Ried Hochrain

Austria

Austria may not be the first country that springs to mind when you think of quality wine, but this slice of central Europe is home to crisp whites and elegant reds that are well worth seeking out. While many classic grapes are grown here, there are exceptional wines made from varieties you rarely see anywhere else, such as white Grüner Veltliner. Spicy and herbaceous, this wine combines notes of white pepper and asparagus with flint and apple. As for reds, the most planted is Zweigelt. This grape is a hybrid of two other local varietals: the spicy Blaufränkisch and light St. Laurent. It combines the best of both worlds with flavors of chocolate, black pepper and fresh raspberry.