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!

• ’07 Les Grandes Vignes du Roy Côtes du Rhône Blanc $15.99 (sustainable)
• ’07 Wieninger Wien Rosé de Pinot $18.99
• ’06 Vignai da Duline Venezia Giulia IGT Schioppettino $31.99 (sustainable)
  

Featured Wien
’07 Wieninger Wine “Rosé de Pinot”

We took a one week rosé hiatus in favor of a noteworthy white.  But during the past fourteen days, the people have sent a direct message: they want rosé and they want it now.  In this season of barbecues, humid days, and cold beverages, I’ve received the message loud and clear.  So this week, we’ve got an Austrian pink that so far, has been met with positively dynamitic reviews. 

Weingut Wieninger was incepted in the 1880’s on the outskirts of dreamy Vienna.  Located on the northern side of the Danube, the vineyard catered exclusively to its “Heuriger” which translates to “wine tavern”.  Considering Vienna is the only capitol city in the world that actually has vineyards within its limits, the concept of Heurigers is an indigenous phenomenon.  Wieninger’s Heuriger is widely acclaimed for its fine wine, native gastronomy, boisterous clientele, and cozy atmosphere.

After a hundred years of Austrian sing-a-longs and exploding belt buckles, Heuriger Wieninger decided to share its spirit with the rest of the world.  In 1987, after a run as assistant winemaker at sunny St. Helena Winery in California, Fritz Wieninger came home to take over for his dad, Fritz Senior.  After he was introduced as production manager, his inner entrepreneur seeped out.  He ventured towards expansion by selling his wines outside of Heuriger Wieninger. Today, a third of his wines are designated for exportation, with most products going to Germany and the U.S.

Wieninger’s rosé is made exclusively from organically grown Pinot Noir grapes.  The loamy soil from which it sprouts gives way to delicious, aromatic wine.  The nose permeates scents of lemon peel, minerality, and red currant.  On the palate, you can recognize citrus notes as well as bursting berry flavors. 

There’s no limit to the amount of food that rosé matches.  But we suggest bringing Wieninger’s rosé along to your next scheduled barbecue.  And after the bottle’s been passed around, prepare to revel in a torrent of compliments guaranteed to rain upon you and your exceptional choice.  $18.99 (sustainable)  

--Tyler