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Zweigelt
Zweigelt (more properly called Blauer Zweigelt - English blue Zweigelt) is a red wine grape variety developed in 1922, at the Federal Institute for Viticulture and Pomology at Klosterneuburg, Austria, by Fritz Zweigelt (who was later to become the director of this institute). It was a crossing of Blaufränkisch and St. Laurent. It is now the most widely-grown red grape variety in Austria, as well as having some presence in Canada's vineyards. Zweigelt is said to combine some of the best qualities of its parents: winter hardiness (resistance to frost), late bud-break, and early ripening. Zweigelt is also known as Rotburger (not to be confused with Rotberger), Klosterneuburg 71, and Zweigeltrebe.
Because of the popularity of this grape in Austria, Zweigelt wine is very widespread there, and there are limited plantings in Hungary. In the Czech Republich it is known as Zweigeltrebe and is grown in about 4,7% of the vineyards' area. Recently Zweigelt has been planted in newly established Belgian vineyards as well. At its best, it combines the bite and fruity character of the Blaufränkisch grape and the body of St. Laurent. Because of its fruity characteristics, it has been compared to the wines produced from the Gamay grape, like the red wines of Beaujolais.
Zweigelt (more properly called Blauer Zweigelt - English blue Zweigelt) is a red wine grape variety developed in 1922, at the Federal Institute for Viticulture and Pomology at Klosterneuburg, Austria, by Fritz Zweigelt (who was later to become the director of this institute). It was a crossing of Blaufränkisch and St. Laurent. It is now the most widely-grown red grape variety in Austria, as well as having some presence in Canada's vineyards. Zweigelt is said to combine some of the best qualities of its parents: winter hardiness (resistance to frost), late bud-break, and early ripening. Zweigelt is also known as Rotburger (not to be confused with Rotberger), Klosterneuburg 71, and Zweigeltrebe.
Because of the popularity of this grape in Austria, Zweigelt wine is very widespread there, and there are limited plantings in Hungary. In the Czech Republich it is known as Zweigeltrebe and is grown in about 4,7% of the vineyards' area. Recently Zweigelt has been planted in newly established Belgian vineyards as well. At its best, it combines the bite and fruity character of the Blaufränkisch grape and the body of St. Laurent. Because of its fruity characteristics, it has been compared to the wines produced from the Gamay grape, like the red wines of Beaujolais.
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But it can be a deceiving wine, lending itself to producing red wines of a tighter style, and at once much heavier, full structured red wines. If the body of the wine is full, it can be age-worthy and serious, although much Zweigelt is drunk young. The nature of the variety in exhibited in juicy red fruit, snappy acid and a marked whiff of fragrant white pepper. Particularly in its lighter coat, it suits a very wide range of foods and cheeses.
Jancis Robinson, British wine writer and editor of The Oxford Companion to Wine, writes: The export fortunes of the variety may, oddly enough, be hampered by its originator's uncompromisingly Germanic surname. If only he had been called Dr Pinot Noir!
Jancis Robinson, British wine writer and editor of The Oxford Companion to Wine, writes: The export fortunes of the variety may, oddly enough, be hampered by its originator's uncompromisingly Germanic surname. If only he had been called Dr Pinot Noir!
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