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Restaurant Hiakai 20190313_173010

20190313_173010

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Restaurants

Restaurant Hiakai

WinEncsy July 22, 2019

While we were in New Zealand, we were looking for one special place to visit in Wellington,...

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A GLASS OF BURGENLAND.🍷Or as many as you want!

A GLASS OF BURGENLAND.🍷Or as many as you want! ➡️ The motto of this Monday's tasting.

👉Yesterday, @wein_burgenland did it again—gathering 114 wineries to present their wines, including the new vintage 2024, in the iconic Hofburg🏰 at the centre of Vienna.🇦🇹

Nearly 2,000 people had an introduction to the main red wine🍷 region of Austria, where the different appellations were divided into different rooms.

🍇These main appellations are:

▪️Leithaberg
▪️Neusiedlersee
▪️Rosalia
▪️Mittelburgenland
▪️Eisenberg

☝️Every sub-region has its specialty and is not only producing red wines. I had the chance to taste some Welschriesling,🍇 Chardonnay🍇, Grüner Veltliner🍇, and Neuburger🍇 as dry white wines, and of course, some serious sweet wines, especially from Neusiedlersee.🍷 Even an orange wine!

👌 There is enough space here next to the world-class Blaufränkisch, Zweigelt, and Sankt Laurent, and I encourage everyone to discover the diversity of this region for themselves❗️

🤗 In my personal opinion, the most diverse Austrian region is Burgenland.🍷 With the number of wineries present, I couldn't taste everything, but let me share my favourites from this afternoon:

🔹️Weingut Esterházy @weingut.esterhazy from Leithaberg
🔹️Weingut Feiler-Artinger @weingutfeilerartinger from Rust-Leithaberg
🔹️Artisan Wines @artisanwines from Neusiedlersee
🔹️Rotweingut Prickler @rotweingutprickler from Mittelburgenland
🔹️Weingut MAD @weingut_mad_oggau from Leithaberg

Of course, there are so many more great wineries—I have shown you a lot over the years! Looking forward to the next edition in 2026! 😍

Do you have a favourite wine from Burgenland?🍷

#BurgenlandWine #AustrianWine #WeinBurgenland #Blaufränkisch #Zweigelt #SanktLaurent #Neusiedlersee #Leithaberg #Mittelburgenland #EisenbergDAC #RosaliaDAC #Welschriesling #GrünerVeltliner #WineTasting #ViennaWine #WineLover #NaturalWine #SweetWine #WineloverCommunity #WineInstagram #WineInfluencer #Weinverkostung

HAVE YOU TRIED WINES FROM LIECHTENSTEIN BEFORE? At

HAVE YOU TRIED WINES FROM LIECHTENSTEIN BEFORE? Attention, it is a tricky question... ⬇️

➡️ Why? Because here, Liechtenstein could mean both the winery in Austria🇦🇹 and the country🇱🇮 itself. The Hofkellerei des Fürsten von Liechtenstein @hofkellereiliechtenstein dates back to 1426, simply because the princely family of Liechtenstein were great landowners with holdings that stretched from Weinviertel across the Czech border. 🍷

👉 While the family moved to the Principality of Liechtenstein🇱🇮 after the Second World War, where they have had another cellar since 1712, they are still large landowners in Austria. This means they produce wines in both countries.🍾

☝️While in Liechtenstein, the main varieties under their hands are Pinot Noir🍇 and Chardonnay🍇, in Weinviertel, Austria, it is obviously Grüner Veltliner🍇 and Riesling🍇. However, today I am tasting a wine produced by them that comes from neither of these areas.😉

🍷This Chardonnay is from Leithaberg DAC in Burgenland—a slightly aged 2021 version that shows how the Hofkellerei handles Chardonnay on limestone soil. I have to say, pretty perfectly!👌

➡️ A medium golden colour in the glass, filled with aromas of lemon peel, orange, pear, pineapple, grapefruit, butter, and vanilla. The palate is creamy and fresh, with those citrusy flavours, along with pear, vanilla, and yellow apple. A Burgundy-style Chardonnay🍇, where elegance comes from 500-litre tonneaux and careful ageing for a year in 500-year-old cellars. A long, mineral-citrusy finish.🍷

👉 Perfectly ready to drink right now at 10-13°C, and I would pair it with creamy pasta, fish, or chicken—or simply enjoy it on its own with good company who appreciates great wines.

