Trink

26/02/2025

Star baker and food-writing phenom Martin Sorge has another ace pairing tucked into his latest piece for TRINK.

He takes us deep into Germany's UNESCO-certified intangible cultural heritage of bread (made official in 2014, years ahead of - sorry! - German wine), revealing thousands of grains, shapes, styles and textures that people outside the country seem scarcely aware of - and those back home can't live without.

This is the perfect primer on all things Brot. Of course all that's cultured must converge, so Martin has pinned down the ultimate bread and wine pairing. He suggests 2020 Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut, a 100% Chardonnay traditional method stunner from Ingelheim, with fresh, warm Swabian-style salted Brezeln, smeared with a bit of cultured butter. (Culture again!)

"Why Sekt with Brezeln?," Martin asks. "The saline and mineral notes of this taut, pure wine jive with the pretzel’s salt and the shiny, bitter crust. The crisp Meyer-lemon acidity cuts through the rich butter, then the subtle, ye**ty finish of the wine teases out the bready quality of the soft interior of the pretzel." 🥨 🥂

📷 + 🖋️

25/02/2025

TRINK Vol. 22 "Digging Deeper" is here! 🌱

Where we sit, it's winter: a stark state of cold and dark. Even as the days lengthen, little feels safe or familiar.

So in this volume, we turn inward. Toward comfort, warmth, and light. It requires effort, resolve. Groping our way towards the hope of spring, it feels fitting to dig. Dig deep. Deeper. We’re not afraid to get our hands dirty, to feel the earth under our fingernails, ground into our skin. Roots and seeds of resilience and strength are what we’re after.

We launched this volume with a soul-restoring piece by Berlin-based food writer Luisa Weiss . In a double helping, you will also find Valerie Kathawala's review of Luisa’s indispensable new book on German food and food culture, Classic German Cooking. You will also find star baker ’s fresh take on the intangible cultural heritage of German bread (with stellar Sekt pairing).

In the coming weeks, you’ll find more food and wine explorations, plus a sharp report on how climate change is remaking viticulture in Germany’s hottest region, a seasoned importer’s reflections on a troubling word in German tasting notes, a rising star writer on Austria’s under-the-radar standouts, and a close look at why Switzerland hasn’t gone the way of its neighbors with vineyard classifications, among many other topics.

If you're already a subscriber all this will be delivered straight to your inbox. Not yet a TRINK Insider, subscribe today for full (ad-free!) access.

Happy reading!

📷 Shutterstock

18/02/2025

From her first solo vintage, Austrian wine phenom of has been raising eyebrows and challenging norms.

Twenty years ago, the time had not yet come for the idea of Austrian fine red wine. But by following her taste and emotions and appreciating the unsung singularity of her beloved Ried Spitzerberg and Blaufränkisch, she pursued an ideal of freshness, elegance and finesse — and in doing so helped define the category.

This week on TRINKtalks: The Pod Ep. 4, Dorli joins us for a deep dive into her obsession with a vineyard that once belonged to her grandmother and a grape variety that still struggles to be fully understood.

🎧 Listen in as Dorli shares the unglamorous backstory of what it takes to start a one-woman garage winery (hint: it may involve dialing an ex-husband for advice)

📍 Learn how she put an unknown vineyard in tiny Carnuntum on the international wine map by betting it all on Blaufränkisch.

📝 Understand what's driving Austrian reds to join the global fine wine ranks - and why.

Available today wherever you listen to your podcasts. If you enjoy what you hear, please take a moment to rate and review. It helps us grow our audience and bring you more content you'll find nowhere else. 🙏

11/02/2025

Berlin's Gulasch: A Stirring of Home

In this deeply personal essay, cookbook author Luisa Weis shares her journey of finding belonging in Berlin through the comforting ritual of cooking Szegediner Gulasch. Discover how a simple stew can bridge cultural divides, heal old wounds, and create a sense of community.

Read the full article and get the recipe here:

https://buff.ly/3EutvXH

Discover how a simple stew can mend a fractured past, as cookbook author Luisa Weis finds home and community in a hot bowl of paprika-kissed Szegediner Gulasch.

04/02/2025

Why hasn’t Riesling truly caught on?
Is Spätburgunder still one of the world’s best-kept secrets?
And what’s the next crucial step for German wine?

In Episode 3 of TRINKtalks, Paula sits down with Jancis Robinson, MW one of the most influential voices in wine, to explore these questions and more. From the challenges of selling Riesling to the overlooked potential of Germany’s reds, Jancis offers sharp insights into where German wine stands—and where it needs to go.

