Zweigelt

Zweigelt is a dry, light to medium-bodied red from Austria, packed with juicy cherry, raspberry and plum, often with a little pepper and spice. Fresh, fruity and easy to drink, it's a great match for roast chicken, pork, sausages, burgers, pizza and charcuterie – and it's one of those reds that's pretty happy being served slightly chilled.

Taste:

Think juicy red fruit with a fresh, spicy edge.

Zweigelt is usually dry and light to medium-bodied, with lively acidity, soft to moderate tannins and plenty of cherry, raspberry, red plum and blackberry. Depending on the bottle, you might also pick up violet, black pepper, herbs and subtle earthy flavours.

Lighter styles are all about fresh, crunchy fruit, while richer or oak-aged Zweigelt can bring darker fruit, spice and a little more structure.

It's approachable without being boring – the sort of red that's dangerously easy to pour another glass of.

Food Pairings:

Zweigelt's freshness makes it seriously versatile when dinner rolls around.

Try it with roast chicken, grilled chicken, pork chops, roast pork, sausages, burgers, meatballs or a charcuterie board loaded with cured meats and cheese.

It's also a great pizza wine, particularly with pepperoni, sausage, mushroom, prosciutto or a classic Margherita. Tomato-based pasta dishes such as spaghetti bolognese, lasagne and beef ragù work well too.

For something meat-free, pair it with mushroom pasta, mushroom risotto, lentils, roasted vegetables or grilled aubergine.

Zweigelt also works surprisingly well with BBQ food. Think grilled sausages, pork, burgers or smoky vegetables rather than the heaviest, sweetest barbecue sauces.

Similar Wines:

If you enjoy Zweigelt, Gamay and Beaujolais are great places to go next for similarly juicy fruit, fresh acidity and easy-drinking charm.

Pinot Noir is worth exploring if you prefer the lighter, more elegant side of Zweigelt, while Lemberger – also known as Blaufränkisch – offers more spice, tannin and structure while keeping things Austrian.

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More About Zweigelt:

Zweigelt is Austria's most widely planted red grape and was created in 1922 by crossing two Austrian varieties: Blaufränkisch and St. Laurent.

Today you'll find it across the country, particularly in regions including Niederösterreich and Burgenland. It can produce everything from light, fruity reds designed to be enjoyed young to richer wines matured in oak.

And while Austria might be better known internationally for its white wines, particularly Grüner Veltliner and Riesling, Zweigelt is a very good reason not to skip straight past the reds.