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Variety:
Plantscher
Zweigelt
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Austria 
Switzerland 
Plantscher - Zweigelt
Plantscher, also known as Bordeaux Blanc or Gros Bourgogne, is a very rare grape despite having an impressive and much admired offspring in Hungarian Furmint. This has led to the suggestion that it may originate from Hungary rather than France as the synonyms may suggest.
Plantscher is only grown in Switzerland and only grown there in the region of Valais. Not only that, it is only found in one vineyard cultivated by the saviour of so many ultra-rare varieties - Josef-Marie Chanton. Of course his son, Mario, has now succeeded his father at Chanton and continues his legacy with just 0.75 hectares of this ultra-rare grape.
The wines are soft with floral notes, chamomile and honeysuckle They have s moderate acidity as preferred by the Swiss.
According to recent genetic research by Dr. José Vouillamoz, Plantscher has Furmint as a parent and is a grandchild of the prolific Gwäss. The name Plantscher comes from either an older Romanesque dialect word "blâtsyer", or from the French "blanchier" meaning white.
What we call Plantscher is a large grape with whitish berries and a good yield. In order to produce good quality the yield must be very limited. It is described as a more authentic, more resistant Bergler. Rather restrained in youth, broad finish with mineral notes.
Given the relationship with Furmint it is possible that Plantscher originated in Hungary, although we do not know this for certain.
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Zweigelt Classic Franz / Christine Netzl
Our reference for Zweigelt - taste the fruit.Out of stock
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Rubin Carnuntum Franz / Christine Netzl
A delicious Zweigelt, more complex than the Zweigelt Classic -
Plantscher Chanton Wein
Plantscher is a descendent of Furmint. This is an aromatic wine mostly enjoyed with cheese. -
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Blauer Zweigelt Weingut Breitenfelder
One of our coolest ZweigeltOut of stock
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Zweigelt "Fasangarten" Weingut Christian Fischer
Single vineyard Zweigelt, delicious summer red with mineralityOut of stock
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Rubin Carnuntum Markowitsch
Out of stock
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Patronis Stift Klosterneuberg
Created for the 900th anniversary of the Klosterneuburg Monastery Winery.Out of stock
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Zweigelt Profundo Selektion Karlsberg Hofkellerei des Fürsten von Liechtenstein
Bold oaked Zweigelt.Out of stock
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Gradenthal Weingut Christian Fischer
Out of stock
What to Expect
The wines tend to be a lovely deep ruby colour and the nose is almost physically chewable with lingering black fruits, combining with sweet tones of treacle and caramel and a hint of stewed prunes in the background. Absolutely gorgeous.
On tasting, it is a surprise to find that it is typically lighter in the body than the nose suggested. Flavours of black fruits, especially cherry, come through with hints of plum in the background. Some Zweigelt will give a lot of spice, especially cinnamon. The length of this wine can be astonishing.
Lineage
Zweigelt is named after its creator, Dr Zweigelt, who crossed St. Laurent and Blaufränkisch in 1922 at the research centre in Klosterneuburg. Whilst crossing two great grapes does not guarantee a greater, this comes pretty close. Both parents are used to making beautiful wine and the child is too.
It was originally named Rotburger and in places is still known by that synonym today. However that can be very confusing as there is another grape, totally unrelated, called Rotberger.
Knowing the parentage of Zweigelt, it is clear that it is the grandchild of both Gouais Blanc and Pinot, making it part of serious grape royalty. It is also a parent of Roesler, also created in Klosterneuburg, an up-and-coming red grape in Austria.
