Info
My name is David Belluz and I live in Eisenstadt, Burgenland where I am pursuing my WSET Level 4 Diploma. The wines being produced in Burgenland today have never been better and that is why they deserve the utmost of respect. I deeply value and admire both the wine and the people who make it. Kalk & Kreide's core values are transparency, honesty and independence and it is from this bedrock that all tastings, reviews and articles are built. Tastings are either conducted at wineries or at Kalk & Kreide itself. Wines can be tasted blind (either alone or in peer groupings) or openly in order to assess vintage variation or in a vertical tasting. The vast majority of wines tasted are purchased by Kalk & Kreide. Kalk & Kreide does not accept gifts or preferential treatment for positive reviews. However, where a conflict of interest may exist, this conflict will be acknowledged within the text itself or in a post script. At the end of the day, Kalk & Kreide will conduct itself with professionalism, transparency and integrity regarding all tastings, reviews and written articles. The hard work and sacrifice made by winemakers to create wines that bring us such extraordinary pleasure and joy deserves nothing less.
How the wines are rated
There was a time when I adored the 100 point system of Robert Parker and Wine Spectator. After roaming down the aisles searching for the perfect wine, I could feel confident that the bottle I had finally chosen was indeed perfect because it had won 90 points or more. I didn't need to think about wine styles, producers or even varietals. All the decision making had been made for me. It didn't take long to realize, however, that I had traded hard earned knowledge and curiosity for laziness and convenience. I certainly was not developing a skill set for tasting and understanding wine, especially great wine. I didn't need to. On the other hand, what happens when winemakers begin making wines with the sole purpose of earning 99 or 100 points? And is there truly a meaningful distinction between 89 and 90 points? My experience says there is not.
The 5 star scale is used in place of the point system because I think it offers wine drinkers the space and the independence to choose wines they may not have otherwise purchased. Wines are tasted, considered, and rated on their own merits at the time of tasting. The scale is by no means universal; in fact, it is relative. The wines are reviewed and rated from within their own peer groups and relevant reference points as single varietal wines or cuvées. The highest rated wines will display magnificent balance, harmony, and finesse while clearly expressing a sense of place. They are wines you will not soon forget.
* Drink at your own risk! Deeply flawed and therefore unpalatable.
* * Good or Passable. You can drink this if you're in a pinch but don't expect any fireworks.
* * * Very Good. A perfectly drinkable wine for almost all occasions but with a few limitations.
* * * * Excellent. Displays superb aromas, flavours, balance, and elegance. Complex and alluring.
* * * * * Outstanding. An authentic and extraordinary wine of character, charm and beauty. Exceptional complexity.