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How long can you keep Zweigelt wine?
Zweigelt is a new variety selected in 1922 by Dr. Fritz Zweigelt, LFZ Klosterneuburg, from St. Laurent and Blaufränkisch. Its dissemination is due to the fact that Lenz Moser planted the variety in high culture on a large scale and recommended it to other winegrowers. Towards the end of the last century, when areas cultivated for red wines were extended,…
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What is Rotgipfler?
Austria boasts an impressive selection of wines made from globally celebrated grape varieties like Riesling, Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay, Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains, Traminer, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah. However, the assortment of indigenous grape varieties is even more noteworthy. The term “indigenous” refers to grape varieties that have originated almost exclusively in a particular region through natural…
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Is Blaufränkisch sweet?
Blaufränkisch was first documented in the 18th century in Austria, while in Germany it appeared later under the names Lemberger or Limberger, deriving from the town of Limberg (now Maissau) in northern Austria. In Hungary, it goes by the name Kékfrankos. This ancient indigenous grape variety is a result of crossing Blaue Zimmerttraube and Weisser Heunisch. Blaufränkisch has been used…
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Is Grauburgunder the same as Chardonnay?
While Austria does have an impressive selection of globally celebrated grape varieties like Riesling, Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay, Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains, Traminer, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah, it is the range of indigenous grape varieties that is particularly noteworthy. These “indigenous” grapes have originated almost exclusively in a particular region through natural crossbreeding or mutations and have…
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What are the red wines of Burgenland?
In the east of Austria lies Burgenland. The name means “land of castles” in German and it comes from the fact that the region was once home to many castles and fortresses. It was part of the Kingdom of Hungary until the end of WWI, when it became part of Austria following the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. This meant…
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What to eat with Blaufränkisch?
The cuisine of Austria, known as the “Viennese” cuisine, is incredibly diverse due to the many influences that the Austro-Hungarian Empire has experienced over the centuries, including French, Italian, Turkish, Balkan, Eastern European, and German. You will find a large variety of ingredients such as wild mushrooms (Schwammerl), white asparagus, artichokes, and root vegetables, as well as offal, alpine cheeses,…
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What is the leading grape variety of Austria?
Austria is best known for the quality of its white wines, made from both native Grüner Veltliner and Riesling. In Austria, grape varieties don’t respect political boarders. If you want to know why, check out my post on the history of wine in Austria. For instance, Grüner Veltliner is found in Hungary as well. A quick word on climate :…
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What type of wine is Ruster Ausbruch?
There is ample archaeological evidence to suggest that the Romans were producing wines in the Burgenland region of Austria in order to supply their large settlements in Carnuntum and Vienna. The area around Neusiedlersee, a large lake shared between Austria and Hungary, became particularly famous for its sweet wines. The town of Rust, located on the western shore of the…
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What type of wine is Sekt?
According to DWDS (German online dictionnary, sort of), “Sekt” is a term used to describe sparkling wine. Its origin can be traced back to the French word “sec,” meaning “dry” or “tart” wine, derived from the Latin word “siccus,” which means “dry.” Initially, “Sekt” referred to wines made from dried grapes in Spain and the Canary Islands (as seen in the…
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What grape is Sekt made from?
Sekt, a sparkling wine widely enjoyed in Germany and other parts of Europe, is made from a variety of grape types carefully selected for for the production of Qualitätswein. There are 40 of them, 26 are white and 14 are red. The choice of grape varieties plays a crucial role in defining the flavor, aroma, and overall character of Sekt.…
