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Muskat
(muss-CAT)
An ancient grape from an eminent viticultural family. Muskat wines are usually sweet and full-bodied, perfect as an apertif or with desserts.

Most of the grapes used to make wine can trace their roots back to the French Muscat family. Muskat Ottonel, the variety grown in Austria, produces sweet white wines with an intense, perfumed bouquet.

Typically soft-textured and supple, they exhibit ripe fruit flavors of grape and stone fruits with hints of spice. Muskat wines are rich and mouth filling, with complexity.

Some of the best examples come from the areas surrounding Lake Neusiedl in the southeastern part of the country.

Next grape
Gruner Veltliner
(GROO-nur FELT-leen-er)
King of the Danube, this Austrian favorite produces light, crisp whites noted for their versatility and excellent balance.
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Blaufrankisch
(blouw-FRANN-keesh)
Made from Austria's second most popular red grape, these spicy red wines are charmingly food friendly and full of character.
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St. Laurent
(sahn-luh-RAHN)
Pinot Noir's wilder, more dangerous cousin. This grape creates aromatic red wines with fruity appeal and mouth-filling texture.
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Sauvignon Blanc
(SOH-vin-yon-BLAHN)
An international favorite. These white wines are fresh, bracing and versatile.
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Austrian Wine Tasting Kit

Discover the charms of Austrian wines with friends by hosting your own wine tasting party!

Our Austrian Wine Tasting Kit showcases three of the county's best varietals - Gruner Veltliner, Blaufrankisch, and St. Laurent - all chosen to accompany cool-weather dining.

¥9900 for three-bottle set (includes free shipping within Japan)
estate wines
Go to ordering page at Estate Wines
About Estate Wines

Austrian Wines Dazzle the Pros in London

Austrian wines first stepped into the international spotlight in 2002, when a line-up of Gruner Veltliner outperformed some of the world's finest Chardonnays in a blind tasting judged by industry professionals at London's fashionable Groucho Club.

Two years later, the club hosted a similar blind taste-off featuring Rieslings. Matched against top-class examples from Germany, France and Australia, the Rieslings from Austria stole the show. more below

Sepp Moser Muskat-Saemling, Spaetlese '07
Weingut Sepp Moser
A full-bodied, aromatic white blend with ripe flavors of apple, pear and peach. This late-harvest wine has a touch of residual sugar and makes an excellent apertif. It also pairs nicely with Indian spices, fruit and desserts.
Young and talented winemaker Nikolaus Moser applies strict biodynamic methods the vineyards to produce wines that reflect the terroir and character of the grapes at this respected winery in the cool Kremstal district.
Tasting Notes
A lovely bouquet of apple, pear and peach laced with orange peel. Ripe fruit and floral sweetness on the palate, balanced by lively acidity and mild bitter undertones. A blend of Muskat and Saemling, this wine is smooth textured but not heavy.
Pairing suggestions



Wonderful on its own as an apertif or digestif
Asian-spiced dishes - butter prawn curry; chicken and coconut milk curry with fresh coriander; prawns in sweet and spicy chili sauce
Fruit - persimmons in cardamom-ginger cream; citrus gratin with vanilla ice cream
Desserts - roasted satusuma imo sweet potatoes with butter; dark chocolate truffles
Sweet breakfast foods - pancakes with maple syrup; Belgian waffles with berries
Ordering Information
¥2415/bottle
estate wines
Go to ordering page at Estate Wines
About Estate Wines
Next recommended wine

World-class Austrian wines

Across the globe, the wines of Austria have garnered accolades from some of the most respected names in the industry. Master of Wine Jancis Robinson has praised Austrian whites for their "beautifully pure, full-bodied, food-friendly" character, while New York Times critic Eric Asimov has extolled the "unspeakable delights" of Austrian reds.

This year, a whopping 265 Austrian wines received a score of 90 points or higher -- marking them as "outstanding wines of exceptional complexity and character" -- in Robert Parker's influential publication The Wine Advocate.

Austrian wines have made impressive showings at several international tastings. The country's outstanding wines made from international varieties such as Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc, along with lesser-known grapes including Blaufrankisch and St. Laurent, are gaining fans from New York to London. These hand-crafted, fantastically food-friendly wines pair wonderfully with an array of world cuisines.

Join us in exploring some of Austria's most popular wine varieties and finest vineyards, and discover a few representative Austrian wines to savor in the chilly winter months.



The emphasis in Austria, says Willi Klinger, director of the Austrian Wine Marketing Board, is on quality over quantity.

"We offer authentic, artisanal, individual and natural wines made by families. Our unique microclimates, great culinary tradition and dynamic people make Austrian wine special."

Message from the Austrian Ambassador

"Austrian Wines have a three millenia long tradition paired with a very modern viniculture. Austrian wine makers do not produce big quantities but each individual wine reflects the character of its origin, the particulars of its topography, the culture of its people. I am happy that some of the best wines that Austria produces find their way to Japan and onto elegant Japanese tables to accompany exquisite food."

"Since my arrival some two years ago I made it one of my priorities to make Austrian wines better known in Japan, being confident that true appreciation will follow. I am thankful to Bento.com to give Austrian wines a platform."

Ambassador Jutta Stefan-Bastl, Austrian Embassy
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