Do you have the kind of friends to enjoy some nice wines with❓️🍷

#LiechtensteinWine #ChardonnayLover #BurgenlandWines #AustrianWine #WineTasting #Weinviertel #LeithabergDAC #FineWines #WineExperience #WineCommunity #OldWorldWine

THE QUESTION I GET THE MOST AS A WINE EXPERT. I me

THE QUESTION I GET THE MOST AS A WINE EXPERT. I mean, right after which is my favourite wine...? ⬇️

➡️ Is this: What do you love most about wine? And the answer is—the community and the people. Falling in love with wine is great, but if you don't have anyone to share it with, it could be just a short-lived passion. In my case, at home, I am the only wine drinker, so it is not really an option to share it with my husband.

🍷When I started this journey after leaving the vibrant life in London, I was a little bit alone. But a couple of years ago, I attended my first tasting in Hungary🇭🇺, organised by the Winelovers @winelovers.hu community. And it felt like home. I got the chance to meet lots of like-minded people, I had the opportunity to learn a lot in masterclasses, and later, I even participated in the Winelovers Wine Awards as a jury member. 😍

☝️All of these were amazing moments that I will cherish and remember warmly. That is why I am happy to share the news:

👉 Winelovers Grand tasting is back on the 29th of March—in just 10 days❗️ I am looking forward to attending again and meeting my favourite Hungarian winemakers, tasting wines alongside them, as well as connecting with wine lovers and professionals from beyond Hungary.🍾

Come and discover the diversity of Hungarian wines next weekend, with more than 700 wines from 150+ producers! If you are attending, let me know because I would love to meet you in person and share a glass with you!🤗

📸 In the photos, you can find some of my favourite moments, people, and producers from these tastings. There is no better way to spend a Saturday afternoon than enjoying a great Hungarian wine in your glass with your friends! 🥂

➡️ Are we going to see each other next week? 🍷

You can buy your tickets here: https://wineloversrendezvenyek.hu/jegyrendeles/grand

#WineloversHungary #HungarianWine #WineCommunity #MagyarBor #BorKóstoló #WineFriends #WinePassion #WineMoments #WineExperience #WineLover #WineTasting

YES, I DID IT AGAIN! 😃 What about you? ⬇️

YES, I DID IT AGAIN! 😃 What about you? ⬇️

➡️ How many bottles do you usually open on a Saturday?
Any regrets on Sunday? 😉

👉 Follow for more wine fun, educational and tasting notes!

And thank you @consorziovinivenezia for the material! 🍷

#winelovers #winefun #winedrinker #winetasting
#winecontent #whitewine #winereel #winevideo

HEARD ABOUT MORELLINO DI SCANSANO? Honestly, me ne

HEARD ABOUT MORELLINO DI SCANSANO? Honestly, me neither before, but I should’ve a long time ago! Now, you'll see why you should too... ⬇️

💁‍♀️Maybe Maremma sounds familiar? A sub-region of southern Tuscany🇮🇹 where the province of Grosseto is located, alongside Cantina Vignaioli Scansano @vignaiolimorellinodiscansano . A cooperative of winegrowers where each member has around only 3 hectares. 🍇This results in attentive care of their vineyards and a little over 700 hectares on the hills surrounding Scansano.

👉 Thanks to the proximity of the sea and the slightly elevated land, Vigna Benefizio is a single vineyard selection where Sangiovese🍇 can ripen perfectly. With soil mostly sandy and rich in silt at 250-300 meters above sea level, the wine has a touch of Alicante—5% in the blend.

☝️These two native varieties result in a wine where Cantina Vignaioli Scansano really wanted to showcase the character of the grapes and the place, hence the maturation only in stainless steel tanks, followed by some refining in the bottle before release.🍾

➡️ A medium-deep ruby color with some garnet on the edges and medium-plus viscosity. The smell undoubtedly indicates Sangiovese🍇 with ripe cherries, plums, red blossom flowers, black pepper, cinnamon, and bay leaves. The palate is very smooth, with ripe, medium-plus tannins, high but well-integrated alcohol (14.5%), complemented by medium-plus acidity. Long fruity finish filled with those cherry flavours.🍒

👌This wine shows its best right now—have it at 15°C, and I would recommend it alongside all sorts of tomato-based dishes. Pizza, lamb, and beef stew as well.

