractive wines with a pleasant minerality. 



Welschriesling 2012

dry

Spätlese

13,5% alc.

residual sugar: 2,3 g/l

acids: 5,4 g/l

Moravia region, Mikulov subregion

This Welschriesling by the winery Zamecke vinarstvi Bzenec - the collection GRANDS VINS D'ALFONS MUCHA - comes from the Mikulov subregion. Brightly yellow colored wine with golden glints, the aroma is fresh and fruity with notes of linden blossom, apples, gooseberries and yellow melon with sweet hint of honey raisins. The palate is harmonic with zesty acidity, the notes of lime, apples and pears, rounded by honey and vanilla tones. The wine is lingering into notes of dried fruits and nuts, with a light mineral aftertaste.

This wine comes from a collection GRANDS VINS D'ALFONS MUCHA featuring paintings by world known Czech Art Nouveau painter Alfons Mucha. He was born in Moravia and produced at the turn of 19th and 20th century. The painter became famous literally overnight when in 1895 painted an advertisement for the Parisian play Gismonda for Sarah Bernhardt, the famous actress in Théatre de la Renaissance. The poster had such a huge success that the actress started a six year contract with him. 

Mucha's paintings feature often young women in flowing robes surrounded by flowers, the posters are characterized by pastel colors. Altough he produced lots of posters, illustrations, advertisements and postcards, his masterpiece is the so called The Slav Epic depicting, on twenty huge canvases, the history of Czech people and other Slavic nations.

From this beautiful collection we offer also Pinot Noir Rosé 2014 and Pinot Blanc 2012.

 

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