Zweigelt has long been Austrian national pride in liquid form. It is no coincidence that it is the country’s most widely cultivated red wine variety. While many enjoy its taste, its bouquet conceals far more surprises than one might expect. We have looked—only figuratively—deep into the glass.

With the support of the federal government, the province and the European Union.

It is no accident that Zweigelt has established itself as Austria’s most popular red wine variety. This special grape variety is flexible, can develop wonderful expressions with or without wood, and tastes excellent both chilled in summer and at the right temperature in winter. The main reason for these diverse yet concise expressions of Zweigelt is above all the intensive emphasis in recent years on the typical regions of origin that are also ideal for this wine—such as Neusiedlersee DAC.

A regional definition that is perceived very clearly as a guarantee of quality in the global wine world thanks to the tireless work of the respective winemakers. “After all, this also applies to Zweigelt: Everything is a question of location! Here at Lake Neusiedl we have what Zweigelt likes and needs: sun and warmth, moderate precipitation, moderate temperature differences between day and night thanks to direct lakeside location, and winemakers who understand their craft. All of this together gives it our regional identity and quality,” says Neusiedlersee DAC Managing Director Torsten Aumüller.

One thing is obvious: the taste finesse of Zweigelt can hardly be expressed in written lines; one must smell it, taste it, drink it. However, apart from its bouquet, the name Zweigelt conceals a surprising number of secrets that can be served as stories packaged in small portions. That is exactly what we have done!

1. Zweigelt: The Liquid Superfruit

The Austrian platform Wine & Health has set itself the goal of scientifically researching the effects of moderate wine consumption on health under the direction of Univ. Prof. DDr. Wolfgang Graninger. It has been confirmed that life expectancy increases sustainably with one to two glasses of 125 ml per day of the “right” red wine. Red wines with a high polyphenol content in particular are attested to have a particularly health-promoting effect; we would practically be drinking the “immune substances of the vines,” according to the researcher. The particularly origin-typical Neusiedlersee DAC wines fall precisely into this category. They are thus—enjoyed in moderation—liquid superfruits!

2. Zweigelt: Masterpiece of Versatility

Thanks to its varietal aromas of cherry, berry, and plum, Zweigelt is an easily accessible wine. The interplay of soft tannins and moderate acidity allows it to harmonize with many dishes without dominating them. Zweigelt from the Neusiedlersee DAC region of origin can be combined with a wide range of dishes thanks to different aging styles—from young and fresh to barrique-aged. Not least for this reason, the German two-star chef Tim Raue is impressed by the Austrian flagship red wine. He says: “My dishes are aromatically diverse, sometimes even explosive. Here, Zweigelt pairs wonderfully with my main courses in particular: it shows balance and harmony where other wines prefer to present themselves. It is fruit-forward and harmonious, mild in acidity and tannin. This makes it an almost universally applicable food companion without being intrusive. Above all, its own paprika and pepper notes pair very well with poultry and beef dishes from Chinese cuisine, in my view. Kung Pao chicken would be a good example. But I can also very well imagine duck dishes flavored with Sichuan pepper with a Zweigelt. And not to forget a great classic: Black Pepper Beef! A dish that naturally also goes very, very well with the powerful intensity of a Zweigelt Reserve. Aromatically spicy Asian cuisine and Zweigelt: two that definitely belong together!”

3. Zweigelt: One of the First Austrians

Zweigelt is perhaps the most Austrian grape variety of all—certainly among the reds. Bred in 1922 by Austrian viticulture professor Fritz Zweigelt, it recently celebrated its 100th anniversary. The botanist crossed the varieties St. Laurent and Blaufränkisch to create the vine he originally called “Rotburger.” That it sparkles in our glasses today is ultimately thanks to Zweigelt’s student and admirer Lenz Moser and the “high culture” system he developed. From then on, things went steeply upward for Zweigelt—until today.

4. Zweigelt: Grape Variety of Many Names

The now so familiar Zweigelt has had and still has many names. The official designation “Zweigeltrebe Blau” first appeared in 1972 in the then-new grape variety register for quality wines. Only later was this variety name officially changed to “Blauer Zweigelt.” At the same time, at the request of HBLA Klosterneuburg, whose director Fritz Zweigelt once was, his original designation “Rotburger” was officially added. This was intended to highlight the common origin of the new varieties Blauburger, Goldburger, and Rotburger/Blauer Zweigelt. Rarer, but especially common in Eastern Europe, is also the term “Zweigeltrebe.”

5. Zweigelt: The Globetrotter

Although Zweigelt is closely associated with Austria, it is also cultivated in other countries, such as Germany, the Czech Republic, and Canada. Its adaptability to cooler climates makes it a popular choice in areas with shorter growing seasons. Canadian Zweigelt, especially from Ontario and British Columbia, has been gaining increasing attention in recent years. Particularly surprising: even in Japan there are now small Zweigelt vineyards. Nevertheless: Zweigelt thrives best in its homeland. Here it finds what it likes and needs. Especially in Austria’s easternmost wine region of origin, Lake Neusiedl, where location(s), the microclimate of the surrounding lake, and the careful winemakers make it a particularly origin-typical Neusiedlersee DAC.

6. Zweigelt: The Cool Summer Wine

An unwritten rule has become fixed in our minds that is in truth long outdated: the idea that “red wine should be drunk at room temperature.” It originates from a time when rooms were not heated to 23 degrees, but rather to approximately 17–18 degrees. The assumption is therefore obvious that the matter of warm wine in a large glass is rather a small misunderstanding. At least with wines that are not super dense. If one pursues this thought further, one quickly arrives at chilled light reds; chilled Zweigelt in particular is an excellent choice, as Stefan Neumann emphasizes. The Master Sommelier has been active internationally for years and thus always knows what is currently well received where. He predicts a particularly promising future for the regionally typical Neusiedlersee DAC Zweigelt. Because the grape variety is not only easily accessible, but can be presented in the glass both dense and fresh and light. Precisely this versatile Zweigelt variation is ideal for chilled wine, which according to Neumann is really great fun in summer. Steve Breitzke from MAST in Vienna goes even further: “On hot days we sometimes serve red wine in an ice bucket, and even ice cubes in a red wine glass are no longer taboo.” Neumann adds: “People may drink wine the way they like it. There is no right or wrong.” The best part: this is exactly how new trends emerge—like enjoying chilled Zweigelt in summer.

7. Zweigelt: The Creator

Due to climate change, botanists worldwide are working to develop new, particularly resilient grape varieties based on existing varieties. The scientist Gertrude Mayer from the Federal College and Federal Institute for Viticulture and Pomology used Zweigelt in the late 1990s to breed the Roessler variety. This combines the quality of classic Zweigelt with even further improved fungal resistance. This so-called PIWI grape variety has been approved in Austria as a quality grape variety since 2000. Due to its good color intensity, it is occasionally also referred to as “Black Zweigelt.”

One thing is crystal clear: those who crave surprises are just as right on the shores of Lake Neusiedl as all those who value traditional craftsmanship and culinary pleasures. Because with all its complexity, Zweigelt offers exactly what almost every red wine lover is looking for: pure enjoyment.

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NEUSIEDLERSEE DAC.
Unique Zweigelt. Unique sweet wines.
From Austria’s sunny side. A delight for every palate.

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