🤗 See, it was worth it! Have you tasted a Morellino di Scansano before? 🍷

Also, now my problems are completely gone after a glass, would you like to give it a try too?

#italianwine #winetasting #wine #redwine #tuscany #winelover #winediscovery #wineenthusiast #docg #vinoitaliano #sangiovese #winereel #winevideo #winedrinker #sommelier #winewriter #winecontent

🍇 GRAPE TALK: EPISODE 32: Puttony Change in Tok

🍇 GRAPE TALK: EPISODE 32: Puttony Change in Tokaji Aszú wines. If you've ever seen bottles labelled 3, 4, 5, or 6 puttonyos, you might be surprised to learn that things have changed! ⬇️

☝️ Save this post and follow me so you don’t miss the next episode!

➡️ What is ‘puttony’ anyway?
Traditionally, the puttony referred to a wooden basket (about 25 kg) used to measure botrytised (noble rot) grapes. The number of puttonyos indicated how many baskets were added to a base of dry wine or must, determining the final sweetness level. More puttonyos = richer, sweeter wine!

➡️ What changed?
In 2013, Hungary’s Tokaj wine law simplified things: the 3 and 4 puttonyos categories were eliminated. Now, Tokaji Aszú must have at least 120 g/l of residual sugar (which was the minimum for 5 puttonyos before). So, from 2013 onwards, you’ll only see 5 or 6 puttonyos Aszú on labels!

➡️ Why the change?
Winemakers and regulators wanted to ensure Tokaji Aszú remains a truly premium, high-quality wine. The focus is now on rich, intense Aszú wines rather than lighter styles.

☝️Want to know more about this transformation and how it shaped modern Tokaji Aszú? Check out my latest article❗️Link in bio❗️

Have you ever tasted a Tokaji Aszú?🍷

#GrapeTalk #TokajiAszú #SweetWine #HungarianWine #Puttonyos #Botrytis #WineEducation #Winemaking #WineLovers #DessertWine #WineHistory

PERFECT PAIRING FOR WOMEN'S DAY! 🌷I might have

PERFECT PAIRING FOR WOMEN'S DAY! 🌷I might have missed posting about Furmint February🇭🇺, but it is always a good time to pour a glass of Tokaji Aszú!⬇️

Also, Aszú is not just about Furmint.🍇 Thanks to its winemaking style, Hárslevelű, Yellow Muscat, and even Zéta play a big role in catching that botrytis, which makes this wine so special. I tasted several of these sweet nectars last year in Tokaj from the 2000s and shared my favourites in my latest article on the blog. Take a look❗️

Now, I am celebrating International Women's Day with another Aszú—a collaboration between Rita Takaro @ritatakaro and Lenz Moser @lenz_m_moser with Grand Tokaj @grandtokaj , where the legendary Áts Károly is a true master of making Aszú wines.🍷

👌2013 was an amazing vintage—a lot of Aszú was born that year—but this one is one of my all-time favourites! The grapes were harvested from selected single vineyards of Furmint, Hárslevelű, and Yellow Muscat.🍇 It was fermented and aged for 24 months in 500-litre Hungarian oak barrels of limited production. Only 3,000 bottles were produced.🍾

🍷This 6 puttonyos Aszú by @mad_moser_tokaj is filled with honey and nutty layers, with candied apricots, yellow apple, and baking spices. The palate is lifted with high acidity, which is a must next to the 210 g/l of residual sugar in the wine.🍯

☝️It is Áts Károly's first vintage at Grand Tokaj, and many consider it his greatest work. Good news for wine professionals: you can taste this beauty at ProWein—Rita will be there to pour it!😉

As for a pairing suggestion, my favourite for an Aszú is always a rich cheese platter.🧀 These sweet wines are so versatile that they can pair with almost any cheese. Don't forget to chill your bottle to 10°C for the perfect experience.

