In the time-honoured town hall hall - where a good two months ago, as every year, the old custom of "One, two, Geissebei" took place - the former town and municipal councillors are invited to dinner. I am there and put my nose into the glass expectantly - while drinking red wine. A drink of honour at a dinner of honour. An infinitely heavy, deep, fruity, young Bordeaux comes towards me, but it can't be a Bodeaux at all (but perhaps it would like to be, I don't know). I guess Spain and I'm right. The wine is good, but...
Why Spain, why not a local wine? A "Rosenstädter" - actually a historic city wine (vineyard below the castle) or - not quite as distinguished - a "Höcklisteiner", a "Lenggiser", "Meineberg", a country wine, Pinot Noir, as there are many around Lake Zurich. You can even - if the wine of the municipality (pardon: of the city) is not representative enough - it is a dinner of honour after all - you can - as with white wine at the aperitif - switch to Zurich: there are a few very good names: Schwarzenbach, Meier, Schipf or even on the Obersee: Bamert.
What I always notice with amazement and slight irritation is that the obvious is often so far away. Local politicians who have worked for years for the benefit and well-being of a municipality meet over a meal (Lake Zurich whitefish soup, Joner - the name of a part of the municipality - saddle of veal...) and wine from Spain, more precisely from the Priorat. The wine is - as I said - very good, the choice perhaps a little less so... it does go with the food, but also with the occasion.... I would like to see, also in matters of wine, critical judgements, but a little more self-confidence, more honour to whom honour is due, because even local wines can definitely meet the demands of wine lovers.
Now to the wine served: it shows its origin - and the effort - to make a top wine: a blend of Garnacha negra, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carinena and Merlot - very alcoholic, warm, soft and round, mineral notes, with moderate wood that lets the fruit play, i.e. supports and does not prevent it. Galena is the old name for the mineral ganelite, the wine rightly bears this name: a mineral component is specific to the Priorat wine region on the steep hills in Catalonia and gives the wines their very special note and power. Intense dark red-blue, voluminous yet elegant, ripe and beautiful on the finish. In this respect, the wine officials did well for the event.