2017 Heinrich Zweigelt, Austria

Region - Burgenland, Austria

Vintage - 2017

Grape Variety - Zweigelt

Viticulture - he grapes are sourced from vineyards across the Heinrich estate: flat, humusrich plots in the Heideboden; gravelly sites on the Parndorfer Plain; and limestone and schist slopes of the Leitha Mountains. There is a range of climates in Leithaberg it is continental with bright sunny days and a high diurnal variation. On the plains the climate is warm and gentle influenced by Lake Neusied.

Viticulture is biodynamic. Heinrich believe that their soil is the foundation for healthy vines and that a biologically diverse environment and a thriving ecosystem is key to this. They have planted shrubs, bushes and fruit trees in the vineyards to provide a habitat for beneficial fauna. Vineyards are worked by hand.

Winemaking - After hand-picking fermentation is with indigenous yeasts in wooden vats and steel tanks. The wine spends two weeks macerating on skins post fermentation. The wine is then aged for 13 months in old wooden vats and 500 litre oak barrels. It is bottled without filtration and with a small amount of sulphur.

Biodynamic / Vegan

Tasting Note - Sour cherry on the nose with raspberry, liquorice, mint and clove. Blackcurrant and bitter chocolate on the palate with soft ripe tannins and a juicy finish.