INSIDER'S PICK: 2013 LEO HILLINGER BLAUFRANKISCH $19.99

This is a very seasonally appropriate wine for the holiday season, inspired by the fact my parents are in Vienna today enjoying a Viking riverboat tour of the Danube. Thought it would be fun to recommend a wine that can be enjoyed by people locally and thousands of miles away simultaneously. Imported by one of our favorite Virginia based distributors, Leo Hillinger is a big part of the the Austrian wine movement that has been growing in the state for over a decade, providing great quality at all the price points, including the upper end 'Leithaberg' designation created as a sort of Grand Cru status for Blaufrankisch and other varieties. Blaufrankisch (also called Limberger or Lemberger in other parts of the world) is most noteworthy in the Burgenland region of Austria where the warmth allows it to ripen fuller and achieve more juicy intensity. The spicy red fruits can have some similarity to Zinfandel, but without the jammy textures and higher alcohol content. This new release comes from one of our favorite and most represented producers, as well as one of the more outlandish personalities in the wine business if you have the chance to check out his web site. From the first pour the black fruit and cola aromas pop from the glass, and as it opens develops loads of dark spice and raspberry tones. The palate is extremely silky with very little tannin, and since the texture isn't as sweet and extracted there are more savory tones that show through, with pepper and currant skin complimenting the black fruit flavors. This is a wine that will show very well into the second day, so if the weather gets bad today it will still be well worth your while to taste it tomorrow. ​