Julie Hoch Sparkling Elderflower NV

Pure Joy Botanicals Gruner Veltliner/Elderflower #1 by Julie Hoch

$27.   Soul Wine Price $22.95

I admit it. I was skeptical of this. Until I tried it. Then I was charmed. Who? How? Why? So, I went to the David Bowler website to learn more

“Julie Hoch, a German native, transplanted herself to Austria after getting bitten by the wine bug and falling in love with Christoph Hoch. Saying that she is a great cook, doesn’t quite capture the extra creativity that goes into each dish she prepares. So, it is not a surprise that she dreamed up a new low ABV drink combining wine and botanical tea.

In the spring and summer, she harvests the petals by hand and dries them.To make this naturally low ABV sparkling botanical wine, Julie starts by making a tea during harvest, with the pure petals of the flowers. When the grapes come in, she blends the tea with the fresh grape must, about 70% grape must to 30% tea, and captures the natural fermentation in the bottle. The sparkling botanical wine finishes fermentation dry and naturally has 7% ABV. The floral notes are present, but beautifully integrated, with the juicy aspects of the Grüner and Zweigelt fruit. The wines are complex, but not complicated – fresh, dry, floral, truly delicious and of course, unique like all of Julie’s creations.

When I found her website. I was even more charmed. Take a look for yourself. Then come try this. You really need to.