What the heck is Zweigelt?

The hills are alive... and growing grapes!

Recently I decided I wanted to try some Austrian wines. Everybody associates Austria with Grüner Veltliner, but I wanted a wine even more off the beaten both. And this was how I came to try my first glass of Zweigelt.

This is actually a hybrid grape that results from crossing Blaüfrankisch and St. Laurent. The grape is gaining some traction in the cooler climate vineyards of Canada and Northern Europe. Because this is so not a warm weather wine, the tannins are very soft. And yet there’s some texture there with hints of dark cherry and raspberry. I tried a glass of Glatzer Zweigelt Dornenvogel 2005, the vineyard’s reserve. Even though it’s aged in Amerian oak I didn’t get much of the sweeter flavors. Instead I felt a nice aroma of spice and earthiness.

It’s certainly a very interesting wine, and one that I’m looking forward to exploring more.