Yesterday The Wine House hosted an in-store wine tasting featuring Terry Theise, USA’s premier importer of German & Austrian wines as well as, growers Champagnes (sparkling wines of Champagne that aren’t produced in the larger houses). A true wine aficionado, Terry started importing wines from Germany in the 1980′s. To say that Terry is knowledgeable about wine would truly be an understatement. He is an award winning, progressively intellectual wine professional and I truly enjoyed meeting him and tasting some of the wines he imports.
I also had the pleasure of meeting another lovely man, Adam Zuckert. Adam had the most important job of the day. He poured all of the great wines we got to sample.
Featured were the following:
Champagne
- NV Hebrart, Brut, Cuvee de Reserve
Austria
- 2008 Hofer, Gruner Veltliner Liter
- 2006 Prieler Leithaberg Weiss
- 2003 Brundlmayer, St Laurent Ried Ladner
Germany
- 2007 Spreitzer, Rielsing Trocken Liter
- 2007 Leitz, Redesheimer Magdalenenkreuz Spatlese
Also poured were a Wagner Stemper and the AJ Adam Riesling. The Riesling was absolutely delicious. A smooth and creamy wine with flavors of citrus fruit and honey. It was definitely a welcomed surprise.
Of the wines listed above I had two favorites…the Brundlmayer and the Lietz. As most of you know I love Zinfandels and the Brundlmayer had the frutiness of Zinfandel with the pizazz of Grenache & Pinot Noir. The sugar content of the Brundlmayer was not as apparent as an American Zin but the full fruitiness was certainly there. I found this wine very tasty and appropriate for any occasion.
The Lietz Riesling is a fruity wine with a silky texture and flavors of peach and grapefruit. I found it to be semi-sweet with a tangy twist. This delicious wine can be enjoyed with a meal or alone (as long as it is chilled) on a hot summer day.
From the standpoint of the wine…most of what was poured was delicious. One suggestion to the owner of The Wine House… please get a bigger, more comfortable tasting area. For a store this size there should be a bigger area to accommodate the people who attend the wine tasting.
One special or unique thing that The Wine House offers is a self serve tasting room (see pictures below). These machines are set up with various bottles of wine that patrons can taste at their leisure. You just insert your money or pre-paid card and push the button for the wine you want to taste and voila…you glass is automatically filled.
This is the wave of the future in wine tasting… Sorry Adam.
If you have never been to The Wine House you must check it out. Not only do they have rows and rows of wine for your drinking pleasure they have a great restaurant for a unique dining experience. Check them out today.



