Zierfandler

Zierfandler, also known as Spätrot (late red) is a white grape. Only some 100 hectares are grown making it very rare.

Probably originally from Lower Austria and now grown almost exclusively in Thermenregion, it is the mainstay of the wines from Gumpoldskirchen, with Rotgipfler.

The wines are golden yellow and have a fruity bouquet with good acidity. Most is produced with some residual sugar and it is often blended with Rotgipfler. Recently however, it has grown in popularity as a single variety wine both in a dry style and as a sweet wine.

DNA profiling suggests that Zierfandler is a natural cross between Roter Veltliner and an offspring of Savagnin. It is not, as some think, related to Silvaner.