Another summer is winding down, and foodies and wine geeks are starting to see red. Red wine, that is. Don’t worry, Austria has you covered. The country’s native red grape, Blaufränkisch, may be relatively unknown compared to the usual suspects like Pinots and Syrahs, but this versatile grape is slowly making its way onto wine […]
In case you missed it, there was a total solar eclipse over the US last week and, references to old horror movies and sappy 80’s love songs aside, it got us thinking about the natural rhythms of the planet. There’s something about watching the moon block out the sun that is both humbling and enlightening; […]
In the northeastern corner of Austria, between the Danube river and the Czech border, lies the Weinviertel. Host to wildly varied soils, diverse microclimates, and a deeply-rooted tradition of viticulture, this region has stories to tell, and wine to share. Long dismissed as a bastion of cheap, mass-produced wines, an influx of dedicated, quality-minded vintners […]
“What are we doing out here in the middle of the desert!?” -Dr. Gonzo The desert of southeastern Arizona is no joke. High elevation, dizzying temperature variations, and feast-or-famine rainfall patterns make for an impossibly harsh venue for growing anything but cactus. But in the hamlet of Elgin, AZ, south of Tucson, there’s a guy […]
Say What? Say “GROON-er velt-LEEN-er.” It’s easier than it looks. Try it. Good? Okay, now we’re on speaking terms with Austria’s favorite grape (and ours as well). While much of the buzz around Austrian wine seems to center on Riesling and its worldwide appeal in recent years, winemakers and consumers in the country have long […]
“You’re walking, and you don’t always realize it, but you’re always falling. With each step, you fall forward slightly, and then catch yourself from falling…and this is how you can be walking and falling at the same time.” -Laurie Anderson A Balancing Act There is a tightrope act happening on the banks of the Danube […]
Humble Beginnings Sometime in the late 1300s in what is now Germany, a lowly, unloved grape known as Gouais Blanc met a mysterious stranger. Some years later, local farmers and winemakers began noticing an unfamiliar vine showing up in their fields and vineyards. This new variety was something of a problem child at the time, […]
Weingut Knoll Any discussion of the Wachau is bound to eventually come around to the Knoll family, and their three generations of winemaking tradition. Under the direction of Emmerich III, this Wachau treasure continues to produce some of the region’s most powerful and long-lived wines. With most of the winery’s 15 hectares devoted to the […]
A Calculated Move Relative newcomers to the Arizona wine scene, Rob and Sarah Hammelman have wasted no time making a name for themselves with Sand-Reckoner Vineyards. In a nod to the sandy loam soils of the vineyard, Sand-Reckoner is named after an ancient Archimedean book that suggested the size of the universe could be […]
‘TIS THE SEASON As 2016 wraps up, we would like to take a moment to make a big announcement and share a few words of cheer. Here’s to cold nights, warm friends, and a good drink to share! Happy Holidays! CIRCO VINO’S NEW WEBSITE We are thrilled to announce the launch of our new website! Thanks […]