The Neuburger
Grape
An indigenous white grape variety of Austria, producing wines that are rich and full-bodied, with flavors of nuts, honey, and butter, often with a mineral undertone. Neuburger is versatile, capable of making both dry and sweet wines, and offers an alternative taste profile within Austrian white wines.
Neuburger
Grape History
Neuburger is a white wine grape variety that has its origins in Austria. It is believed to be a natural crossing of Roter Veltliner and Sylvaner, making it a relatively recent addition to the world of wine grapes. Neuburger was first documented in the 19th century in the Danube region of Austria and has since gained popularity in various winemaking regions across Central Europe.
This grape variety is characterized by its high productivity and resistance to various vine diseases, making it a favorite among winemakers for its reliability in the vineyard. The Neuburger grape is known for producing full-bodied, aromatic wines with a rich texture and a vibrant acidity. Its flavors often include notes of citrus, green apple, and floral undertones, making it a versatile grape for winemaking.
While Neuburger has historically been used in blends with other grape varieties, some winemakers are now producing single-variety Neuburger wines to showcase the unique qualities of this grape. In Austria, Neuburger is primarily grown in the regions of Wachau, Kremstal, and Traisental, where it thrives in the cooler climate and limestone-rich soils.
Neuburger is commonly used to produce dry white wines, but it is also used in the production of sparkling wines and sweet wines, adding depth and complexity to the final product. Its ability to adapt to different winemaking techniques and styles has contributed to its growing popularity among winemakers and consumers alike.
The future of Neuburger is promising, as more winemakers are recognizing its potential for producing high-quality wines. With increasing interest in unique and indigenous grape varieties, Neuburger is likely to gain further recognition on the international wine market in the coming years. Its ability to reflect terroir and produce expressive wines makes it an exciting grape variety to watch in the world of wine.
Introduction
Hello, my name is Franklin Laurel - Welcome!
I started drinking wine in 1992 when I was in my early twenties and recently married. Like many other young Southern Californians, it started out with White Zinfandel. As we were a couple of young DINKs just beginning life together, and on a budget, our go-to-wine was Sutter Home White Zinfandel, which tasted a lot like wine coolers and probably cost at the time $2.49. If we really were going to splurge, we would step it up and buy Beringer White Zinfandel for $2.99. Those were the days....
After a little time, we decided to get fancy. We stepped up our game and bought some wonderful 2-Buck Chuck from Trader Joe's. The Charles Shaw (Trader Joe's Exclusive Label) wine, also known as 2-Buck-Chuck extended our pallet into Reds for only $1.99 a bottle. Over the years we continued to grow in our understanding of wine (finally ran into some good wine) and we slowly kept buying better and better bottles.
Our first wine club purchase was from Kenwood's Vineyards, in Kenwood, California located in Sonoma Valley, right next to the famous Napa Valley. I began to learn about tobacco leather, and earthiness, and lots of other strange terminology when tasting their signature Zinfandels (of the red variety). So that is how it all began.
Fast forward a couple decades, and we have been members of five different wine clubs, and now have a passion for California's red wines. My favorite by far is Cabernet Sauvignon, while my wife fancies a good Syrah, Malbec, or Merlot - but she also loves the smell of a wine barrel room, which is all about the notes of Cabernet Sauvignon.
As I come across great wine resources and useful information that I find in planning my own wine trips, I will share here for anyone that might stumble across my humble website.
Cheers! - Franklin Laurel