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Muhr-van der Niepoort Carnuntum
Year
2008
2008
Varietal
Blaufränkisch
Blaufränkisch
Style
Smooth
Smooth
Origin
Austria
Austria
Pairing
Meat
Meat
$25.00 per bottle
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Origin
With less than 2,500 acres currently under vine,
Austria’s Carnuntum region stretches east from the
outskirts of Vienna to the western border of Slovakia. It
owes its viticultural fortunes to a combination of factors:
an unexpectedly warm, dry Pannonian climate; complex,
fast-draining soils; and the moderating influences
of Lake Neusiedl and the nearby Danube River. Even
though viticulture dates back to the Celts (during the
first millennium), Carnuntum is just now emerging as a
modern wine region. Pairings
Ripe but dry, this medium-bodied wine
is vaguely reminiscent of a very big
Burgundy or a more demure Bordeaux.
From a food-pairing standpoint, it can
do many of the things that a ripe, fully
extracted Pinot Noir can, but with added
heft and an herbal wildness. Because
of its slightly leafy-green nuances,
preparing dishes with herbs and herbal
marinades is usually a good bet. While
Blaufränkisch can stand up to some
beef and lamb preparations, it seems
most at home with lighter meats and
sausages. And call it local favoritism,
but Blaufränkisch has quite an affinity
for Austria’s national dish: schnitzel.Serve at cool room temperature (64°F).
Winemaker
Muhr-van der Niepoort is a parnership
between Dorli Muhr (Austrian public
relations goddess) and Dirk Niepoort
(famed Portuguese winemaker). After
Muhr planted grapes on a small parcel
in Carnumtum that she had inherited,
this dynamic duo became enthralled
with the potential of the Blaufränkisch
grape. “I think it’s the most elegant
variety in the world, apart from Pinot
Noir,” Dirk said. The pair began to
buy additional land and procure fruit
from other vineyards. The Muhr-van
der Niepoort brand now consists of a
vineyard-designated “Spitzberg” offering,
as well as this regional blend, aptly
named “Carnuntum.” The Wine
Blaufränkisch, known as Lemberger in
Germany and Kékfrankos in Hungary,
is a red grape that can produce lively
wines of remarkable character. In fact,
most of Austria’s greatest red wines are
made entirely or mostly from Blaufränkisch.
What really makes this Carnuntum
bottling sing is how its fresh,
juicy fruit characteristics dovetail with
herbal nuances of earth and forest. It
offers a seemingly impossible fusion
of Burgundy and Bordeaux, depth and
transparency, power and finesse. Spicy
cherry and wild berry fruit coupled
with penetrating notes of earth and
mineral are deftly framed by ripe, dusty
tannins and vibrant acidity. Recently Viewed :
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