Okay, so today I wanted to try out something new – the Leo Hillinger Blaufränkisch Leithaberg. I’d heard good things about this Austrian red, and I was itching to see what the fuss was all about. First things first, I needed to actually get my hands on a bottle.
I hit up my local wine shop, the one with the slightly snooty guy who always recommends expensive stuff. Thankfully, he wasn’t there today. I spotted the Leo Hillinger section and grabbed a bottle of the Blaufränkisch Leithaberg. It wasn’t cheap, but hey, treat yourself, right?
Back home, I popped the cork – always a satisfying sound. I poured myself a glass and gave it a good swirl. The color was a deep ruby, which looked pretty promising. Then I took a whiff. I got the smell of dark berries, maybe some cherry, and something a bit earthy. I’m no wine expert, but it smelled pretty darn good.
The First Sip
I took my first sip. Wow. This was different. It wasn’t like the usual Cabernet or Merlot I normally go for. It was lighter, but still had a lot going on. There was that berry flavor, but also a bit of spice, and a kind of minerality that I guess comes from the “Leithaberg” part – some kind of special soil or something, I think.
Food Pairing Time
Now, I’m a firm believer that wine needs food, and vice versa. I had some leftover roasted chicken, so I heated that up and made a quick salad. I took a bite of the chicken, then another sip of the wine. Boom! It worked. The wine’s acidity cut through the richness of the chicken, and the flavors really complemented each other.
- Roasted the chicken with some herbs.
- Tossed a simple salad with a vinaigrette.
- Enjoyed the combination of the food and wine.
Overall Impression
I finished the glass (and maybe poured another… don’t judge). This Leo Hillinger Blaufränkisch Leithaberg was a real winner. It was interesting, flavorful, and went great with my dinner. I’ll definitely be buying this one again. It’s a bit more expensive than my usual go-to wines, but for a special occasion, or just when you want to try something a little different, it’s totally worth it.
If you’re looking for a new red to try, and you’re up for something that’s not your typical supermarket wine, give this one a shot. You might just discover your new favorite.
