Wednesday Wine Tip - 20.03.24

TAG 2019 by Meinklang

Futuristic Elegance

Wine: TAG 2019

Winemaker: Meinklang

Origin: Burgenland, Austria

Grapes: Grüner Veltliner

Method: 11 days of skin contact in concrete eggs

This week's Wednesday Wine Tip is TAG 2019 from Meinklang. Most people have heard of or seen Meinklang in their life if they drink wine. Especially if you have ventured into the world of organic, biodynamic, and natural wines, Meinklang have been for a while and still is, a big player in that domain.

Unlike a lot of their more affordable and simpler wines, TAG is a part of their day-series, showcasing more complex and small-batch wines made to be enjoyed different times of the day. TAG, meaning day, is to be enjoyed during daytime, and I do believe so too.

It's a very energetic wine, full of life and the typical aromas from a high-quality orange Grüner Veltliner. It's got great fruitiness, the typical hints of pepper, and some lingering saltiness to make you want more from the wine and the day.

At the heart of Meinklang is a young couple, Angela and Werner Michlits, who oversee the wine production of their diverse 1500-hectare farm, which dedicates 70 hectares to both red and white wine grapes. Transitioning to organic farming in the early '90s under Werner's parents, the Michlits family has since embraced a holistic approach, integrating livestock and various crops to maintain a balanced ecosystem. Their efforts have led to a certified organic and biodynamic (Demeter) vineyard that produces vegan wines, emphasizing a minimal intervention philosophy. Located in the serene Seewinkel area of Eastern Austria, Meinklang thrives on its unique microclimate and rich soil, crafting wines that reflect the harmony between nature and the Michlits' nurturing touch.

Chronicles of Crime: 2400

We are getting close to Easter, and for me that means board games among other things. I’ve been in a sci-fi bubble ever since I saw Dune Part Two, which explains this weeks pairings. Meinklang have been ahead of their time for a while, and TAG definitely is a wine that you can enjoy with some sci-fi stuff. It’s not a typical Grüner Veltliner, it’s a bit hard to pin down what it taste, and it’s so alive that it makes you wonder what this stuff is made of.

Chronicles of Crime is a very fun board game series that lets you play interactive stories with your board game and a phone to solve mysteries. It’s good to play alone, and even more fun with friends as well. The stories you choose shows you their difficulty level, so you can go for the story that fits your mood and energy level. They have of course a bunch of expansion packs, and 2400 is one of those, but works as a standalone game as well. I just love a good board game and wine evening, and with TAG you are not gonna be on the lazy side. TAG will keep you sharp and on it!

Altered Carbon Season 1

My thirst for more sci-fi has been big, and with the overwhelming choices on all the streaming platforms makes it almost impossible to choose and you just end up with decision exhaustion. One series I remembered that I loved (at least the first season) was Altered Carbon. In a time where people in Silicon Valley wants us to live forever, it’s good to get a reminder of what that could mean for humanity if we actually managed to never die. Spoiler alert - it’s not good for us.

If you also enjoy a rich and well-written sci-fi universe with cool technology and good characters, I can recommend Altered Carbon if you haven’t seen it yet. First season came out in 2018, and I think it was a bit before its time. Like Meinklang and their wines. So grab a bottle of TAG, watch Altered Carbon, and appreciate the sleeve you have (this will make sense after episode one).

Cyberpunk 2077

Now that my hobby and passion has become my job (and hopefully my long term career 🤞), I realized I needed to have hobbies that didn’t put my brain into work mode. Video games have been a big thing for me since I was a kid (born early 90s), but as an adult I have struggled to find the calmness to get back into virtual worlds. That’s why I recently got myself a PlayStation 5 that I’ve been looking forward to for many years. The first game I wanted to play was Cyberpunk 2077, because I love open world role playing games and I love sci-fi.

I know video games aren’t for everyone, and not everyone have a next-gen gaming console or a gaming PC that is good enough, but I thought I would recommend it anyway. Typically you recommend food with wine, but I truly believe that limits the way you can enjoy good wine immensely. So if you can, join the future with some really good orange wine in your glass and take a break from reality. I know I need it these days.

Enjoy!