P.S.: If you want to learn how Aszú has evolved over the last century, read my latest article❗️

Are you a Tokaji Aszú🇭🇺 or sweet wine fan?🍷

#tokajiaszu #tokajwine #hungarianwine #winesofhungary #furmint #sweetwine #winelover #winestudy #wineknowledge #wineprofessional #prowein

PARIS, HERE I COME! 🇫🇷🍷 Stepping into Win

PARIS, HERE I COME! 🇫🇷🍷 Stepping into Wine Paris by @vinexposium feels like entering the control room of the wine industry—this is where the big decisions happen! 🍇

👉 A 3-day wine fair where wine professionals meet, taste, network, and discover which wines will end up on the shelves in your favorite wine shop and even supermarkets. This is what happens behind the scenes, and how the industry works. Wine Paris was one of the first big events of 2025, and it was impressive! ✨

☝️This year, Wine Paris 2025 confirmed its status as the world’s leading wine and spirits event, with a record-breaking 52,622 visitors—45% of them international, from 154 countries! 🌍🍷 The energy was incredible, packed with meetings, tastings, and exciting discoveries for me too! 😍

➡️ Some standout wines? Here are just a few of my favorites:

🍷 Vinchio Vaglio @vinchiovaglio
🍷 Grand Tokaj’s 1956 Aszú—amazing! @grandtokaj
🍷 G. D. Vajra @gdvajra_barolo
🍷 Mas des Flauzières @masdesflauzieres
🍷 Campuget @campuget
🍷 Sensi Vini @sensivini
🍷 Tommasi @ammurawine
🍷 Stift Klosterneuburg @weingut_stift_klosterneuburg
🍷 Mas Cadenet @masdecadenet
🍷 Christian Nastl @chnastl
🍷 Monte del Frá @montedelfrawines

I highly recommend these wines—if they’re available to you locally, don’t hesitate to try them! 🍾

It was an exhausting trip but so worth it, and I hope I can be a part of it next year too! It was amazing to catch up with old and new friends and finally meet some of my IG friends in person after all these years! 💛

Have you heard about Wine Paris before? 🍷🇫🇷

#WineParis #Vinexposium #WineTrade #WineBusiness #FromTradeToTable #FineWines #WineLovers

🍇 GRAPE TALK: EPISODE 31: Cabernet Sauvignon. 🍷
With the world’s most famous red grape—bold, age-worthy, and packed with history. ⬇️

☝️ First, save this post for your wine studies and follow for more grape discoveries!

1️⃣ In 1997, scientists at UC Davis made the discovery—Cabernet Sauvignon is the unexpected offspring of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc! Its name even hints at its wild origins, with “Sauvignon” coming from the French word sauvage (meaning “wild”). 🍇

2️⃣ This grape was first cultivated in Bordeaux, France, in the 17th century and quickly became a superstar. Thanks to its thick skins and natural resistance to disease, it thrived in vineyards, producing powerful, structured wines. Today, it’s planted in nearly every major wine region, from Napa to Australia and beyond!

3️⃣ Cabernet Sauvignon is known for its firm tannins, giving it remarkable aging potential. The high tannins and acidity help it evolve for 10+ years, developing complex notes of cedar, tobacco, and graphite.🍷

4️⃣Cabernet Sauvignon vines are tough and adaptable, growing in a range of climates and soils. However, it truly thrives in gravelly, well-drained soils like those in Bordeaux’s Médoc region. Fun fact: its small, thick-skinned berries have a high ratio of skin to juice, which is why Cab wines are so deep in color and rich in flavor! 🍷

What’s your favorite Cabernet region—classic Bordeaux, bold Napa, or something more unexpected?⬇️

Photo by @anna.besko 📸

#GrapeTalk #CabernetSauvignon #WineLovers #WineTime #WineTasting #WinePairing #WineCulture #GrapeVarieties #WineTerroir #WineEducation #WineEnthusiast #WineExploration #WineAdventures #RedWine

THE ONE WHO'S ALWAYS LATE TO THE PARTY...🥳 Yep,

THE ONE WHO'S ALWAYS LATE TO THE PARTY...🥳 Yep, that's me! But when I come, I always bring something good! So here is my contribution to the very late celebration of Chinese New Year: ⬇️

So much story behind this bottle...🍾 A Chinese wine🍷 from Ningxia🇨🇳, where most of the wine production is happening right now. The wine is made by Lenz Moser @lenz_m_moser a 15th-generation Austrian🇦🇹 winemaker, who had the idea: Why aren't we making something here that no one else is❓️

➡️ This is how this wine came to life. The very first Cabernet Sauvignon🍇 from China, vinified as a white wine.🍷 When you pour this light peach-colored wine into the glass, you already see you have something different in your glass.

