Family Barbeque, Great Steak, Amarone and Austrian Grüner Veltliner

  The family was long overdue for a barbeque at the Haven in Niagara. It felt like we had been through 9 months of Winter. The weather this long weekend was a bit spotty but it was nice and sunny today. We started with New York Sirloin strips, red potatoes, salad and asparagus. We cracked open the gorgeous Amarone that was recommended to us by Pino Piscitelli. It was big. It was rich and oh yeah, it was great.

Montresor Amarone Della Valpolicella 2004

  This is a big Amarone with a bouquet of classic dark and fruity raisins. Great intensity of cherries, plums and raspberry with a hint of cedar. Smooth and full bodied.  We let it breath before we started sipping. 50% Corvina Veronese, 35% Rondinella, 15% Molinara.  This wine comes from the classic area of the Valpolicella (North-West of Verona). Amarone is a late harvest wine in which the grapes are dried until February, and then they are crushed. This wine is fermented in stainless steel tanks for 4 months in oak casks and barrels for 3 years. It is only released for sale after 6 months in bottle. The bottle, BTW, has an interesting old-style finish that make it look like it's been in the cellar for years. Cool!

  Then prior to our Dairy Queen run, we couldn't wait to crack open the Grüner Veltliner...

Weingut Andert Grüner Veltliner Reserve 2007

  Elegance reigns in this fine wine.  It starts with a fruity bouquet and hints of vanilla followed by delicate creamy butter. Flavours of peaches, tropical fruit, grapefruit rind, hints of white pepper and petroleum with fresh honey and  a clean and lingering finish. Complex, yet delicate balance. As we discuss the wine I reminisce about Josef Andert's winemaking philosophy and talent. Yes, he pulled it off yet again. How exquisite. Grüner Veltliner is a unique Austrian noble varietal that is taking the wine lovers' world by storm. It is complex, refined, refreshing and intriguing. This particular example represents the varietal with highest distinction.