Frau Redl ist ein Juwel als Kulturvermittlerin. Die Geschichte des Thronfolgers und seiner Frau…read morewurde so lebhaft und menschlich dargebracht. Selten wurde Geschichte so gut vermittelt.

In the wonderful Niberlungengau of Austria (a scenic less-touristy region along the Danube River…read morethan the Wachau), lies the castle belonging to the Hohenberg family and the final resting place of the Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophie. Yes That Franz Ferdinand! This peaceful setting is a far cry from the dusty streets of Sarajevo where he was assassinated in 1914 - a murder that led to the Great War or World War I. This is a beautiful castle surrounded by a pleasant park. The museum is filled with memorabilia about Franz Ferdinand and his family - his descendants still live here. The tombs of the Archduke and Duchess are here to be visited underneath the lovely church. And when you are finished touring, the cafe is a perfect place for a bite to eat and some local wine to drink....especially on a warm sunny day when you can sit out on the terrace overlooking the Nibelungengau and Danube River. Schloss (Castle) Artstetten is def worth a visit - and you'll learn some history at the same time!

I will say this until Im blue in the face. The sommerliers at Benu in San Francisco have never…read moredriven me wrong. Prager is amongst multiple vintages that I've had from them that have just elevated my enjoyment of wine. That with astounding food pairings, it's becoming addictive. Recently I tried the Smaragd Achleiten, and it was phenomenal. For the $50 US range this is a phenomenal wine, showing that the Austrian wines are underappreciated. Which is find by me as I can still afford them! Mineral intensity and long length are the characteristics of the wine. It is acidic and fresh when paired with certain things. The Smaragd generally refers to the lizard that shows itself in the fields and the highest wine classification in the Wachau, but this lizard may as well be a chameleon based on the different tastes this wine reveals.

Emmerich Knoll is definitely one of the more famous winemakers kin Austria. Amongst the high level…read moresomms ive seen a familiar love for Knoll's wines. Benu, Saison, Mangold in Austria, are just a number of high end places in tune with this wine and their ability to pair with food.The bottles themselves are works of art but it is the wine inside which shines even brighter. The Savignin grape is an old ancient one but with Knoll's skills, produces excellent Gruner Veltliner. Smooth, complex and ever changing with various foods and spices. A true chameleon, both Smaragd and Federspiel products are adaptable to pairings but also brilliant on their own.