👉 Then you smell it. Red berry fruits, sweet candied raspberry, grapefruit, with some exotic fruits in an intense nose. Now, have a sip. Lots of freshness, which is explained later when I learn the vines come from 1,100 meters of altitude.⛰️ A dry wine but with those sweet fruits on the palate, a light body, and great for food pairing—I would just order a big sushi plate with it.🍣

☝️No, it is not the most complex wine I have ever had, but definitely one of the most enjoyable and approachable one.🤗 Good that I have a decent amount in my cellar because I love to show this wine to sommeliers in Vienna, and I love the reaction! So positively surprised!😍

PS.: If you're a somm in Vienna and haven't tried it, drop me a DM! Let me give you a taste!😉

Have you heard about Changyu Moser @changyumoserxv wines? If yes, what's your opinion?⬇️

#chinesewine #chinesenewyear #cabernetsauvignon #blancdenoir #whitewine #winelover #wineenthusiast #winetasting #sommelier #vienna #wien #winelist #winepairing #wineexperience #wineeducation #wineculture #finewine #foodandwine #sushiandwine

🍇 GRAPE TALK: EPISODE 30: Grillo 🍷I am back

🍇 GRAPE TALK: EPISODE 30: Grillo 🍷I am back with a focus on one of Sicily’s brightest stars: Grillo. Let me continue to talk more about Sicily 🇮🇹 and its main varieties!⬇️

☝️ First, save this post for your wine studies, and don’t forget to follow me for more grape adventures!

1️⃣ Grillo’s story begins in 1873, but its rise in popularity came after the phylloxera crisis of the late 19th century. Replanted extensively in Sicily’s Trapani province, it gained importance, particularly in the production of Marsala wine.

2️⃣ Molecular studies revealed that Grillo is a cross between Catarratto and Zibibbo (Muscat of Alexandria). Interestingly, it shares its identity with Rossese Bianco, a variety grown in Liguria, showcasing its versatility and adaptability.

3️⃣ Grillo buds late and ripens early, completing a short vegetative cycle. It produces musts with high sugar content and a balanced acidity dominated by tartaric acid.

4️⃣ Thriving in Sicily’s sunny, dry climate, Grillo produces wines that are fresh and citrusy, with flavors of grapefruit and passion fruit. Some are light and easy-drinking, while others, aged in barrels, reveal richer, more complex layers.

How thoses Grillo wines tastes like on the cover photo? 🍇Check out my tasting notes in my latest article—link in bio!

Do you have a favorite Grillo wine? Share your recommendations in the comments! 🍷

#GrapeTalk #Grillo #SicilianWine #Marsala #ItalianWine #WineLovers #WineTasting #WineCulture #WineEducation #WineAdventures #DiscoverWine #WhiteWine #WineTerroir #WineBlog

What do you think? Is it an addiction? 🍷 I won

What do you think? Is it an addiction? 🍷

I won't go too deep into the subject—it’s more for fun and entertainment—but for me, it’s all about moderation.

Like everything else in life. ✨ I wrote TASTE instead of DRINK for a reason. There’s a big difference here, in my opinion.

What’s your point of view?

Enjoy your wine life 🍇🍷, and don’t forget to follow for more fun and wine education! 🎉

Important Reminder: This post is intended for those of legal drinking age and is for educational and entertainment purposes only. Please enjoy responsibly. 🙌

#Sommlife #SommLifestyle #Sommeliers #WineBusiness #WineIndustry #WineKnowledge #WineStudies #WineLovers #WineFacts #WineFun #WineExpert #WineWriter #winecontentcreator

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