LOISIUM: When grape whisperers meet wine philosophers

Three top vintagers from Germany, Horst Sauer, vintager of the year 2007 as well as vice president of the Franconian vintagers association, Oskar Georg Noppenberger from Divino Nordheim and winery director Karl-Heinz Rebitzer from the Fürstlich Castell´sches Domänenamt held discussions with famous Kamptal resident and Wachau vintager Johann Donabaum Jr., Rudolf Rabl Jr., Karl Jurtschitsch, Thomas Leithner, Josef Aichinger, Karl Steininger and wine pastor Denk.

The debates were about similarities and differences in wines in Austria and Germany and there were open discussions about the possible future developments in both wine countries. The Frankenland is the German wine-growing region that is particularly known for its excellent Silvaner and Riesling wines. Kamptal, on the other hand is the wine-growing region in which many things were achieved and developed; with wines that are the best white wines in Austria and internationally highly accepted.

Not only were discussions held about extension techniques, wine and architecture, but also about the differences and the similarities of the Silvaner, which used to be called "Österreicher" and Grüner Veltliner. All participants also agreed that wines are often drank way too soon and that the consumers are then surprised how good an "old" wine can taste, since there is less experience with drinking wine, unlike in France.

The summary of all vintagers was that the idea exchange about wine visions of two former and very ambitious wine countries offers an extraordinary potential. The knowledge about wine production and work in the vineyard is the one side of the knowledge exchange, the development of visions and the personal opinion of each vintager and his wine philosophy is the other side and thus an additional aspect that is rarely addressed.

Obviously, it was a very special round table of European vintagers that was held there and which will certainly be continued in the future. The LOISIUM is definitely full of ideas for the upcoming planned visits of European wine experts and their wines.

However, besides the debates, vintagers also take the time to present their wines to the other vintagers. Thus, Franconian wineries were able to convince not only their colleagues from Austria but also the 35 attending journalists and sommeliers with their vintager bubblies, wine specialties and big Prime-class wines. The presentation of the wines and the explanations of the three vintagers about philosophy and quality responsibility in Franconia were always accompanied by the applause of the guests and highly recognizing words.

"The Hotel Loisium is so impressive and interesting and above all the wine worlds, built by the American Holl. The hospitality and the cordial welcome was just as impressive", says Karl-Heinz Rebitzer, winery director of the Fürstlich Castell´sches Domänenamt, about his visit to the Austrian colleagues and adds: "We tasted excellent Grüne Veltliner and perfectly represented ourselves with our Silvaner wines in a country where good German wine is unknown. We have to become a lot more self-confident with our wines in the region - because we have a real "treasure"!"

Highlight was the summary of the "Nestor's" of the Austrian wine scene, Councillor of Commerce and director of the Vienna Congress Center Hofburg, Gerd A. Hoffman, who was romancing about a former, outright "perfect romance" between Franconian vintagers. (aw.yoopress)