A few weeks ago, in my article Spring has Sprung, I highlighted 10 wines that are perfect for spring drinking. Today, I’m going to focus on one of them: Zweigelt, Austria’s most planted red wine grape that is a cross between Blaufränkisch and St. Laurent (tastes like Pinot Noir). Resulting wines are bright, tart, and fruity. This wine is perfect for picnics.
The Creation of Zweigelt
This grape was created in 1922 by Fritz Zweigelt, a viticulturalist. According to Wikipedia, he “was one of the most influential and internationally renowned figures in Austrian vine growing between 1921 and 1945.”
Wine Searcher describes the combination of Blaufränkisch and St. Laurent as perfect: “From Blaufrankisch it has taken a certain spiciness and good acidity. From Saint-Laurent it gets its bright, Pinot-like cherry aromas and the ability to create silky, elegant wines.”
Unfortunately, Fritz Zweigelt was aligned with the Nazis. According to Grape Collective, there is an Austrian performance art group that seeks to raise awareness of the need to “free a fine wine from its unfortunate namesake.”
Cherries Are Front and Center
In my favorite red wine book called Red Wine The Comprehensive Guide to the 50 Essential Varieties and Styles, there’s a great quote by winemaker Roman Josef Pfaffl: “Zweigelt is such a great grape variety when it comes to fruit. You can hardly find these distinctive cherry notes in any other variety.”
Other flavors you’re likely to find from this grape: raspberry, currant, pepper, licorice, chocolate and cinnamon.
How Is the Grape Used?
According to Wine Searcher, while the varietal Zweigelt wines are very common, the grape is also commonly used in blends. It is often combined with Cabernet and Merlot to create an Austrian twist on the classic Bordeaux blend.
And while we think of the wine as being dry, the grape is also used to produce sweet wines in various forms. “The world’s most expensive wines made from Zweigelt are either strohwein (a French term for sweet wine made from grapes that have been dried out to concentrate the sugar levels in their juice) or ice wine.”
Food Pairings
Some of the best pairings rely on the variety’s regional pairings (roasted ham hock is a a classic Austrian match). It’s relatively robust structure, tannins and freshness mean the variety can stand up to a number of hearty dishes, from grilled sausages and mustard to a duck confit.
Wine Folly goes on to say that this is “The ultimate picnic red that will moisten up even the driest piece of barbecue-grilled chicken and will even make store-bought macaroni salad taste amazing.”
Are you a fan of Zweigelt?