We also discuss her personal connection to Riesling, the evolution of global wine trends, and the role of education in shaping consumer perception.

🎧 Don’t miss this essential conversation. Available today!



https://open.spotify.com/episode/1jZcvoe1ibpakwMIdWpRhO?si=V14x-T6IQiu1Ne_s9lJ-XQ

28/01/2025

From iconic Pinot Noir to elegant Gewürztraminer, Martin Foradori Hofstätter's wines are a testament to his philosophy of time and terroir. In her latest article for TRINK magazine, Paula uncovers the secrets behind the Alto Adige Pinot pioneer, and explores what makes him tick.

Learn how he's challenging the notion of a single signature grape, and showcasing the region's potential through meticulous vineyard management and a focus on terroir expression.

Discover why he believes "time is standing in his way" and how he's shaping the future of Alto Adige winemaking, one vintage at a time.

Read the full story in TRINK magazine!

https://buff.ly/4jyU1iM

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Meet Martin Foradori Hofstätter, the Pinot Noir pioneer of Alto Adige. Discover his legacy and the wines that transcend borders and time.

21/01/2025

▶️ This week, Valerie Belz Kathawala and Paula Redes Sidore sit down with Daniel Pfitscher of Pfitscher in Bozen-Bolzano, Südtirol-Alto Adige. Daniel’s family is one of the leading Pinot Noir (a.k.a. Blauburgunder) producers in the region with a lot to teach us. We discuss:

🌱 the delicate ecology of viticulture in an Alpine region

📈 the evolution of Pinot Noir in the area

⛰️ the development of single-vineyard wines in Alto Adige

♻️ the CasaClima certification: Weingut Pfitscher was the first winery in Italy to be awarded this designation, for its energy-efficient construction and downstream consideration of production and packaging

🎧 Whether you’re a seasoned expert in Alto Adige wines or curious about the factors shaping the future of wine in the region, this episode is packed with insights and intel.

🔗 Listen now https://buff.ly/4h0CLkB

🔊 If you enjoy the show, please let others know! Your recommendations, ratings and reviews help grow our audience for TRINKTalks. Thank you!

TRINKTalks · Episode

13/01/2025

Visiting NYC? 🗽

Whether you're in town for the bacchanalia of or for any other reason (like, hey, you live here), we've got you covered with our hit list of can’t-miss places to drink German and Austrian wine. From budget picks to blowouts, you’ll find something for every taste and budget. (If you go, tell them TRINK sent you!) Tap the link in our bio for the full list.

https://buff.ly/40sZC2A

German and Austrian wines are having a moment at New York wine bars and restaurants. Check out our hit list of 15 of the most interesting spots.

07/01/2025

Your wine education just got a lot more flexible (and fun)!

🚀 Today we launch TRINKtalks: the Pod!

▶️ We’re turned our live winemaker conversation series into a podcast that’s free and available on all major pod players. Just press play and let the stories of German-speaking wine unfold during your morning run, evening commute, or whenever.

🎙️ Ep. 1 features Württemberg maverick Moritz Haidle. His unique perspective as a freestyle rapper and steward of one of Remstal’s oldest private (and biodynamic) wineries breaks conventional wine conversation boundaries.

🎧 Listen to Moritz's unfiltered take on Württemberg’s evolution and why its Rieslings and Lemberger (aka Blaufränkisch) deserve your attention. Free wherever you get your podcasts!

03/01/2025

📢 Your wine education is about to get more flexible (and more fun)! Starting January 7, our bi-monthly TRINKtalks podcast will welcome you into the room as winemakers discuss their craft, culture, and perspective. Unscripted, honest conversations that bring you inside the wine worlds of Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Alto Adige.

These are the kinds of discussions that usually happen behind closed doors. Now we’re making them available free for all.

Listen here to learn what it's all about and follow wherever you get your podcasts!

https://open.spotify.com/episode/0kLC22p1zNLqBJgWiFJlGo?si=cusHOR1UQrmmBNsHtmiUWg

23/12/2024

Happy Holidays from TRINK!

As we raise our glasses to another year of exploring the world of German-speaking wines, we’re filled with gratitude for your unwavering support. You’ve been there with us, page after page, as we’ve worked to bring you the people and places that make these wines so special.

This holiday season, we’re toasting you, our readers, who make independent wine journalism possible. We wish you a season filled with joy, discovery, and deliciousness. Here’s to another year of shared stories and vinous adventures!

