Marketing

Austrian Wine at Ely

Austria has a long-term strategy of becoming known as much for wine as for ski-ing or waltzing. But there are difficulties, writes John Brophy.

Crops are relatively small and traditionally they’ve kept the best for themselves. So two years ago they staged an event in Dublin and followed it up last week with a Masterclass in Ely CHQ given by John Wilson of the Irish Times.

It featured 16 wines, plus two dessert wines.

Normally, Austrian wine means white, normally Gruner Veltliner, but John gave special prominence to red wines of the Blaufrankisch variety. This is a strong variety, big enough to accompany game.

There was lavish documentation including claims that prices ex-vineyard can be half of comparable wines from France or California. Of the 17 firms listed, there was only one still seeking representation.

The international trade fair takes place in Vienna between the 9th and 11th of June.

 

 

 


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