From Germany and Austria we have some fresh arrivals for your wine bag  and Spring's warming afternoons. These two countries, while well-known for their incredible whites, continue to offer ever better medium bodied red wines that are easy-drinking and grill worthy.

 

Fio Nat' Cool | Skin-contact Riesling | Germany - Fio stands well apart from many other German producers. Steeped in traditional winemaking techniques, sourcing grapes from old vines growing on steep slopes in great vineyards from Göldtropfchen, Josephsberg, and Falkenberg, all top sites in Piesport, Rhineland. But, this winemaker team approaches winemaking traditionally, certainly in the vineyard, but adds a bit of cool in the cellar. Fio produces avant-garde wines without pretense for everyday drinking. This is skin-contact riesling, easy-drinking, a bit of ripe herbal and pith notes a savory texture and a light refreshing finish. This is a super spring time bottle where the wine is as interesting as the label.  $22

Gobelsburg Gruner Veltliner Steinsetz | Austria - Many have now discovered Gruner Veltliner as a great summer sipper, but this is serious Gruner from a single vineyard site, Steinsetz, Austria. The site occupies a rolling plateau on alluvial soil from the retreating Danube, with lots of big rocks the ancient river dragged down from the Alps. Gruner is to Austria what Burgundy is to France; elegant, lengthy, age-able, complex, fragrant, jasmine, delicate honeyed notes. Well-structured, lush, spice, minerally, sophistication in a bottle. $35

Glatzer Blaufränkisch | Austria - Soft, plump, little black fruit notes with a bit of pepper, spice and minerality.  Blaufränkisch is like no other grape - unique in its dialectic flavors - intense, but floral, juicy, but a hint of allspice, refreshing, but deeply satisfying. Sit with this glass next time it rains. $21

Reinisch St Laurent | Austria. The Reinisch is back; love Pinot Noir and want to try something a little different, here is the wine for you.  St Laurent was once the most planted grape in the former Czechoslovakia (we'll be pouring a bubbly version at the tasting this coming Tuesday.). Austrians have adopted this grape, and Reinisch, based just south of Vienna, vinifies this red in large French and Austrian oak casks. Supple, juicy, ripe bouquet, graphite hint, medium-bodied tannins, fresh finish. $25