Ja, Beer! And a little whine.
As a Sommelier I guess it is high time that post something about booze. As we are in a Germanic part of the world I thought it was only fitting that I start with beer. At least at the two major cities I've lived in one of the most popular, or at least the most advertised beer is Eichhof (tasted bottle and draft). I'll say this; it's pretty close to what Monty Python would call a "making love in a canoe" beer. If I had a choice I'd certainly look for something else. The bartender told me after pouring a draft of this is that it is apparently made with the water straight from Mountain Platius. Well they certainly got that ingredient down, how about the other three? One positive note from the Eichhof is that it has given me motivation for my beer rating scale: Making love in a Canoe: Pass Lawn Beer: hot day and its cold, eh sure why not Fair: Fine for what it is, not much to write home about. I'd order this again: Solid, well made beer Helllooo Nurse!: Really damn good Another lager from Eichhof is called Kosterbrau. This is an unfiltered version of the same. Admittedly on a hot day after doing a lot of manual labor, a cold draft of this would hit the spot. This kind of beer is what I would call a lawn beer. When I started to write this I looked up Eichhof and they have been owned by Heineken since 2008. This might explain the boring style, though if the monks that used to make Eichhof back in the day might be a little dismayed at the product of today, at least I like to think so. (Lawn Beer) Feldschlösschen (tasted bottle and draft): The biggest brewery in the country apparently found a little of the hops that Echhof forgot about. It has some favor without any real complexity. Not sure if I am influenced by Echhof's lack of any character to give this a better rating than it should. Honestly I'm having trouble writing much about it, it's a textbook, if boring lager. (Fair) And it's damn good. Complex nose of ripe citrus fruits, key lime, meyer lemon, ruby red grapefruit (and maybe because I'm in Switzerland) elderflower, with tarragon oil and some lees notes. On the palate the favors are consistent with bright but balanced acidity with a medium almost oily body to it. It was just delicious with the fondue we had that night. Classic pairing? No, but what works is what works. Winkl is Terlano's single vineyard offering and there are even two levels above this one. With the encouraging refresher on this wine, I will be reviewing one if not of the other two Sauvignon Blancs from this producer.
Eichhof Kosterbrau (tasted bottle & draft):
Feldschlösschen Premium (tasted via can): Well it has more favor but somehow doesn't make this beer anymore interesting. I guess premium means, "we'll add more ingredients and charge more!". (Fair)
And a little wine review. For the first wine review I thought why not go off the reservation a bit and do something a little wacky. Most wine geeks will be familiar with this selection and it is one that I have not had in quite awhile. It like an old friend you haven't seen in a long time. Cantina Terlan, Sauvignon (yes Blanc) "Winkl", Südtirol – Alto Adige, Italy, 2008. For those of you that are not professionals in the wine trade I'm sure the following just registered. Yes, it's Sauvignon Blanc, from, wait for it, Italy.
