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The Joyous Harbinger of Spring
Austrian Grüner Veltliner
The Top Shelf by Michael Vaughan © 2006
National Post Weekly Wine & Spirits Columnist
Saturday, April 29, 2006

LIVE WINE LINK
www.winefind.ca
(CLICK ON THE NAME - All listings are automatically linked to the LCBO database)
If there is a product that interests you, just click on the name below and you will instantaneously connected with the LCBO database. The product will appear in blue and all you have to do is click on the name again and then the next screen will provide details along with the store search. Just click on store search. The number of bottles in each store is updated nightly. Call the store first to see if stock still remains (each store phone number is listed).

With the Austrian trade wine fair in town Monday, May 1st, I was hoping to taste the 2005 Sal'mon Groovey Grüner Veltliner, which is in today's release at $12.95. Alas, it didn't show up at the LCBO's Vintages preview tasting. Of course, the Grüner Veltliner grape is Austria's pride and joy. It is the perfect harbinger of Spring - an excellent match for seasonal fresh fish, soft shell crab and asparagus.

The good news is that the LCBO general list has a tasty little treat Winzer Krems 2004 Gruner Veltliner Kabinett Kremstal (589002) at only $9.35. This very dry, crisp, lively, medium-light bodied white has slightly honeyed, ripe lemon-melon flavours with some spritzy notes. I have been told that there is a search going on for a new, more proactive, Ontario rep. Let's keep our fingers crossed.

GV fans can take solace in the handful Austrian release that are still available in Vintages. Two best buys would include Zimmermann 2004 Sandgrube Grüner Veltliner (672584) at $ 15.95 and Salomon-Undhof 2004 Grüner Veltliner Wieden Tradition (670513) at $17.95. Readers interested in reviewing the 150+ wines being poured on Monday click here, while those wanting to explore the joys of GV can check out www.winesfromaustria.com

2001-2002-2003-2004-2005 Tasting Note Database
Our tasting note database from December 31, 2000 to January 2006, covers every Vintages release product for the past 61 months. There are more than 12,000 notes in the database data. Just enter the name of the product, supplier name or CSPC number. Or you can search by type of wine, country of origin, even wine agent! Nothing could be easier. Also you can get information on the agent by clicking on the agent’s name, as well as current LCBO store inventory by clicking on "Check LCBO Availability", which will automatically tell you the number of bottles at LCBO as of last night.

To use our Tasting Notes Database: click here

** For All Visitors **
Vintages Releases
To see the complete list of upcoming products from the
April 29 release, including In-Store Discovery items,
click here (sorted by date of release).
You can also see it sorted by agent click here
To see the complete list of upcoming products from the
May 13 release, including In-Store Discovery items,
click here (sorted by date of release).
You can also see it sorted by agent click here
To see the complete list of upcoming products from the
May 27 release, including In-Store Discovery items,
click here (sorted by date of release).
You can also see it sorted by agent click here

Copyright Food & Beverage Testing Institute of Canada 2006
Prior written permission is required for any form of reproduction
(electronic or other wise) and or quotation.
Contact Michael Vaughan at
mbv@total.net