These Three
Hello and welcome to the September edition of the l’Art du Vin wine club!
This mixed case is all about discovery, bringing together three winemakers who each have their own style and story to tell: Rainer Wess from Austria’s Wachau, Gerhard Pittnauer from Burgenland, and Edoardo Miroglio from Bulgaria’s Thracian Valley. It’s a line-up that promises both comfort and surprise in every bottle – perfect for this time of year as the weather starts to turn!
Rainer Wess is a master of precision. His whites, especially Grüner Veltliner and Riesling, are fresh, mineral, and beautifully balanced – wines that show off just how good Austria is at clean, food-friendly styles. Then you’ve got Gerhard Pittnauer, who makes reds that are all about energy and drinkability. Working mainly with local grapes like Zweigelt and Blaufränkisch, his wines are bright, juicy, and just plain fun to drink, whether on their own or with dinner.
To round things out, we head to Bulgaria with Edoardo Miroglio. His vineyards sit in the historic Thracian Valley, where sunshine and altitude combine to produce bold, characterful reds and refined sparkling wines. It’s a region that’s still under the radar, but the quality will make you sit up and take notice.
Together, these three producers give you a tour of styles and places that I hope will bring you some exciting surprises!
As always, thanks for your continued support and, if you have any comments or questions then please do not hesitate to get in touch.
Cheers!
Philippe
Gruner Veltliner, Weingut Rainer Wess, Wachau, Austria 2022
Producer
Located in the exclusive production district of the Wachau, an area of around 15 kilometres in length on the banks of the Danube, the Rainer Wess winery draws from a collection of vines on what are some of Europe’s most fertile soils.
The landscape surrounding the vineyard evidences the local history of the region, recognised as one of the oldest cultural districts in Europe.
Stone terraces, fortified hills, evidence of ancient fruit groves and a whole host of traditional customs ensure that locals are very proud of their heritage, a mantra they maintain when it comes to wine production.
Tasting Notes
Juicy stone fruit, lemon and typical white pepper and herbs aromas. There is added complexity of delicious struck-match, flint and vanilla pod. Very fresh palate with notes of lemon curd, gingerbread and peaches. A wine for every palate as it is both complex and absolutely charming.
Food Pairing
Incredibly versatile, pairing well with seafood, spicy Asian and Middle Eastern cuisines, light vegetable dishes, and soft cheeses like Brie and Camembert. Its high acidity cuts through rich or spicy foods, while its subtle herbaceous and peppery notes complement dishes with asparagus, mushrooms, and fresh herbs.
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Soli ‘White’, Edoardo Miroglio, Thracian Valley, Bulgaria 2023
Producer
Edoardo Miroglio thought that Bulgarian terroirs should be explored more with regards to quality winemaking, so he set off on a two-year-long quest to uncover land that would allow him to produce complex Pinot Noir. Edoardo, who was originally a textile manufacturer in his native Italy, settled on the micro-region of Elonovo, in the Eastern Thracian Valley, that was found to possess many similar soil and climatic characteristics to Burgundy. Now his team, under the leadership of winemaker Dessislava Baichevaa and viticulturist Alberto La Rosa, make a number of elegant Pinot Noir cuvées that age well.
Alberto previously worked at many prestigious Barolo estates, and as a result, there is a strong Italian influence in his wines. Of particular interest to Alberto is the indigenous Bulgarian grape varietal Mavrud, which he has found is likely to be a predecessor of Nebbiolo. Over the last few years he has been experimenting with a variety of Mavrud clones, and now produces some simply stunning wines with this little known grape.
Tasting Notes
An aromatic blend of grape varieties that are typical of the region, particularly Riesling and Traminer, backed up by a proportion of international varieties – namely Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay. Spicy and aromatic yet dry and fleshy, with juicy peach and apple characters.
Food Pairing
Delicious on its own – also equally delicious when matched with Vietnamese food or pork dishes.
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Soli Pinot Noir, Edoardo Miroglio, Thracian Valley, Bulgaria 2021
Producer
Edoardo Miroglio thought that Bulgarian terroirs should be explored more with regards to quality winemaking, so he set off on a two-year-long quest to uncover land that would allow him to produce complex Pinot Noir. Edoardo, who was originally a textile manufacturer in his native Italy, settled on the micro-region of Elonovo, in the Eastern Thracian Valley, that was found to possess many similar soil and climatic characteristics to Burgundy. Now his team, under the leadership of winemaker Dessislava Baichevaa and viticulturist Alberto La Rosa, make a number of elegant Pinot Noir cuvées that age well.
Alberto previously worked at many prestigious Barolo estates, and as a result, there is a strong Italian influence in his wines. Of particular interest to Alberto is the indigenous Bulgarian grape varietal Mavrud, which he has found is likely to be a predecessor of Nebbiolo. Over the last few years he has been experimenting with a variety of Mavrud clones, and now produces some simply stunning wines with this little known grape.
Tasting Notes
Plush, expressive & floral – a fantastic Bulgarian Pinot Noir with Italian influence. Succulent cherry, rhubarb and sweet strawberry laced with cinnamon and sandalwood notes.
Food Pairing
The perfect foil to mushrooms, richer poultry like duck, and pork dishes due to its fruity, earthy notes and soft acidity. It also complements lamb, beef stew, charcuterie, and vegetarian dishes such as risotto.
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‘Velvet’, Gerhard Pittnauer, Burgenland, Austria NV
Producer
Gerhard Pittnauer is undoubtedly one of the stars of the Austrian winemaking scene, producing a host of powerful reds which showcase the quality of Austria’s indigenous grape varieties.
His base in the town of Gols is located in the Burgenland region, famed for the amount of sunlight it receives each year.
As a result, Gerhard is able to fashion supple, modern wines that all display his signature, silky soft tannins.
Tasting Notes
Pittnauer's ‘Velvet’ is a form of introduction to Austrian reds. A blend of Zweigelt and Blaufränkisch, it is soft and spicy with those trademark ‘velvety’ tannins.
Food Pairing
An ideal partner to roast or BBQ pork, game (like deer and venison), veal, poultry, and mild/soft cheeses. As a red wine with a "velvety" tannin profile and spicy notes, it's particularly suited to richer dishes that can stand up to its character.
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