Spotlight on Austria: Red Wine Varieties
We continue the Wines of the World Series with a spotlight on Austria, exploring key regions and styles with resources from Austrian Wine, who have generously agreed to share their content with the Berlin Wine School community. In this post, we'll focus on signature red grape varieties. 📖Key facts:
There are 14 red grape varieties (and 28 white varieties) permitted for the production of Qualitätswein, Prädikatswein, and Landwein.*
The proportion of red wine grapes has doubled over the past two decades, and now represents one third of Austria’s total area under vine (13, 363 out of 44,210 ha).*
Both international and local varieties are grown.
Cross-cultivation has a long tradition.
Austrian red wines are known for their delicate varietal typicity and refreshing, light character.
The top 5 most planted red varieties: Zweigelt, Blaufränkisch, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Sankt Laurent.
Other indigenous varieties to remember: Blauer Wildbacher, Blauer Portugieser, Blauburger, and Roesler (the latter two often blended).
🌱Zweigelt:
Created in the 1920's by Professor Fritz Zweigelt as a crossing between Blaufränkisch and Sankt Laurent.
It became widely planted after the World War II.
13.44% (5,940 ha) of total area under wine*, grown in all Austrian regions.
A mid-ripening variety, not demanding in terms of soil, but requires extensive pruning and yield management due to its high fertility.
It produces a wide range of styles - from young to oak-matured, varietal blends and even rosé wines.
Young, fruity, low-alcohol content Zweigelt wines are popular and are often paired with Austrian cuisine.
Fully ripe grapes produce full-bodied wines with aromas of morello cherry, round, velvety tannins, and good longevity.
Premium Zweigelt wines come from Carnuntum and the Lake Neusiedl area.
A searchable list of Austrian Zweigelt wines can be found here.
🌱Blaufränkisch:
Traditional Austrian variety, also wide-spread in Central Europe.
Origins date back to the 18th century, probably a cross between Sbulzina and Weißer Heunisch.
Later evidence found in Germany, where referred to as “Lemberger” or “Limberger.
5.77% (2,550ha) of total area under wine.*
Primarily grown in Burgenland (Mittelburgenland in particular) as well as in the eastern Niederösterreich (Carnuntum).
A late-ripening variety sensitive to where it grows.
Wines display profound notes of wild berries or cherries, and high acidity.
Both light and refreshing and complex "Reserve", aged wines with dense structure and prominent tannins, and good aging potential are produced.
Blaufränkisch was used as a crossing partner for new Austrian varieties like Zweigelt, Blauburger, and Roesler.
A searchable list of Austrian Blaufränkisch wines can be found here.
🌱Sankt Laurent:
It belongs to the Pinot family – natural Burgunder seedling (not a crossing).
1.33% (587.75 ha) of total area under vine.*
It is considered a quality variety and experiences a revival in all Austrian wine-producing regions.
It is mainly produce in Niederösterreich (Thermenregion) and northern Burgenland.
It is mid-ripening and considered challenging to grow. It produces low, irregular yields, needs soils in which it can root deeply, is sensitive during flowering and susceptible to late frosts.
It produces dark, dense, and fruity red wines with good acidity and aromas of morello cherry. These wines are high quality and have potential to age.
A searchable list of Austrian Sankt Laurent wines can be found here.
*As of 2023/2024 Austria Wine Statistics Report.
🔎Did you know?
Zweigelt is called Rotburger in certain Austrian regions.
Blaufränkisch was very popular and widely-planted during the Habsburg Monarchy period.
Due to the importance Blaufränkisch' importance in Mittelburgenland, the region is called “Blaufränkischland”.
In Hungary, Blaufränkisch is called “Kékfrankos”.
The Teaching and Research Centre for Viticulture and Horticulture (LFZ) in Klosterneuburg is where Zweigelt and other Austrian crossings were created. It remains an important place for research and Austrian viticulture in general.
Sankt Laurent was named after St. Lawrence’s Day – the 10th of August – the day on which the grapes traditionally begin to change colour.
🎓Learn more:
Discover all 14 Austrian red varieties with this overview.
Access this interactive dashboard for Austrian wine region snippets.
Discover Austrian wine producers.
Read more about Zweigelt.
Read more about Blaufränkisch.
Read more about Sankt Laurent.
💬Share your thoughts!
Have you ever tried any of the Austrian autochthonous red varieties? How would you describe premium red wines from Zweigelt? How would you compare St. Laurent to Pinot Noir? Have you ever participated in a Blaufränkish tasting comparing wines from different central-European countries? Where in Berlin can you try Austrian wines? Share your thoughts!
Up next: Spotlight on Niederösterreich.
All resources, maps, images and data courtesy of Austrian Wine.