Familie Reinisch Zweigelt 2023

Zweigelt is the grape variety used in this smooth and silky Austrian red. While it might not be all that familiar a name it's, in fact, the most widely planted red grape in Austria and is named after plant breeder Dr. Zweigelt who created it as a crossing of Blaufränkish and St. Laurent in the 1920s. The grapes are typically harvested in September and, after fermentation, aged in large oak barrels for 10 months prior to bottling. The result is an excellent soft, rounded and fruity which is really approachable with red with ripe cherry and plum flavours, smooth tannins, good acid backbone and a lengthy finish.

Its easy going character and ripe flavours make it great with things like veal, venison or game dishes and also nutty hard cheeses.

Familie Reinisch is located in the town of Tattendorf, in the wine-growing area of the Thermenregion in Lower Austria. The region acquired its name, in part, from geothermal hot springs that flow under the vineyards, contributing to favourable wine growing conditions for finicky varieties. Now onto the fourth generation, the 40-hectare estate is run by Johann Reinisch's three sons: Hannes, Michael and Christian. The winery is best known for its excellent Pinot Noir and St. Laurent grown in vineyards from both the stony, alluvial gravel soils of Tattendorf (rich in both chalk and lime) near the winery and the elevated, nutrient rich soils of Gumpoldskirchen. Local grape varieties and traditions are hugely important here as the family has its own vine nursery; the indigenous grape varieties Rotgipfler and Zierfandler are cultivated in their Gumpoldskirchen vineyards, for example. There's very little of these two indigenous white varieties planted anywhere else in the world, making the Reinisch’s offerings an unusual and unique glimpse into Austria’s wine roots. The Reinisch family farms organically and takes its thoughtful approach all the way from vineyard, to cellar, to bottle.