Zweigelt hits the big time

Stuart Pigott's tasting results on www.jamessuckling.com are a sensation: for the first time, the Zweigelt variety asserted itself in the absolute top field with no less than nine ratings between 91 and 94 points. What they all have in common is their origin: Carnuntum in the east of Austria. 

Zweigelt is the most cultivated red variety in Austria, at just over 6,000 hectares (equating to 13.6% of Austria's total vineyard area), but the highest honours have rarely been bestowed upon Blauer Zweigelt. However, in many areas of Austria, this crossing of Blaufränkisch and St. Laurent is also not treated with the same ambition and respect as in Carnuntum, where prime sites, old vines and sensitive vinification provide convincing proof of the variety’s potential.   

94 points for Gerhard Markowitsch

The Markowitsch Zweigelt Ried Kirchweingarten 2021 1ÖTW from the acclaimed Göttlesbrunn winemaker moved critic Stuart Pigott to hymns of praise and a sensational 94 points. He describes it as achieving "greatness thanks to its rare aromatic complexity and silkiness”, adding that it has very good aging potential. The 1.2-hectare ÖTW Erste Lage (Premier Cru), located right under the Höflein church, offers perfect conditions for an exceptional Zweigelt due to its slightly sloping, south-western exposure and its high clay content. 

Julia Harding MW from jancisrobinson.com confirms with her assessment that the Zweigelt Ried Kirchweingarten 2021 1ÖTW is a "fabulous" representative of the variety. Markowitsch's wine is awarded 18 out of 20 points and Harding describes it as "all elegance and finesse". 

Perfect partner

In addition to Carnuntum’s single-varietal Zweigelt wines, cuvées with Zweigelt participation also shone, with a total of seven receiving outstanding ratings. And here, too, it is Gerhard Markowitsch who provides the best rated wine with 94 points for the Ried Rosenberg 2021 1ÖTW. Stuart Pigott describes the cuvée of Zweigelt (55%), Merlot (30%) and Blaufränkisch (15%) as "full-bodied yet elegant and agile".  

Carnuntum and Zweigelt – a success story

Throughout Austria, Zweigelt ranks first in terms of red wine vineyard area. In Carnuntum, too, Zweigelt is the most planted grape variety. Rotburger, as the home-grown variety is also called, began its triumphal march in the 1970s. In 1985 it finally replaced Blauer Portugieser (known as Português Azul in Portugal) in first place as Austria's most planted red grape variety. 

The success, tradition and identity of the Carnuntum wine region are closely linked to the Zweigelt variety. As pioneers and visionaries, the Rubin Carnuntum association, founded in 1992, accompanied Zweigelt’s rise to an internationally sought-after grape variety. Today, every sixth red wine bottle from Carnuntum is a Rubin Carnuntum and thus a Zweigelt typical of the region. It is considered the calling card of the region, and Carnuntum Zweigelt is also an export hit that is particularly popular with Austria’s neighbours, Germany and Switzerland.  

Until the 2000s, Zweigelt was predominantly considered a cuvée partner and its main USP was its high yield. To help change that image and realise the potential of the grape variety in the region, a separate Zweigelt working group was founded in Carnuntum in 2006. Part of the new awareness of Zweigelt was to vinify it as a single variety, vinify old vines separately and test different vinification methods. Above all, the group tasted, judged and discussed a lot together.    

"The collaboration between all the Rubin wineries and the common search for excellence have given us a lot of impetus as a territory and motivated us to take on whole new ventures", explains Gerhard Markowitsch.  

The trend towards fresher wines, cooler aromas and individual expression in red wines was recognised by the "Zweigelt whisperers" from Carnuntum before it became an international trend. As an early ripening variety, Zweigelt finds the best conditions in the continental climate of Carnuntum and therefore scores with a special liveliness, complex expression and "pithy" style. In all stages of its development and maturation, Zweigelt from Carnuntum knows how to surprise and shows it also has potential when it comes to ageing. When it comes to food pairing, it is considered an all-rounder, matching everything from Italian classics to game. Slightly chilled, it comes into its own in barbecue season, and mature Zweigelt even goes well with fish dishes thanks to its silky tannins and freshness. No matter which Zweigelt from Carnuntum you choose, two things are always guaranteed: drinking pleasure and a great price-performance ratio.  

Star performer 

With the latest Suckling ratings, Zweigelt, long considered a hidden talent, has made the leap onto the main wine stage and can thus be described as a star performer - both as a solo artist and in duet with other grape varieties in the form of cuvées. Last, but not least, this once again confirms Austria's march towards being a promising red wine nation.  

Media contact: 

Wine+Partners

Bettina Bäck, +43 664 1507282, [email protected]  

Casiana Sirbu, +43 660 1129867, [email protected]