To withstand the march of concrete, many cities are embracing the concept of urban vineyards. Carol Wright reports on this exciting development
Paris, London, New York… these are not names readily associated with wine tours. However, urban vineyards are being rejuvenated or created – some of them sponsored by city councils to preserve green city lungs, stem relentless building development and provide educational and social benefits that counterbalance the disadvantages of pollution and poor soil.
AUSTRIA
Vienna is the doyenne of cities with vineyards, dating back to the 12th century when each district of the city worked its own vineyards. In 2015 a new law was passed, listing the city’s vineyards as a heritage site and stipulating that they had to be used for vine growing to prevent them being built over. An imperial edict of 1784 allowing growers to serve food with their wine led to the spread of heurigen or wine taverns that still flourish today.
The Mayer am Pfarrplatz tavern counted Beethoven among its customers and now shows off its old wine cellars on guided tours and wine tastings. Others like Wiltschko and Peter Gobel’s taverns have sleek modern lines, the latter with its original heurigen lounge overlooking the vineyards. As well as a wine train going through its vineyards, Hotel Rathaus Wein & Design, a wine-themed hotel, has each room dedicated to a different Austrian wine, with appropriately stocked mini bars and a wine lounge.
This story is from the January/February/March 2018 edition of Sommelier India.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the January/February/March 2018 edition of Sommelier India.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Uncorking The Past: Exploring The Fascinating World Of Wine
Shalini Singh takes us on a tour of four unique wine museums that create an interactive and immersive wine experience
Cure, fine Irish cuisine at its best
Chef Andrew Walsh draws on his Irish roots to create his own brand of Nua Irish Cuisine at Cure restaurant
SARPOSH - A Kashmiri Oasis in Bengaluru
An unusual restaurant, styled after a living room in a Kashmiri home, Sarposh presents a new style of dining as it explores a vast and nuanced regional cuisine. Sarposh introduces a different kind of restaurateur. Azmat Ali Mir, an engineer by training, left corporate life to take on the challenging role of showcasing a cuisine that is frequently misrepresented. Her interest lies in sourcing the best ingredients and presenting a menu that is embedded in the wider culture of Kashmir. Kaveri Ponnapa speaks with Azmat Ali Mir, who is slowly changing people’s perceptions of Kashmiri cuisine and through it, of Kashmir itself.
Indian whiskies to the fore
Indian single malt whiskies have come into their own winning international awards. Here, Gagan Sharma lists the whiskies to keep in your drinks cabinet
WINE AUCTIONS - The Collective Napa Valley program raises funds year-round
The wine fraternity in Napa Valley is known for giving back to the community generously, reports Mira Advani Honeycutt who attended its latest Auction
Historic Wine Cellars
Britain’s famous universities have long held prized wines, estimated at millions of pounds in their venerable cellars
The Women in Wine Network
The international Women in Wine Expo brings women from around the world together to collaborate and exchange experiences. Ruma Singh attended the Expo in London this year
Spring frost - A Burgundian winemaker's singular cross
Raymond Blake on winemakers’ battle against dreaded spring frosts in Burgundy – just one of the many nasty curveballs that nature hurls from time to time
BORDEAUX EN PRIMEUR BORDEAUX 2022 - A Collectors Vintage
Namratha Prashanth shares her personal experience of the wines at the 2022 En Primeur tastings in April
WINES OF HUNGARY - LIQUID GOLD
Tokaji Aszú is a sweet botrytised wine from northeastern Hungary, prized by connoisseurs around the world.