Zweigelt is a red grape variety from Austria where it makes red-fruited, peppery wines at every quality level.
Zweigelt brims with red and dark cherry and berry fruit aromas and can have an enticing peppery edge. Its tannin structure is soft and supple. This, paired with its vibrant fruitiness, often destines it for easy-drinking, unoaked reds but in the right hands the grape variety is also capable of complexity and age worthiness. Zweigelt also makes great base wine for rosé sparkling wines.
Zweigelt is the offspring of Blaufränkisch and Sankt Laurent, a crossing made in 1922 by Dr Fritz Zweigelt at the viticultural school of Klosterneuburg, Austria.
Zweigelt is Austria’s most planted red grape variety and thrives across the country. There are minor plantings in Germany, Slovakia, Hungary, Canada, and Japan.
Before it was renamed Zweigelt, the grape was known as Rotburger and languished in an almost forgotten vineyard. Today there is some controversy about the name, due to Dr Zweigelt’s questionable conduct in Nazi Austria.
This grape variety is also known by the name of:
Bauer Zweigelrebe, Blauer Montag, Blauer Zweigelt/Rotburger, Blauerzweigelt, Blauer Zweigelt, Negru de Zweigelt, Rotburger, Zweigelt Blau, Zweigeltrebe
