In this masterclass, we focus specifically on the fascinating combination of sparkling wines with Haymilk cheese and explore why perlage, acidity and structure harmonise so well with milk, texture and maturity. The tasting will be accompanied by the Harkamp Winery, which will provide expert guidance with its sparkling wines and expertise.
As ARGE Heumilch and certified cheese sommeliers, we provide insight into the production, maturation and sensory properties of Haymilk cheese. Together, we analyse selected pairings and show how sparkling wines, with their freshness, mousseux and dosage, perfectly complement different cheese styles – from young and creamy to mature and complex.
This masterclass provides in-depth knowledge, sensory insights and practical tips for selecting harmonious combinations. Discover how sparkling wine and Haymilk cheese not only complement each other, but also elevate each other to a new level of flavour.

Moderation: Nadja Bernhard, mit Andreas Wickhoff MW, Armin Tement & Roland Velich

Austria – a small, fine wine country with great history.
Shaped by empire and upheaval, by a sense of order and individualism, Austrian wine continues to navigate the tensions between historical and contemporary, political and cultural developments.
What really defines wine from Austria in its origin?
It is the conscious encounter between soil and vine. The search for the essence of the place.
Many winemakers are committed to this origin with uncompromising dedication – and translate it into the glass with artisanal clarity: precise, unadulterated, independent.
But where independence grows, friction arises.
With rules and regulations. With expectations. With traditions.
The desire to take terroir and grape variety radically seriously often leads to conflicts with legislators in one's own country – while precisely this attitude sparks international enthusiasm.

Between regulation and freedom, origin and vision, a discourse emerges that extends far beyond the glass.
An approach to origin and attitude.
A story of conflict and fascination.
A debate – told in three wines.

Andreas Wickhoff, MW, Weingut Bründlmayer
Armin Tement, Weingut Tement
Roland Velich, Weingut Moric

By Katja Scharnagl, Wine Sales & Education & Sommelier (NY); Sascha Speicher, Meininger Verlag (GER); Aurore Jeudy, Cellar Master Schlumberger & Head of Sekt Austria; Andreas Wickhoff, MW, CEO Winery Bründlmayer

In 2015, the Sekt Austria Pyramid ushered in a new era for premium Austrian sparkling wine. Since then, the country’s sparkling wine scene has evolved dynamically, becoming younger, more diverse, and increasingly vibrant. Today, Austria is regarded as one of the most exciting origins for high-quality sparkling wines. This masterclass revisits the past decade through a selection of representative vintage examples from the Sekt Austria Reserve and Sekt Austria Grosse Reserve categories, offering insight into how the Sekt Austria classification has reshaped Austria’s sparkling wine landscape.

Visitors can also sample Austrian sparkling wine at the Sekt Austria bar in the foyer. Discover and enjoy a comprehensive range of Sekt Austria in the three categories Sekt Austria, Sekt Austria Reserve and Sekt Austria Große Reserve.

Among VieVinum’s highlights is the awards ceremony for Star Wine List of the Year Germany-Austria-Switzerland 2026, which will be held on Monday 18 May 2026 at 12.30 pm, at Schatzkammersaal. Please note that this event is for finalists, commercial partners and selected media only, and attendance is strictly by invitation. Any invited guests must confirm their place with Star Wine List directly for admittance.

Star Wine List is the international wine lovers’ guide to great wine bars and restaurants, covering over 45 countries. The Star Wine List of the Year competition celebrates the world’s best wine lists and the dedicated sommelier teams who create them by awarding Gold Stars in regional contests in various countries, leading up to a Global Final each summer. Subscribe to the Star Wine List newsletter to stay informed (https://starwinelist.com/newsletter).

A masterclass with Ludwig Neumayer and his winemaking friends Michael Edlmoser, Andi Kollwentz, John Nittnaus, Reinhard Muster and Georg Prieler.

Wines from limestone terroirs are currently highly sought-after, driven largely by renowned winemakers who study this soil type meticulously and craft wines that resonate particularly well with a discerning sommelier audience. Six of these winemakers have now come together for a dialogue to define the tangible characteristics of limestone soils, navigating the space between myth and fact, and to explore the role this terroir can play in the future of winemaking.

The wines featured in this masterclass will also be available for tasting throughout VieVinum at the table of LUDWIG NEUMAYER & FRIENDS.