2011 Esterhzy, Estoras, Burgenland, Austria (£9.95, From Vineyards Direct, 020-7549 7900, www.fromvineyardsdirect.com).
This week's red wine is distinctly blue-blooded and, on the basis of three wines tasted recently, I have a feeling that the Esterhzy estate is teetering on the edge of superstardom.
The Esterhzys, who employed Haydn for 30 years as court composer, have been making wine since the early 18th century. According to the history books, both Empress Maria Theresa of Austria and Goethe were especially fond of their wines and Haydn enjoyed them so much that he asked for his salary to be partly paid in wine (he was always one of my favourite composers and now I know why).
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The labels of the Estoras wines depict the Golden Fleece, the highest chivalric order of the Burgundian kings and Habsburg emperors. I was particularly taken with the 2011 Grner Veltliner (£11.85), with its pinpoint citrus and white-pepper nose and sleek, sultry palate.
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My chosen red is a remarkable wine made from blaufrnkisch, cabernet and merlot. The crunch of acidity which underpins this violet and blueberry-scented wine is thrilling.
I have a feeling that, with the sub-tenner price, the wine is not going to hang around on the shelves for long, so get on the phone presto!
Matthew Jukes is a winner of the International Wine & Spirit Competition's Communicator of the Year (www.matthewjukes.com).
