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December 7, 2012


The Merano Wine Festival is a tasting event of the finest Italian and international wines and the best I have ever attended. Over 400 wineries from Italy and more than 120 international winemakers from across the world were selected to participate. In addition, there is a Beer Passion section where you can taste handcrafted Italian beers as well as a Gourmet Area showcasing some of the best local ingredients. The Festival is an amazing opportunity ‘to take a trip around the world with your wine glass’.

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November 17, 2012

Weingut Gutzler is my favorite winery in the Rheinhessen. I know, I know, when you think Rheinhessen, you generally think Keller and Wittman but they were sold out and are typically known for their Rieslings. Gutzler had wines for tasting and are known for their red as well as their white wines, more specifically; it’s Spätburgunder, which comes highly recommended. I’ve been having some trouble finding a Spätburgunder that I truly enjoy. Generally, they are too light for my liking and I can’t see them pairing well with food. They are the kind you drink by themselves in my opinion. Some have smelled developed and even complex but fall short on the palate. Some have been too light, or too sour, or even too bitter. I couldn’t seem to find a well-balanced Spätburgunder that is food friendly. Well that was all true until I went to Gutzler. The Spätburgunders were terrific!  We tasted with the son and current winemaker, Michael Gutzler. He let us taste their entire range of wines. The Westhofener Spätburgunder was pleasantly herbal and developed with a mineral finish. Both Grosses Gewächs Spätburgunders had hints of smoke, developed black cheery flavors and fine tannins. They were beautifully elegant. The best part about this winery is not only is the Spätburgunder amazing, but all their wines are lovely. From their easy drinking Riesling to their 78-year-old vine Silvaner to their oaked Chardonnay, all were developed and well balanced. I highly recommend all their wines, even their Dornfelder. Their importer for the States is Terry Theise. You should definitely check them out!

Ripe stone fruit flavors with a steely crisp finish.

Cool picture they had hanging in the tasting room. Gives you the typical descriptors of Riesling.

Herbal even slightly grassy, developed flavors initially with a light oak and mineral finish.

Smoky, sweet black cherry with fine tannins that build. Balanced acid with a long finish. Elegant!

It is actually Dornfelder but they didn't put it on the label because no one would pay 30 Euros for a bottle. Dornfelder is usually made into a cheap, drink now wine but Gutzler aged theirs for 4 years in a barrique and it was very unique. It smelled of sweet pickles and black currant and tasted like blueberries. It had great acid and nice tannins. Crazy wine!

The cellar made from old recycled bricks because they absorb more moisture than new bricks and surprisingly were 4 times the cost of new ones. Yikes!


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October 20, 2012

Weingut Thörle's Hölle Spätburgunder 'R' is my favorite Spätburgunder from Rheinhessen. My cellar master at Koehler-Ruprecht, Johannes, recommended Thörle to me. He said they are well known for their Silvaner and that I should go taste. Now I’m not particularly well acquainted with the intricacies of Silvaner but I agree, Thörle’s Silvaner was nice. It was interesting with fresh herbs and obvious fruit ripeness. It even had a light creamy mouthfeel from the extended lees contact and large oak barrels. However, it lacked acid for personal preferance. It’s a good wine to drink now but I don’t see much cellar potential. But I am really glad I went because not only did I get more exposure to Silvaner but I tasted a Spätburgunder that I really enjoy!  They normally wouldn't have this wine open for tasting but they had a wine critic taste their range earlier. So they let me taste and it was so good I bought it and hope to cellar it J






Amazing Spätburgunder! Made from the best grapes of Hölle vineyard. Hölle means ‘hell‘ in German and was given this name because it’s the hottest vineyard in the region. Ripe black cherry with the freshness of ripe strawberries, great medium body with balanced acid and a long finish. 


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October 14, 2012

Weingut Ernst Weisbrodt is my favorite wine bar in Germany. I was fortunate to stumble upon it while waiting for a dinner reservation in Deidesheim. The family owns a winery a couple blocks away and off the main road so this ‘wine bar’ is essentially their tasting room and located in the town center. Interesting concept…they serve only their wines, some small snacks and cocktails incorporating their wines. It's a very cool, hip place with lots of young locals and tourist like me :) It has such a great vibe! The son, who is also the winemaker, waited on us. He was very informative and gave us a small tasting even though he was very busy. He introduced me to a new varietal, St Laurent. Typically, it is made into a light bodied, easy drinking wine. But in exceptional years, like 2009, it is made into a big and broader wine with lots of complexity.  It smelled of fresh herbs and spices with red fruit undertones. And it didn’t taste too overpowering or aggressive on the palate, even with 14.3% alcohol. I spoke so highly of this wine that now my cellar master, Johannes, wants to taste so looks like I’m going back…and happily. 





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October 28, 2011

Hostel 109 is my favorite hostel in Adelaide. The staff and owners are extremely friendly and helpful! The accommodations are new and clean. Not only is it centrally located but you get free linens, towel, internet, tea, coffee and some other random food items all for just $27 per night. I think it's a great place and great deal. I would definitely stay here again!

I know it doesn't look like much from the outside but definitely a fabulous place to stay!

Living room and kitchen

Dorm Room

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