22/12/2024

🎄✨ This holiday season, skip the ordinary or ephemeral and give a stand-out gift that lasts all year long!

A TRINK magazine subscription is perfect for wine enthusiasts ready to dive into the world of German-speaking wines – from Austria to Germany, Alto Adige to Switzerland – with stunning photography, expert insights, and stories that bring these regions to life. 🍇 With each story, your favorite wine lover will uncover hidden gems, learn from experts, and connect with the traditions of German-speaking wines.

TRINK more than a magazine – it’s an experience that inspires curiosity and savors story. Plus, gifting a subscription to TRINK is a meaningful way of investing in independent journalism, artists, and a small woman-owned business.

Click the link below, and know we so appreciate your support!. 🥂

Subscribe to Trink Magazine and unlock exclusive wine content, benefits, and experiences for the world of German-speaking wines...

20/12/2024

🍇 Alsace Pinot Noir: A Fairytale Rewritten
Benjamin Roelfs () unveils the exciting evolution of Alsace Pinot Noir in his TRINK debut. Discover how this once-underdog varietal is now thriving in Alsace’s limestone-rich terroirs, producing wines of elegance and complexity.

Learn about:�
• Three new Pinot Noir Grand Crus�
• The rise of lieu-dit wines�
• Climate change’s impact on vineyard management�
• Winemaking innovations

Did you know Alsace Pinot Noir plantings have quintupled in 50 years? With its unique terroir and winemaking traditions, Alsace is carving out its own identity for Pinot Noir.

Share your thoughts on experience with Alsace Pinot Noir below!

Subscribe for the full story at the bio link and uncover the magic of this enchanting region.

📷
🖊️

https://trinkmag.com/

19/12/2024

💖🥂 This holiday, give your friends the gift of connection – to terroir, tradition, and the vibrant world of German-speaking wines!

A 3-month subscription to TRINK magazine opens doors to hidden gems, emerging trends, and the stories behind the bottles. Each brings the vineyards of Austria, Germany, Alto Adige, and Switzerland right to your favorite wine-lover’s inbox. It’s the perfect way to inspire wanderlust, expand palates, and create lasting memories.

Click the bio link and check off another box on your holiday to-do list!

Subscribe to Trink Magazine and unlock exclusive wine content, benefits, and experiences for the world of German-speaking wines...

14/12/2024

We're squeezing in one more TRINKtalks live winemaker conversation before 2024 draws to a close!

Two of Austria's top growers will join us to explore how a small country like Austria became a global front-runner in organic, biodynamic and sustainable viticulture.

On Thursday 19 December
17 CET/16 GMT/11 EST/8 PST

Fred Loimer of Weingut Loimer
Gerhard Wohlmuth of Weingut Wohlmuth

This is a rare opportunity to join the conversation, get insights and intel you’ll find nowhere else, and learn from some of the best. Subscribe today to become part of the TRINK community of readers and be part of this dynamic discussion.

Special thanks to Austrian Wines for partnering with us to bring you this episode of TRINKtalks!

10/12/2024

Stone Age winemaking or cutting-edge innovation? 🤔

In "Franken Casks the First Stone," TRINK contributor Matthias Neske plays stonemason for a day. Join him behind the scenes to meet the pioneering winemakers shaping Silvaner history with their stone-aged wines, and discover the scientific challenges they faced.

🍇 Plus, get exclusive tasting notes on these remarkable Silvaners!

Click the link to read the full story and decide for yourself: Is this the ultimate expression of Franken terroir or a winemaking flight of fancy?

https://buff.ly/49mXgoB

Explore Franken’s stone casks: Innovative winemakers craft stone-aged Silvaners, marrying ancient terroir with cutting-edge techniques.

05/12/2024

“Is there a way to understand a vineyard?” That is the question Norwegian writer Håvard Flatland poses to us this week about Austria's historic Heiligenstein in his newly published report: "Seven in One Sip.". 🍷✨

Following his curiosity and his senses, he takes us on a 7-bottle Riesling odyssey into the steep, terrassed, and south-west facing 43-ha site. “As remarkable to the eye," he writes, "as it is to the palate.”

Read the full story and find out why these wines are the liquid of legends. Warning: This tale may lead to sudden urges to book flights to Austria! 🇦🇹🍇

https://buff.ly/3OFyGWE

Seven bottles of Riesling from Austria's Heiligenstein vineyard were opened to better understand the vineyard's century old secrets to greatness.