My New Favorite Esoteric Wine
By: Jameson Fink
Published: August 11, 2010

I love rosé. If you can make a pink wine out of any grape and it's dry, I'm interested. So when I found out that Austrian dynamo producer Hofer made a rosé, I was thrilled and ready to step over anybody to try it. Naturally, Foodista blog faithful, you remember me extolling the virtues of a red Zweigelt that Hofer makes in a one-liter size sealed with a bottle cap. (Oh, you don't remember? Well, in the midst of wiping away the tears flooding my keyboard, I'll try to find the time to give you a link.) Anyway, Zweigelt is a traditional grape from Austria that is a bit earthy and a lot juicy. It makes really fun reds that, for me, are some of the ultimate BBQ companions. And if these wines weren't weird enough, just try to sell a rosé version. (Dearest Hofer: Thank you for doing so.) This is a rosé wholly in my wheelhouse: pale, austere, and mega-dry. It also, as you will see in the photo on the right, has a bit of spritz to it. Just a touch that reminded me of drinking Vinho Verde from Portugal. So step up to your winemonger and demand Austrian Zweigelt Rosé! Either they will give you a blank stare, scream in terror, or maybe lean in for a hug for validating their eccentricity. (You'd be right to think I'd respond with the latter, but I'm anti-hugging.)
So in the world of wine, what bizarre bottles pique your interest?