{"product_id":"christina-zweigelt-2023","title":"Christina Zweigelt 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Land\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eZweigelt is Austria's most-planted red grape, and much of it gets made dark, sweet, and heavily oaked. This is the opposite. It comes from Carnuntum, a warm region east of Vienna where the vineyards run down toward the Danube, and specifically from the village of Gottlesbrunn, where the Netzl family has farmed since 1650. The climate is Pannonian, warm continental days that ripen the fruit fully, cooled at night by winds off the river that lock in acidity. The vines grow on loess, a fine wind-blown soil that gives Zweigelt its juicy, red-fruited character rather than heft.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Wine\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e100% Zweigelt from certified organic, estate-farmed vines on loess. The grapes are hand-harvested and destemmed into stainless steel, where a slow spontaneous fermentation runs on native yeast in the cool old cellar. Malolactic fermentation and four months of aging happen in large old oak vats, and the wine is bottled unfined, unfiltered, with only a small sulfur addition. The result is a light red with purple glints, juicy cherry and red berry aromas, soft, silky tannins, and a fresh finish. Serve it lightly chilled; this is a natural red built for drinking, not contemplation.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe People\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eChristina Netzl knew she wanted to be a winemaker by the age of five, growing up on her family's mixed farm in Gottlesbrunn. She studied enology, joined her parents at the winery in 2007, and after an eye-opening stint with a London wine importer came home determined to farm cleaner and make more natural wines. She and her husband began converting the vineyards to organic in 2013, earned certification a few years later, and built her own low-intervention range alongside the estate's classic bottlings. The playful labels are a tribute to the beneficial insects that live in her organically farmed vineyards, helping manage pests and build soil health.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFood Pairing\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eChill it slightly and pour it with casual, savory food. It shines next to a charcuterie board, roast pork, mushroom dumplings, or smoked trout, a Netzl family favorite. Its bright cherry fruit and soft tannin make it forgiving alongside picnic spreads and lighter meats, while the fresh acidity keeps it lively through a meal. It is as happy outdoors in summer as it is with Wiener schnitzel in winter.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Empire","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50578661867743,"sku":null,"price":22.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0439\/7436\/1248\/files\/P7250767.jpg?v=1785128999","url":"https:\/\/denverwinemerchant.com\/products\/christina-zweigelt-2023","provider":"Denver Wine Merchant","version":"1.0","type":"link"}