Zweigelt (Neusiedlersee, Burgenland, Austria)

ON THE WAY

Driver: GRAPE | Process | Place | Crafted

Open & Enjoy is an Austrian red that introduces Zweigelt without complication.

Made entirely from Austria’s most widely planted red grape, it combines moderate body, fresh acidity and soft tannins in a wine that can be served slightly cool and enjoyed without extended aging.

The wine was spontaneously fermented in stainless steel, remained on its skins for two weeks and was then aged for 14 months in large 1,000- and 2,000-liter Austrian oak barrels.

This is why we place it under By Grape. Zweigelt is the center of the experience: approachable, distinctly Austrian and ready to become part of your everyday red-wine vocabulary.

Why We Selected It

Wine Stop selected Open & Enjoy because it presents Zweigelt clearly and honestly.

At 11.5% alcohol, the wine achieves structure without relying on weight. Its nearly complete fermentation leaves only 0.1 g/L of residual sugar, while fresh acidity and soft tannins keep the wine balanced and easy to drink.

Spontaneous fermentation and 14 months in large Austrian oak give the wine time and room to develop without turning oak flavor into its defining feature.

It is also made from certified-organic grapes and is suitable for vegans.

Why Try It?

Because Zweigelt is the natural starting point for discovering Austrian red wine.

It offers enough structure to feel like a complete red while remaining fresh, supple and versatile. It does not require a heavy meal, years in the cellar or previous knowledge of Austrian wine.

Serve it slightly cool and pay attention to the balance between acidity, texture and tannin.

This is an uncomplicated introduction to a grape worth remembering.

Why Buy It?

Because Simply Pure is a flexible, food-friendly red that can fill several roles.

Open it for a casual dinner, serve it slightly chilled when a heavier red would feel excessive or bring it to the table when different dishes need one adaptable wine.

• 100% Zweigelt
• Certified organic
• Suitable for vegans
• Spontaneously fermented
• Two weeks on the skins
• Aged 14 months in large Austrian oak barrels
• Only 11.5% alcohol
• Fermented virtually dry

It is a useful everyday red with a distinctly Austrian identity.

Wine Term: ‘Burgenland’

Burgenland is Austria’s easternmost federal state and its most important region for red wine.

It stretches along the Hungarian border and surrounds Lake Neusiedl, whose large, shallow body of water helps moderate the local climate.

Compared with Austria’s cooler white-wine regions, Burgenland generally receives more warmth and sunshine. These conditions allow red grapes such as Zweigelt, Blaufränkisch and St. Laurent to ripen successfully while retaining the acidity that gives Austrian reds their freshness.

Burgenland is a broad geographical origin rather than one single vineyard or narrowly defined wine style. Within it are several distinct wine-growing areas, soils and local traditions.

Michael Opitz is based in Apetlon, on the eastern side of Lake Neusiedl.

A Short Note on Austrian Red Wine

Austria is internationally identified with white wine—especially Grüner Veltliner and Riesling—but the country also has a distinctive red-wine culture.

Its principal red grapes include Zweigelt, Blaufränkisch and St. Laurent. Rather than depending on high alcohol or heavy extraction, many Austrian reds are defined by freshness, moderate body and their ability to work at the table.

Zweigelt is Austria’s most widely planted red grape. It was created in 1922 by crossing Blaufränkisch with St. Laurent and was originally known by the name Rotburger.

The grape combines useful qualities from both parents: the freshness and structure associated with Blaufränkisch and the softer texture associated with St. Laurent.

Its importance is not that it imitates another country’s red wine. Zweigelt gives Austria an accessible red-wine identity of its own.

Cellar, Serving & Pairing

Drink now or cellar for another 3–5 years.

Serve slightly cool. Its moderate alcohol, fresh acidity and soft tannins make it especially well suited to temperatures below conventional room temperature.

A brief chill in the refrigerator before serving will help preserve freshness and definition.

Pair with:

• Roast chicken
• Pork
• Schnitzel
• Sausages
• Burgers
• Charcuterie
• Lentils
• Mushroom dishes
• Tomato-based pasta
• Roasted vegetables
• Mild cheeses
• Grilled salmon

Wine Details

Type of Wine: Red Wine
Brand Name: Open & Enjoy
Producer: Weingut Michael Opitz
Vintage: 2022
Region: Burgenland
Country: Austria
Grape: 100% Zweigelt
Alcohol: 11.5%
Total Acidity: 5.1 g/L
Residual Sugar: 0.1 g/L (0.075 g/bottle)
Fermentation: Spontaneous fermentation in stainless steel; two weeks on the skins
Oak: 14 months in 1,000- and 2,000-liter Austrian oak barrels
Farming: Certified Organic
Vegan: Yes
Style: Fresh, supple red
Body: Medium-light

Recommended serving temperature: 55–60°F / 13–16°C

Best In: Broad-Bowl Glass | 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.

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Taste First. Read Later.

Wine is meant to be discovered—not predicted.

We 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.

What we do not publish before purchase is a list of suggested flavors.

Descriptions 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.

We want your first experience with this wine to belong to you.

Taste it. Pay attention to its structure, texture and movement. Notice what it reminds you of. Form your own impressions before reading ours.

Wine 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.

There 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.

We Guarantee the Quality. You Discover the Wine.

Every 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.

Wine Stop Tasting Note
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(Alvaro's detailed tasting notes will be added after this wine arrives at our warehouse and has rested for a few days.)