Zweigelt: Austria's most planted red grape
Zweigelt is the grape behind the juicy, cherry-red side of Austrian wine. It was crossed in 1922 at the viticulture school in Klosterneuburg, just outside Vienna, where Fritz Zweigelt was in charge, and its parents are two classic Austrian varieties: St. Laurent and Blaufränkisch. From St. Laurent it takes soft, dark fruit; from Blaufränkisch, freshness and a hint of spice. For decades it was called Rotburger before it was renamed after its breeder. Labels often say Blauer Zweigelt, which is exactly the same grape.
Zweigelt ripens earlier than Blaufränkisch, crops reliably and is at home both on the warm plains around Lake Neusiedl in Burgenland and in cooler Lower Austria (Niederösterreich). Beyond Austria it is planted in Hungary, the Czech Republic, Germany, Canada and Japan.
What Zweigelt red wine tastes like
A classic Zweigelt is deep ruby with aromas of sour cherry, raspberry and plum, often with a light peppery note. Tannins are soft, acidity is fresh and the body sits between light and medium, somewhere between Beaujolais and a light Pinot Noir. It is a red wine to drink young and slightly cool, around 14 to 16 degrees Celsius.
For the grape on its own, start with Weingut Steininger's Zweigelt from Lower Austria. It shows the variety's cherry fruit and gentle grip without much make-up.
Zweigelt blends: Pannobile and the cuvées of Burgenland
Zweigelt is a natural blending partner, and this page includes the blends. Around the village of Gols on Lake Neusiedl, a group of growers works together under the name Pannobile, making red cuvées from the region's own grapes, typically Zweigelt, Blaufränkisch and St. Laurent. Claus Preisinger's Pannobile is a good example, and his Heideboden shows the same idea with Merlot in the mix.
Judith Beck's Out pairs Zweigelt with Blaufränkisch, and Klaus Reimitz's red cuvées build on the same family with St. Laurent or Merlot. Moric Hausmarke Rot from Roland Velich adds Merlot and Pinot Noir to Zweigelt and Blaufränkisch, while Andert Wein's Personalegetränk combines Zweigelt with Cabernet Sauvignon, St. Laurent and a splash of Welschriesling. What links them is the bright, juicy fruit Zweigelt brings to a blend.
Zweigelt rosé and orange wine
As a rosé wine, Zweigelt is an obvious choice: pale, crisp and full of red berries. Matthias Hager makes a sparkling Pet Nat Zweigelt Rosé, Maria & Sepp Muster in Styria blend the grape with Blauer Wildbacher and Blaufränkisch in their Rosé vom Opok, and Proidl's Mercaz Rosé combines it with Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. For something more adventurous there is Judith Beck's Koreaa, an orange wine in which Zweigelt joins a group of white grapes.
Food pairing with Zweigelt
Soft tannins and fresh acidity make Zweigelt an easy wine at the table. Serve it with Wiener schnitzel, roast chicken, pork tenderloin, sausages and charcuterie, or a proper goulash. A fuller cuvée such as Pannobile can handle duck, game and aged cheese. The rosé and the Pet Nat are good with salmon, salads and summer snacks.
Zweigelt FAQ
What kind of grape is Zweigelt?
A red Austrian grape, crossed in 1922 at Klosterneuburg from St. Laurent and Blaufränkisch. It makes fruity, supple red wines with cherry and light spice.
Is Blauer Zweigelt the same as Zweigelt?
Yes. Blauer Zweigelt is the grape's full name and Rotburger its old name. All three refer to the same variety.
Is Zweigelt a light or full-bodied red wine?
Most Zweigelt is light to medium-bodied, with soft tannins. Oak-aged versions and blends with Blaufränkisch are fuller and can age for several years.
Is there Zweigelt rosé?
Yes, and it is very popular in Austria. Zweigelt gives crisp, berry-scented rosé and is also used for sparkling Pet Nat.
Where does the best Zweigelt come from?
The best-known wines come from Burgenland around Lake Neusiedl, where the Neusiedlersee DAC appellation is built around Zweigelt, and from Lower Austria, including Carnuntum and the Weinviertel.