{"product_id":"austria-blauburger","title":"Blauburger (Neusiedlersee, Burgenland, Austria)","description":"\u003cp data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eABOUT TO ARRIVE\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/mywinestop.com\/blogs\/how-to-read-wine\/part-one\" title=\"How To Read Wine\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDriver:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/mywinestop.com\/collections\/by-grape\" title=\"By Grape\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGRAPE\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e | Process | Place | \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCrafted\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBlauburger\u003c\/strong\u003e is one of Austria’s lesser-known red grapes—and this wine comes from a vineyard Michael Opitz originally intended to remove.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe old parcel had numerous missing vines when Michael took it over from a retiring grower. Replanting the entire site seemed like the practical solution. Then he tasted his first vintage from it.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe wine convinced him to preserve the vineyard and replace only the missing plants.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBecause the parcel is small and its yields are low, Michael combined three vintages. The components were aged in old barriques, larger 600-liter barrels and a small amount of stainless steel—a combination designed to bring development and freshness together.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis is Blauburger shaped by an old vineyard, several harvests and a winemaker willing to change his plans after listening to the wine.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhy We Selected It\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWine Stop selected this Blauburger because it preserves something that could easily have disappeared.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMichael inherited an old, incomplete vineyard that would have been simpler to remove and replant. Instead, the first wine revealed enough depth, structure and character to justify saving it.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHe retained the established vines and carefully replanted the missing spaces—a slower, more labor-intensive decision that allows the original vineyard to continue while preparing it for the future.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe finished wine combines three vintages and three aging environments: old barriques, 600-liter barrels and stainless steel.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt is a wine built from preservation, patience and judgment rather than formula.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhy Try It?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBecause Blauburger fills the space between two better-known Austrian red grapes.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBlauburger is a crossing of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBlaufränkisch and Blauer Portugieser\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. It shares Blaufränkisch as a parent with Zweigelt, which was created by crossing Blaufränkisch with St. Laurent.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMichael describes his Blauburger as deeper than his Zweigelt and more fruit-forward than his Blaufränkisch.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThat makes it an excellent third step through his Austrian reds:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eZweigelt:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e supple and immediately approachable\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBlaufränkisch:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e fresh, defined and structured\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBlauburger:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e deeper, fruitier and more concentrated\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTaste the three grapes side by side and the differences become something you can recognize—not simply something you have read.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhy Buy It?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBecause this is a genuinely limited wine from a small, low-yielding vineyard that was almost replanted.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003e100% Blauburger\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGrown in an old vineyard near Lake Neusiedl\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePreserved after the first vintage demonstrated the parcel’s quality\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMissing vines replanted individually\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThree vintages combined\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAged in old barriques and 600-liter barrels\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA small portion retained in stainless steel\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLimited by the vineyard’s small size and low yield\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMade from one of Austria’s less familiar red grapes\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt offers both discovery and substance: a rare grape, an old parcel and a wine that exists because the vineyard proved it deserved to survive.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWine Term: ‘Old Vines’ and ‘Old Vineyards’\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e“Old vines” sounds precise, but it usually is not.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThere is no single international age at which a vine officially becomes old. Some producers may use the term for 25- or 30-year-old vines; others reserve it for vineyards that are 50, 75 or more than 100 years old.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAge alone does not guarantee quality. An old vine in the wrong location or in poor condition does not automatically produce better wine. What older vines can offer is an established root system, lower natural yields and greater consistency under difficult growing conditions.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e“Old vineyard” can be the more accurate description when a parcel contains vines of different ages. That is the case here. Michael preserved the established vineyard but replanted its missing spaces, so older vines now grow alongside younger replacements.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe vineyard is old. Not every vine within it is the same age.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhat matters is why Michael kept it: the wine demonstrated that the site and its surviving vines still had something worth preserving.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA Short Note on Michael Opitz\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWeingut Michael Opitz: No tricks. Just wine.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0713\/0336\/4743\/files\/manufacturer_weingut_michael_opitz_person_240x240.png?v=1790459829\" style=\"margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 20px; float: right;\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMichael Opitz established his winery in Austria’s Burgenland toward the end of the 2000s.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHe considers the estate’s relative youth an advantage. Without generations of inherited conventions dictating what must be planted or how each wine must be made, he is free to respond to the vineyard, the grape and the individual vintage.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHis motto—\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e“No tricks. Just wine.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e—summarizes that approach.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe vineyards are farmed organically, sustainably and with close attention to their natural conditions. Gravelly sedimentary soils and sites including Salzgründe, Hedwighof and Vierteljoch provide the foundation for wines made from varieties such as Muskat, the Pinot family, Zweigelt and Blaufränkisch.