Zum Wohl! Raise a glass to Austrian Vintner Markus Huber

25 Jul 2012

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Vineyards at the Traisental Valley

Came across a killer value the other day that is a perfect wine for
our warm, summer days. It’s from a young Austrian vintner, Markus
Huber (10th generation to run the family winery). Definitely a
winemaker to watch! The wine is the 2009 Markus Huber Gruner Veltliner
Obere Steigen. It is a perfect example of the harmonious merging of
traditional and modern methods to produce what Markus refers to as
“pure wines of unique provenance and character”.



Obere Steigen Vineyard Map




Many great wines of the world are grown on limestone-rich soil and the
Traisental valley (where this wine is from) is the only wine producing
region of lower Austria where this exact soil type can be found.
Specifically, the fruit is sourced from the Obere Steigen vineyard
found in the village of Reichersdorf. It lies in small terraces
against the slope of the mountain. The subsoil consists mainly of the
region’s characteristic limestone soil blanketed by various layers of
sandy loam top soil that produces particularly good Grüner Veltliner.




Look at the soil!



The vines of Huber are between 25-80 years old and the wines from this
site distinguish themselves on the palate through their marked peppery
tang and juiciness – this one with apple, pear and anise too. In 2009,
Markus Huber looked more to spontaneous fermentation which helped in
creating what seems to be more elegance and complexity in his wines.


This wine is so refreshing with lots of complexity.


-Posted by Anselmo Valte

*Update: We are completely sold out of this wine. Email anselmo@thewineclub.com to stay connected with our future offers.*

By: admin Category: San Francisco, San Jose/Santa Clara, Santa Ana Tags: , , , , ,

Buscovich Family’s Visit to Grgic Vina

13 Jul 2012

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Grgic Vina

Pat Buscovich, owner of The Wine Club, is of Croatian descent. This June 2012 Pat and his family visited Grgic Vina, the winery of Miljenko ‘Mike’ Grgich, President and Winemaker of Grgich Hills Estate, Napa Valley Legend and 2008 Vintner’s Hall of Fame Inductee. Mr. Grgich and Pat had been talking about meeting there this summer. Mike Grgich was unable to make it this year but set up for Pat and his family to visit his Winery in Trstenik ( Peljesac Peninsula ).



Pat and Angie

The wine was excellent. Their red is called Plavac Mali and their white is Posip. Both were very very good and you can find them in Croatia during your next visit. In the USA only at Grgich Hills in Napa .

Pat also saw, touched and took a photo with “the machine”. This “machine” is the wine press that Mike Grgich used to craft the 1973 Chardonnay for Chateau Montelena which was the “champion” at the famous 1976 Paris Tasting.



The 1976 Champion Machine!

Last but definitely not least, Mr. Grgich has set up a very interesting charity.

Working together with Roots of Peace turning mines to vines. Roots of Peace in Croatia.

Since 1999, Roots of Peace has been turning “mines to vines” in the war-torn regions of Croatia . Roots of Peace has supported projects in Dragalic, Bebinge, Cista Mala, Cista Velika, Ilok and Karlovac. We have funded clearance of nearly 500,000 square meters of land, removing over 50 landmines and unexploded ordinance in collaboration with the International Trust Fund of Slovenia, U.S. State Department, Adopt-a-Minefield and the Croatian Government’s Demining Organization (CROMAC).

-Posted by The Wine Club

By: admin Category: San Francisco, San Jose/Santa Clara, Santa Ana Tags: , , , ,

Trip to South America Part II and Kaiken Wines

5 Jul 2012

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Kaiken Vineyards


Next stop on the Mendoza Express was Kaiken winery, owned by the person associated with first putting Chilean wine into the world-class category, Aurelio Montes. He was quick to recognize that the Vistalba region of Mendoza was capable of producing outstanding wine, especially Malbec. In 2002, Montes and his son, Aurelio Jr. leased vineyards and a winery with the commitment to producing the same high quality wine in Argentina as in his homeland across the Andes to the east. Incidentally, Kaiken takes its name from a Patagonian goose that crosses the Andes from one country to the other.

As well as the 100 plus year-old vineyard in Vistalba, Kaiken owns vineyards in the Uco Valley and Agrelo regions with plantings of Cabernet Sauvignon, Bonarda, Syrah, and of course, Malbec. The regions are located at different altitudes and thus produce different characteristics. At 1,700 meters the Uco Valley vines are stressed from the effects of high altitude, extreme climates, and poor soils. These variables produce small, thick skinned grapes that provide structure and concentration. At 900 meters, Agrelo produces fragrant wines full of floral notes and a tell tale spicy quality. Vistalba at 800 meters enjoys a long growing season; providing wines with elegance and soft tannins.

With all of these advantages at their command, Kaiken is poised to a major splash in the market with its ability to make high-quality wines at a value no other country can match. I urge you to put the entry level Kaiken Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon to the test, if you’re thirsty for “high end reds” the Ultra line of Kaiken wines are as impressive as anything in the under $20 range.

See our Kaiken wine selection.

-Posted by Brian Holowka, Santa Ana

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