2010 Sepp Moser Zweigelt

Budget Wine: 2010 Sepp Moser Zweigelt Region: Burgenland, Austria Average Price: $15 A delicious, fresh and fruity, unoaked, Austrian red wine, made from the local Zweigelt grape. Austrian Zweigelt has to be one of the best value wine finds on the market. Every time I pour this wine for a class, my students always put it at a much higher price point, and are so surprised to find that it retails for less than $15 per bottle. Sepp Moser Zweigelt has a vibrant ruby color and a deliciously fruity nose, is packed with aromas of bright cherry-berry fruit, mixed spices and, despite the fruitiness a subtle savory earthiness. Unoaked, it is crisp, fresh and youthful on the palate. Brimming with flavor it has a juicy, lively texture. Light-to-medium bodied, tannins are supple and the length moderate with a sprightly fruity finish. Pairs With: This wine is so juicy and refreshing that it can easily be sipped on its own as an apéritif or enjoyed with simple nibbles. At the table the bright acidity makes it very versatile. Though lightish in body, the acidity can cut through fairly rich or fatty dishes. Some of my favorite pairings are veal scaloppini, grilled salmon, pork loin or a sauté of wild mushrooms, which really brings out the savory element in the wine. Also good with semi-hard cheeses like Emmental, Edam or Comté. About Zweigelt and Sepp Moser Zweigelt is Austria's most planted black grape variety. It is a fairly easy, accommodating variety to cultivate, a characteristic that has earned Zweigelt the pet name 'Cocker Spaniel' because it is such a lovable grape! It is actually a crossing of two other Austrian Grape varieties, namely Blaufränkish and St. Laurent. Widely planted all over Austria, especially in Burgenland and in the southern parts of Lower Austria. Sepp Moser, is a highly regarded Austrian wine producer. Though the Sepp Moser Estate was only established in 1987, the Moser Family has been cultivating grapes since the mid 1800's. Sepp Moser estate is now run by founder Sepp's son Nikolaus, and it was one of the first Austrian wine estates to fully convert to biodynamic viticulture practices. Mary Gorman-McAdams, MW (Master of Wine), is a New York based wine educator, freelance writer and consultant.