Austrian red wine has emerged from the shadow of white wine over the last twenty years – and developed its own identity, working with indigenous grape varieties instead of international classics. 37 red wines in the assortment, with a focus on Burgenland.
Zweigelt is the most widely planted red grape variety: juicy, with cherry notes and moderate tannins, usually ready to drink young. Blaufränkisch is the more demanding expression – darker, richer in tannins, often with aging potential. From Lake Neusiedl comes Gernot Heinrich with biodynamically produced blends and single vineyards, and from Southern Burgenland Wachter-Wiesler and Weninger.
Stylistically, Austrian red wine lies between Palatinate and Italian – fresher than a typical South Tyrolean Lagrein, earthier than German Spätburgunder. For an introduction, we recommend a young Zweigelt from Lake Neusiedl, served at 15°C.
See also: Red Wine Germany, Red Wine Italy.
