30 Second Wine AdvisorPrint Friendly Format: No oxymoron: Austrian red

This article was published in The 30 Second Wine Advisor on Friday, Oct. 19, 2012 and can be found at http://www.wineloverspage.com/wineadvisor2/tswa20121019.php.

No oxymoron: Austrian red

An oxymoron, for those in need of brushing up, is a figure of speech that unites two things that don't seem to go together. "Jumbo shrimp," for instance; or "a plastic glass." Language geeks may be delighted to know that "oxymoron" is a Greek word that means, well, "sharp dull," a word that contains an example of itself.

There are all sorts of oxymorons in the world of wine. Some might argue that even "White Zinfandel" makes the cut. For purposes of today's discussion, though, let's look at "Austrian red," a seeming oxymoron for this wine region that doesn't take up a huge amount of shelf space in most wine shops, and that devotes the lion's share of that limited space to its excellent whites, primarily Grüner Veltliner plus a good ration of Riesling.

The marketplace warps reality to some extent, as Austria's wine production actually breaks out about 70 percent white and 30 percent red, a substantial difference still, but hardly one that places the reds in rarity territory. But the whites get more critical and media attention, and I would guess that the balance in U.S. imports is more like 90 to 10.

Still, the reds - a bit of the familiar Pinot Noir and the less well-known Blaufränkisch, Blauer Portugieser, Sankt Laurent and the subject of today's attention, Zweigelt - are well worth exploring and, in spite of their oxymoronic nature, not impossible to find.

Zweigelt (pronounced "Tsvy-gelt") is a relatively modern cross between Blaufränkish and Sankt Laurent, named after Dr. Friedrich Zweigelt, the grape scientist who developed it in 1922. It was designed for commercial wine, with a relatively short growing season - late to blossom in spring, early to ripen for harvest - which enables it to thrive even in marginal climates where frost comes early in autumn and stays late in the spring. (It's no coincidence that Zweigelt is also grown in Ontario, Canada, and New York's Finger Lakes region.)

Today's tasting, Huber 2009 Austria Zweigelt, is a good example of the grape's character, showing good red-fruit aromas and flavors enhanced by nuances of white pepper and stony minerality. You'll find my tasting report below.

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Today's Tasting Report

Huber 2009 Austria Zweigelt ($15.99)

Dark garnet in color, this Austrian red offers delicious aromas in the style of cool-climate reds: red-berry and cherry fruit on the nose. Good, dry flavor, red berries and subtle white pepper and an intriguing rainwater-over-rocks minerality, shaped by tart acidity and a buzz of perceptible but approachable tannic astringency in the finish. Fresh, dry and tart, food-friendly with just 12.5% alcohol, it invites comparisons with a Loire Chinon, but it's really its own thing, Austrian Zweigelt, and that's good. U.S. importer: Circo Vino, Bensenville, Ill. (Oct. 6, 2012)

FOOD MATCH: Best with lighter-style red-wine pairings, roast chicken or pork, or a meatless option like our choice, a Northeastern Italian cabbage risotto with plenty of browned onions to bring it up to a red.

WHEN TO DRINK: Ready to drink, not a cellar keeper meant for long-term evolution, but assuming good cool storate, I don't see it going around the bend in the next few years.

VALUE: A decent value at this price, which isn't far above the $14 average price reported by vendors on Wine-Searcher.com.

PRONUNCIATION:
Zweigelt = "TSVY-gelt"

WEB LINK:
Here's a link to the winery's English-language fact sheet on the 2009 Zweigelt. For the importer's info page on Markus Huber winery, click here.

FIND THIS WINE ONLINE:
Look for vendors and compare prices for Huber Zweigelt on Wine-Searcher.com. For additional source information, you'll find an international list of distributors on the winery website.

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