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe cellar work follows the same restrained philosophy. Fermentation, vessel and aging are chosen to preserve the identity of the grapes and vineyards—not to force every wine into one house style.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSome wines are made for relaxed evenings among friends. Others, such as Iris, demonstrate the estate’s more ambitious side. This Blauburger expresses another part of Michael’s philosophy: when an old vineyard proves its value, preserve it—even when replacement would be easier.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNo mythology. No cosmetic story added afterward.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNo tricks. Just wine.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCellar, Serving \u0026amp; Pairing\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDrink now or cellar for another 4–6 years.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eServe slightly cool. This will preserve freshness while allowing the wine’s depth and structure to emerge gradually in the glass.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA short decant is recommended, especially when the bottle is first released.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePair with:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRoast pork\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePork shoulder\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGrilled sausages\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBeef goulash\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBraised beef\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRoast duck\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLamb\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMushroom dishes\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLentils\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePaprika-seasoned dishes\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRoasted root vegetables\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAged or smoked cheeses\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCharcuterie\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWine Details\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eType of Wine:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Red Wine\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBrand:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Open \u0026amp; Enjoy\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eVintage:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Multi-Vintage\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRegion:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Burgenland\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCountry:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Austria\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGrape:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 100% Blauburger\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eVineyard:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Small, low-yielding old vineyard near Lake Neusiedl\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFarming:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Organic\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAging:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Old barriques, 600-liter barrels and a small portion in stainless steel\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eProduction:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Limited\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eStyle:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Deep, structured Austrian red\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBody:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Medium\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRecommended serving temperature:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 58–62°F \/ 14–17°C\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBest In:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/mywinestop.com\/products\/red-wine-glass-ab\" title=\"Broad-Bowl Glass\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBroad-Bowl Glass\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e | Every wine is shown in the glass we recommend for it. Hover over the image on desktop or tap the image on mobile to view the glass.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch6\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eDrink Better. Since 2016. Drink Responsibly. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.p65warnings.ca.gov\/products\/alcoholic-beverages\" title=\"65 Warning\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eProposition 65 Warning.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/h6\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/mywinestop.com\/blogs\/how-to-read-wine\/part-two\" title=\"How To Read Wine\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTaste First. Read Later.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch5 style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWine is meant to be discovered—not predicted.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003ch5 style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWe provide the information that helps you understand this wine: where it comes from, which grape was used, how it was made, its structure and why we selected it for Wine Stop.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003ch5 style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhat we do not publish before purchase is a list of suggested flavors.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003ch5 style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDescriptions involving fruits, flowers, herbs or spices can influence what you expect to experience. They can even cause someone to reject a wine before tasting it.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003ch5 style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWe want your first experience with this wine to belong to you.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003ch5 style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTaste it. Pay attention to its structure, texture and movement. Notice what it reminds you of. Form your own impressions before reading ours.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003ch5 style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWine Stop’s tasting notes are available on the wine’s product page, accessible through the QR code on the back label, so you can compare our impressions with your own.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003ch5 style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThere is no single correct answer. The purpose is not to identify the “right” fruit or spice, but to sharpen your senses, expand your palate and discover what the wine expresses to you.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003ch5 style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWe Guarantee the Quality. You Discover the Wine.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003ch5 style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEvery wine we sell has been selected for quality, authenticity and value, and we stand behind every bottle. If a wine is flawed or faulty, we will make it right. If it is sound but not to your taste, that is not a verdict on your palate—and it does not make the wine bad. It simply means that this particular wine is not for you, perhaps not tonight.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003ch5 style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWine Stop Tasting Note\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAlready tasted it? Now compare notes.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e(Alvaro's detailed tasting notes will be added after this wine arrives at our warehouse and has rested for a few days.)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/h5\u003e","brand":"Wine Stop Wine Shops \u0026 Tasting Bars","offers":[{"title":"750 ML \/ $0.10 included in listed price","offer_id":45946030850183,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0713\/0336\/4743\/files\/Terroir_3.jpg?v=1790455793","url":"https:\/\/mywinestop.com\/products\/austria-blauburger","provider":"Wine Stop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}