Zweigelt Reserve Neusiedlersee, Artisan, Burgenland 2019

Artisan, Halbturn, Burgenland

Austria is so much more than grüner veltliner. You will notice this not least when you come to Burgenland. Drinking the regions red wines from zweigelt, blaufränkisch, sankt laurent and merlot will forever change your perception of Austria as a white wine country. We have recently tasted wines from a small and ambitious producer called Artisan Wines, located in the town of Halbturn. The tasting was an excellent illustration of the great variety you find in Burgenland.

Burgenland is in easternmost Austria and borders Styria (Steiermark) in the south and Lower Austria (Niederösterreich) in the north. The region has just over 13,000 hectares and produces white, red and sweet wine. Austria in total has 48,000 ha of vineyards.

Hand-picked from 50-year-old vines planted on gravel, the 'reserve' Zweigelt was fermented in open vats, then matured in new and used barriques for 23 months.

A spiced nose of nutmeg, star anise, cocoa and vanilla, backed by sour cherry and prunes. The palate is concentrated, rich in sour cherry and blueberry fruits, spiced by black coffee and dark chocolate, with tea-like austerity.

Grape: 100% Zweigelt