Appellation Wine and Spirits — an unconventional wine store. By unconventional we mean that we focus on producers that depart from convention and make wine that is organic or biodynamic.  Please take the time to learn within these pages about this way of producing wine as well as our store -- better yet, visit us in our West Chelsea neighborhood in New York City and share with us an enthusiasm and love for wine.  Cheers!

• ’04 Pierre Morey Bourgogne Aligoté $15.99 (biodynamic)
  
• ’07 Bruno Giacosa Roero Arneis $34.99
  
• ’01 Bianchi Gattinara Vigneto Valferana $22.99 (organic)
  
• ’05 Alvaro Palacios Priorat “Les Terrasses” $34.99
  
• ’06 Caldaro Alto Adige Lagrein $16.99
  

’07 Wimmer-Czerny Fels am Wagram Roter Veltliner

On the totem pole of variety popularity, Roter Veltliner rests near the bottom, along with Charbono, Juhfark, Albalonga, and all the other amusingly named grapes only the sommelier-types have heard of.  

Roter Veltliner is one of the numerous uncommon grapes grown in Austria.  Although its popularity has spiked recently, Austria is often overlooked because the country doesn’t produce many classic grape varieties.  Besides Riesling, Austria sticks mostly to its indigenous grapes, preferring not to saturate the market with more Chardonnay and Merlot.  The only issue is there aren’t many casual drinkers who are familiar with what Austria has to offer.

Enter Appellation and Wimmer-Czerny.

Fifty miles from Vienna, along the Danube River in scenic Fels am Wagram, lays the land of Wimmer-Czerny (pronounced Vee-mur Chur-nee).  The vineyard is certified Biodynamic under the Austrian wing of Demeter.  At Wimmer-Czerny as well as other Demeter certified vineyards, harmless birds and bugs roam freely, accentuating the all-natural approach and adding a level of nurture and respect to the earth and its creatures. 

This Roter Veltliner features wild, pungent aromas of citrus and honey.  It’s on the lighter end of Roter Veltliners, but is still complexly well rounded with notes of almond and grapefruit, plus bunches of refreshing acidity.  This wine is a fine pairing for meals with an Asian flare like Sichuan or Thai. 

Instead of bowing down to typicality and routine, ignore your apprehension, be adventurous.  Pick up a bottle of Wimmer Czerny’s Roter Veltliner.  We promise it’s a risk you won’t regret.  And have we ever steered you wrong before?  $19.99 (Biodynamic)