This week we welcomed the Vin Divino Austrian wines into our portfolio. I was fully prepared to embrace an amazing collection of high-quality Gruner Veltliners, Rieslings and late-harvest wines (and I certainly wasn't disappointed. But perhaps the most amazing revelation for me was just how good the red wines were.The core of our new Austrian red wines are from the Zantho label. Zantho is a partnership between noted winemaker Josef Umathum and the growers' cooperative that's located in the town of Andau, not too far from the Hungarian border. Andau is situated within the Seewinkel region of Austria's Burgenland, one of the driest/warmest wine-growing regions within the country...ideal for red wine production. The name 'Zantho' pays homage to the small lizard of the same name that may be found throughout this region.
The Zweigelt grape is a genetic cross between Austrian's leading indigenous red varieties, Blaufrankisch and St. Laurent. Developed in 1922 by Dr. Franz Zweigelt at the Austrian Federal Institute for Viticulture, the Zweigelt grape has become the country's most-planted red variety. Dr. Zweigelt had originally named his grape Rotburger, but by 1975 the frequent confusion with the grape Rotberger (itself a cross of Riesling and Trollinger) led to the use of the Zweigelt name.
The 2008 Zantho Zweigelt is a textbook example of just how good Zweigelt can be. Lovers of fruit-forward Pinot Noirs or Gamays would be at home with this compelling wine. It is positively brimming with bright cherry and raspberry fruits, intermingled with notes of smoke, turned earth and rhubarb. Slightly spicy, the wine finishes with seamless, refined acidity and a touch of spice. I would suggest serving this wine slightly chilled, and it would pair with all manner of poultry, fish and game courses...especially those prepared with a bit of heat.
Item # 75704
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