February 21, 2025 | france, who? an encouragement of exploration

"France, who?" - An Encouragement of Exploration

What are the winemaking countries of Europe? For many, the answer to this question is a foregone conclusion. Generally, it’s assumed that the conversation will be dominated by the likes of France, Spain, and Italy. And honestly, we understand the impulse. However, that assumption would barely scratch the surface of what the continent truly has to offer. So, this week, we dusted off the history books, unrolled the maps, and looked a bit further east. Our tasting is highlighting Central and Eastern Europe, calling regions to the foreground that have been somewhat unfairly cast aside as understudies on the world stage. And frankly, there are pointed reasons why this has occurred. The area has suffered countless wars, gone through numerous transfers of powers, experienced the rise and fall of communism, not to mention, that pesky little phylloxera beetle. However, the human spirit is a testament to tenacity, and as we are reminded, so are grapevines. As Eastern and Central Europe has worked to reclaim its winemaking identity, we’ve noticed a shift towards the use of indigenous varietals and ancient technologies. These areas are now responsible for some of the most experimental and exciting wines on the international market. This week, we’ll be talking about Germany, Austria, and Croatia, exploring family winemakers with a wide range of winemaking styles whose wines all posit a similar question: can we move forward and expand our futures by finding inspiration in and returning to the past? The reclamation of indigenous varietals and the adoption of more historically traditional practices in conjunction with the use of minimal-intervention serve as affirmations of this very idea. These winemakers are allowing for these grapes to express themselves, in a sense, free of adulteration, and in doing so are offering a true snapshot of space and time. May we journey in community, glass in hand.

The Wines: new wave cool kid Schödl ‘In Natura’ Grüner Veltliner from Weinviertel; genre-defying Piri Naturel ‘Ponderosa’ 2021 from Nahe; cover of a classic Markus Altenburger Blaufränkisch vom Kalk 2023 from Burgenland; oldie but goodie Kosovec Frankovka 2019 from Moslavina

We look forward to your company :) 

Read on to learn more about what we're sampling, then stop by from Friday 4-7 to try them yourself!

Schödl 'In Natura' Grüner Veltliner Weinviertel 2022

Piri Naturel 'Ponderosa' Nahe 2021

Markus Altenburger Blaufränkisch vom Kalk 2023

Kosovec Frankovka Moslavina 2019