MU Wine Society celebrates new season

MODUL University’s Wine Society, the extra-curricular activity for the budding sommelier, is the university’s longest-running student club. Through tastings, excursions, and lectures members gain such knowledge as how to differentiate a Zweigelt from a Blaufränkisch – Austria’s two main red varietals – and which white wine best complements a lightly spiced Asian dish.

Now in its fifth semester, fall 2011’s first meeting of the Wine Society had the biggest turnout ever with 26 students securing a place in the club. MODUL University’s choice location on Mt. Kahlenberg overlooks Vienna’s main wine producing area (interestingly, Vienna is the only capital in the world to have vineyards within city limits), and the kick-off festivities were held down the hill at Mayer am Pfarrplatz in nearby Grinzing. New recruits and seasoned society members alike received a brief introduction to Austrian wine production, a guided tour through the cellar, and enjoyed the social atmosphere paired with wine tasting.

In addition to fully-matured wines, Austria is also a foremost producer of young wine, or ”Junger Wiener” in the local dialect. They were able to compare the taste of this newling, two weeks out of the cask, with other homegrown varietals such as Riesling, Grüner Veltliner and Pinot Noir. Along with choice beverages, these wine taverns or ‘Heurige’ also serve delicious food. As many of the society members are international in origin, for some it was a first encounter with the traditional Viennese “Brettljausn”, an array of sliced cheeses, meats, and spreads served on a wooden board. Fun was had by all, and the tastings and discussion resulted in selection the MU Christmas wine, which will become presents for our partners in the holiday season.

The society has 5-6 more events planned for this semester, including ‘The ABCs of Wine’, and three student arranged events. Previous years have seen champagne and sweet wine tastings, visits to Krems and the famed Wachau wine region, and wine fairs to name a few.

Check out the Wine Society facebook page!