The EWBC in action ... in my glass

One of my favourite memories of the EWBC this year was when we put our collective palates on the line to learn about Austrian wines, taste a range of different bottles, then select a favourite (albeit slightly unscientifically).

The best bit was that this selection had an IMMEDIATE, practical effect, because the winning wine not only got our vote and our thanks, but also gained a retail listing in the UK with Naked Wines.

This was the knowledge and influence of bloggers IN ACTION. It delivered an actual bottle of wine to my table - the most tangible way of giving value to consumers, retailers and producers that there is.

So, who won, and how was it?

The winning wine was the Gemischter Satz Nussberg Classic 2009 by Gerhard Lobner from Weingut Mayer am Pfarrplatz as chosen by the 200 wine bloggers assembled in the Schonbrunn Castle in Vienna.

When I got back home I immediately bought my 'Advance Purchase' pack of this wine to be delivered before Christmas, which, I am happy to say, they achieved with 4 days to spare.

My thoughts, as shared on the site, were:

Gemischter Satz Nussberg Classic 2009
produced by Gerhard Lobner in Vienna, Austria
Note: Glad we chose this wine at the EWBC in Vienna in October. It is something a little different from the usual.

It has a very pleasant, easy drinking tropical fruit style that still doesn't stray too far from the kind of elegant, complex, slightly spicy style of white wine that one associates with the single varietal wines of Austria such as Gruner Veltliner.

The ripe fruit finishes brightly with a lovely mineral freshness. A field blend (Gemischter Satz) offers something distinctive in this variety-obsessed wine market, and to achieve this sort of quality for this price, from a vineyard within the city-limits of a European capital, is something truly unique and definitely worth exploring.
Rating: 4 (in 5)
(Tasted on December 21, 2010)

Cueva del Contador, Rioja 2008

P285

A decent impression of red & black fruit on the nose, but not very expressive really.

VERY highly extracted, to the point of undrinkability. So much dry tannin and really missing freshness. Fruit seems wrapped in mineral and tannin package. There is an impression of ripe fruit in there, but ultimately this is out of balance.

Still too young, or simply overdone?

Shame!

Tasted, by the glass from an enomatic machine in Pata Negra, Calle Laurel, Logroño, La Rioja, Spain

Hunting for Franciacorta in the UK

I'm on a hunt for Franciacorta wines in the UK for Xmas. 

If you are a retailer, brand or agent please let me have details to share.

If you are a wine lover and want to know where to get some, keep an eye on this page and blog!

Leave me a comment below or on twitter (@thirstforwine) so I can gather the details for a post in the next few days

UPDATED: Here are some of the Franciacorta wines I have found and where you can get them in the UK

Il Mosnel (http://www.ilmosnel.com/): You can buy them at : Colasanti

Ferghettina (http://www.ferghettina.it/): You can buy this from Flagship Wines and Woodwinters

Fratelli Berlucchi (http://www.fratelliberlucchi.it/): You can find this in Androuet Cheese & Wine in Spitafield Market, Highbury Vintners and Partridges

Ca' del Bosco (http://www.cadelbosco.com/): You can get this at Nickolls & Perks and Fine + Rare Wines

Cavalleri (http://www.cavalleri.it/): You can get this at A Moveable Feast

Also apparently available (but no stockists found yet):

Friday Weird Food Post: This dish is alive!

In my latest trip around the UK on wine duties, I visited the lovely Royal Baths Chinese Restaurant in Harrogate. The place is stunning itself, and the food was great (home-made dim-sum was wonderful and fresh) but the star was this noodle dish ... that really seemed to be alive.

I have no idea how they did it, but it seemed to be filled with fluttering butterflies

Unfortunately I missed most of the action in amazement and then getting the iPhone to load the camera. Go and experience it yourself!