Origin: Burgenland, Austria
Grape: 80% Zweigelt, 15% Blaufrankisch, 5% Sankt Laurent
Year: 2015
Alcohol: 12.5
Price point: $15
Year Reviewed: 2018
Step out of your comfort zone with your usual varietals…Take a look at the above blend of grapes…..go to the wild side. This wine captured my interest as it was a blend of Austria’s 2 staple grape varietals….
The creation of the Zweigelt variety in the 1920’s by Professor Fritz Zweigelt, a crossing between Blaufränkisch and St. Laurent, only really gained recognition after the Second World War. Nowadays, Zweigelt is the most widespread red wine variety in Austria and can be found in suitable sites in all wine-producing regions.
https://www.austrianwine.com/our-wine/grape-varieties/red-wine/zweigelt/
he Blaufränkisch is a thoroughly central European variety. This traditional Austrian variety is a cross between Blauer Zimmettraube and Weißer Heunisch. Blaufränkisch was previously widely-planted throughout the Habsburg Monachy,
https://www.austrianwine.com/our-wine/grape-varieties/red-wine/blaufraenkisch/
The high quality St. Laurent variety belongs to the Pinot family, and the synonym Pinot St. Laurent suggests a pinot seedling. In the course of a more quality orientated thinking in recent years, the variety has experienced a revival in all wine-producing regions.
https://www.austrianwine.com/our-wine/grape-varieties/red-wine/st-laurent/
A clear medium ruby wine with a clean nose and medium intensity with aromas of spice, sharp cherry and vanilla. Not as interesting on the nose as on the palate. The palate awakes you with such interesting flavors that I haven’t experienced in a wine previously. The cherry notes, pepper and spice are well blended and have a good structure. Tannins are well integrated and not too strong. I see this wine pairing with some foods that are difficult to pair with such as asparagus dishes, liver and veal dishes and duck. Besides the interest on the palate, I am enjoying the unique aromas I receive from my glass. This wine gives me many flavors from start to a medium finish that finishes a bit tart and then rounds out beautifully in 15 seconds and becomes almost velvety on the tongue. Quality is very good and worth the experience of trying some popular Austrian grapes. I will purchase this one again.