Willi Oppitz Austrian winemaker

[Zinner]

I've been lucky enough to have quite a number of opportunities to taste Eiswein--German, Austrian, Canadian and others. And it seems to me that I've had stand-outs from each place. I don't think it's that cut and dried that one is always going to have the superior product. Sometimes the perfect conditions and the great grapes come together without respect to country of origin.

And I've quite enjoyed some of the Vidal Ice Wine I've had too. It's different but then in Germany, a Riesling Eiswein is different than a Scheurebe Eiswein. I just appreciate them for what they are.

As for the Trockenbeerenauslese, I thought that intensity is one of the things that folks pay the big bucks to get. Perhaps your friend would just prefer an Auslese or a Beerenauslese. Or perhaps I don't understand exactly what his objection was.

As for Inniskillen, agree they do some great stuff. Do taste that if you get a chance.