In Vino Veritas – finding the truth in Munich's wine bars

"I'd love to drink a glass, to pay great tribute to freedom. Only if your wine was a little better, " complains Mephisto in Auerbach's basement and transforms it instantly into a wine bar. We accept mediocre wine and expensive bar prices without further complaint. Why so? There are enough options. Wine bars offer great wine in a charming ambiance and often also a small, but fine menu.

Lovers of French wine meet at Vinothèque Aquitaine (Theresienstraße 19). Franck Bauer has specialised in renowned vineyards such as Bordeaux and Burgundy as well as winemakers from Provence or Loire. Here you don't just enjoy or buy a bottle of wine without being informed in detail. On top, you munch French delicacies coney terrine, great cheese and of course fresh baguette. Cognac is the core of his Vinothèque. It stems from Champagne and has ripened for about 30 years – in oak barrels.

But not only the French have great wine. Also situated in Maxvorstadt, Garibaldi (Schellingstr. 60) runs a wine bar next to its wine store. Main focus are Italian wines, which are complemented by an international quality assortment. An electronic panel shows all open wines. On top you will be informed about the exact time of the bottle opening and how much is left. If the bottle is empty it disappears and a new one shows up on the panel. Garibaldi affords an Italian cook preparing typical delights of our southern neighbor. The flexible evening menu and the skilled and discreet service are a big plus.

For who would like to try wine beyond ordinary taste, is best served at Walter & Benjamin (Rumfordstr. 1). Here you enjoy a relaxed ambiance and soft Jazz sounds as well as good advice and some delicate food. This will cost some Euros, but you will leave the place with a great bottle and a feeling that you have really treated yourself.

A unique place is the Vinothek Feldmann in Neuhausen (Elvirastr. 11) since 1931. In a small space with 1950s design you will be served Austrian first class wine from the region Wagram an der Donau. You will be surprised by the Rote Veltliner, a white wine with a slightly red tinge and the local sparkling wine is a real delight.

Are Vinotheken visitors confessing wine lovers? You would think yes and experts on top? Not necessarily. Advantage of the Vinotheken: They introduce into the art of wine in the nicest way. You try, will be explained and seduced and then you leave nourished and with the idea that you have found what suits you. It is exciting to learn more about a growing area, the characteristics of the grape variety, how they smell, what they taste like and how the wine is best tempered and stored. For who wants to learn even more can book wine seminar e. g. with Franck Bauer or in the Cantina in Haidhausen (Elsäßerstr. 23).

by Karin Nagl

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