Shields Hood, president elect of the Society of Wine Educators praised the Austrian Wine Adventure Tour as ''the best educational wine web site ever''. A virtual tour of Austrian wine country, acoustic glossary, interactive quizzes, and downloadable educational materials have equipped enthusiastic wine educators in North America with the tools they need for educating a broad public on Austrian wines.

One entire day of the conference was dedicated to Austrian wine. North American importers Terry Theise of Michael Skurnik Wines and Seth Allen of Vin Divino were supported by Fritz Miesbauer of Freie Weingärtner Wachau and Alois Kracher in seminars and tastings of over 100 of Austria's best wines that highlighted the broad range of styles. Wine educators successfully completing the exam at the end of the day were awarded a ''Proficiency in Austrian Wine'' Certificate. Ten candidates received an A-grade on the exam and were awarded a trip to the Austrian Wine Summit 2003 by Michael Thurner of the Austrian Wine Marketing Board. "Enthusiasm for our wonderful wines has to be rewarded, those people will become Ambassadors for our wines and Austria as a country" says Michael Thurner.

Winners of the Grand Prize trip to the Austrian Wine Summit 2003 and excerpts from their essays follow:

Gilles de Chambure, Oakville CA
Austria has burst onto the international wine stage in the last 15 years due to the vitality and originality of dynamic wine producers focusing on quality rather than quantity in making terroir driven wines.

Shields Hood, Collieville TN
Many consumers around the globe are seeking out newer food friendly wines and finding the answer in the dry whites, reds, and noble sweet wines of Austria.

Steve Johnson, Eugene OR
The delicious Austrian reds from Zweigelt, Blaufränkisch, and St. Laurent grape varieties have yet to be discovered, but they will be.

Geoff Labitzke, Sonoma CA
The success of Austrian wine coincides with a period where consumers are drinking less and demanding higher quality. The demand for unique high quality wines puts Austria in a very advantageous position.

Linda Lawry, New York NY
The high and consistent quality, the diversity of style, and unique flavors of Austrian wines offer consumers pleasurable and exciting new discoveries.

Sheri Sauter, Port Washington NY
Unique varietals such as Grüner Veltliner, Zweigelt, and Blaufränkisch offer the consumer tired of Chardonnay and Merlot something new and exciting. Lovers of the classics enticed by Riesling find a piercingly clear and powerful style quite different from Alsatian or German Riesling.

Roger Stockton, Carson City NV
With most Austrian wine being produced by small family wineries in a broad range of styles, Austria is the most exciting place in the wine world to make new discoveries.

Randa Warren, Tulsa OK
The multitude of wine styles Austria is bringing into the world is astounding: dry, crisp, racy Grüner Veltliner; luscious, sensual noble sweet wines; pure, clean, floral Rieslings laced with mineral nuances; sparkling Schilcher Rosé; and last but not least refreshingly unique red wines bursting with fresh forward berry fruit and spices entwined with memorable character and backbone. Austria offers something for every wine lover to get excited about.

Rolf Wetzel, Las Vegas NV
Austrian wines beat higher priced international wines in blind tastings regularly ...... please make them more available throughout the USA.

Laura Williamson, Vail CO
Austria has truly earned international recognition by using unique indigenous varieties, to produce superb, consistent quality allowing terroir to shine through in some of the world's most food-friendly, exotic, enticing wines.

Press Release
July 2002, Austrian Wine Marketing Board
info@winesfromaustria.com

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