Varietal Character
Zweigelt
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Appellations Growing Zweigelt Grapes
Appellations producing the most Zweigelt wines:
Zweigelt Grape Details
Zweigelt (aka. Blauer Zweigelt, Klosterneuburg 71, Rotburger, Zweigeltrebe)
This relatively recent cross of St-Laurent with Blaufrankisch displays the body and acidic nature of these parents respectively. Widely grown in Austria, where it was developed and is now that country’s most popular dark-skinned grape, Zweigelt ripens earlier than Blaufrankisch, but buds later than St. Laurent. This combination produces liberal yields. Zweigelt is said to be amongst the most cold-hardy (vinifera) varieties and its ability to create good red wines with some aging ability is catching the attention of cold climate growers outside of Eastern Europe. The grape is also gaining popularity in Canada. The winery on Pelee Island, Ontario blends it with Gamay and at least one producer in Nova Scotia has faith in the variety to produce deeply pigmented full bodied reds.
