Summer wine rules: Cheap and copious
Now that we’re finally cruising in the 20-degree Celsius band and the parks are packed to overflowing on the weekends, summer wines are in order. I like that there’s a decent market in larger-sized wine bottles — and the wine’s often of a quality that’s definitely higher than the swill we guzzled during high school (bring on the Hearty Burgundy!) My idea of a good summer wine is one that’s got some good acidity (like lemonade; juicy and refreshes the palate), light in alcohol and if possible, under 5 Euro a bottle. Here’s two recent finds that we’re enjoying — if you’ve some recommendations, let us know in the comments below.
Veit Gruner Veltliner 2007, Austria: This 1-liter bottle was shoved in John’s hands last weekend, with the insistence from our very favorite wine dude that “It’s the perfect summer wine!” Well, for 4.50 Euro, it was hard to argue. This Qualitatswein offers a good combo of green apple and lychee flavors, and isn’t too heavy (12.5% alcohol). Although the wine’s label claims it’s good with “Wiener Schnitzel” (props to the home team there), I’m pretty sure it will do the job with lighter dishes quite nicely. Find it at Sonnenreich at Arnimplatz, Seelowerstr. 6.
Le Pavot Rosé 2007, Vin de Pays de l’Aude, France: This kills a couple birds with one bottle — it’s crisp and refreshing, it’s cheap (4.95 Euro) and it’s bio. The Aude is a river that runs west-east through the western Languedoc; the vineyards have been organically certified Ecocert (no mean feat in France) since 2002. It’s a gorgeous deep pink and tastes and smells like super-ripe strawberries (blend of Grenache and Mourvédre methinks). Uncomplicated and easy to sip. At the bioladen Kiepert & Kutzner at Schönhauser Allee 65 (in the wine section, very lower shelf.)
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May 30th, 2008 at 7:34 pm
Have you tried the Muscat Sec 2006, Domaine Coudoulet, they sell at Montparnasse on Bergmannstraße? It’s a wonderfoul white wine, perfect with Spargel or any light and “summerly”dish. It was on offer last week; I paid 5 Eur/bottle. The owner told me that there was more variety of summerwhine to come - have a try! (Montparnasse is on the back of a restaurant which used to be a laundrette, very berlinesk)
I also love the Muscat Sec from Dom Brial, but its difficult to find in Berlin. If you dont mind, I add a link where you can get it (as well as the Les Yeuses Rosé which is great as well) http://www.le-charreau.de/index.php/cPath/26/category/weingenuss-bis-7-eur.html.
I also love the Kernling (Weingut Wölbling, Saale-Unstrut)from Wein Peter on Raumerstr., but its a bit more expensive (around 7 eur).
ps: love your blog as you tell of so many exotic shops and markets I had never heard of before.
pps: Is asian food really that bad in Berlin? Its so much better than in other german cities…but maybe better is not best at all
June 5th, 2008 at 1:15 pm
Hi Julia! I too am a big fan of muscat sec — although it’s something of a novelty in the U.S., as muscat more often is reserved for sweet dessert wines. Yet I’m looking forward to trying a bottle of Coudoulet! Thanks for the tip.
And I’ve never tried Kernling…but now I’m curious. Will have to do some sleuthing.
Re: Asian food - we’re definitely on the look out for good, authentic ethnic food in Berlin; like any big city, there is a fair share of middling eateries, many of which blur Thai-Japanese-Chinese-Vietnamese into a generic, often spice-free, “Asian pfanne” — which does each of these great, individual cuisines a serious disservice. There are good restaurants, however, and as the Hauptstadt’s tastes broaden (and frankly more foreigners move in) there’s bound to be a wider range of authentic food to choose from. We’ve got a couple of favorites; do check out our writeup on Wok Show in P’berg/Pankow as a start.