Winemonger.com

Birgit Braunstein was named “Female Vintner of the Year” in 2004, and her juicy, elegant red wines are a big reason why.

Sold out every year at home, we have only limited quantities of her wines for the U.S. Market. While her Oxhoft Chardonnay has enjoyed a great reputation here, this marks the debut for her red wines, which have garnered big points and rave reviews in international wine guides.

St. Laurent is for many the most exciting red wine grape from Austria. Often described as being along the lines of a Pinot Noir but with the heft of a Cabernet, this tough-to-grow varietal has long been the secret favorite for those in the know.

Zweigelt, on the other hand, has enjoyed its popularity amongst the wine crowd for some time now. This crossing of St.Laurent and Blaufrankisch is a bit like a great Syrah (that’s Shiraz to you Oz wine lovers) but with terroir notes that make it undeniably Austrian.

Try these two top-notch reds, both from the monumental 2003 vintage, which was Austria’s highest scoring red wine vintage in more than a decade.

The St. Laurent Varietal

The St. Laurent (Sankt Laurent, Laurenzitraube, Sankt Lorenz Traube, Pinot St. Laurent) appears to be a natural crossing between the Pinot Noir grape and some unknown partner.

Its name has been attributed to the Bordeaux village of the same name, but other explanations point to Saint Laurentius day (10th of August), the day on which this grape allegedly likes to begin its ripening phase. St. Laurent is notorious for an early bud-break which can lead to trouble in countries like Austria where late frost is common. “You have to be a little crazy to grow this varietal ” Birgit confessed, “but I believe the rewards merit the pain of it all.”

The St. Laurent sports juicy berries, velvety tannins and it is often quite mouth-filling. Its color leans towards a deep, dark red. St. Laurent wines tend to be fruity and multi-layered, and with just a little bit of age, a St. Laurent wine can develop an exceptionally smooth texture. However, it is the wine’s bright sour-cherry aromas and flavors, which are typically offset by subtle tartness, that has its fans raving.

Depending upon the vinification methods used, a St. Laurent can have great aging potential. Put it away if you can wait and you will be amply rewarded.

St. Laurent wines pair well with your favorite Christmas spice cookies, a duck or other flying dinner, cheeses, BBQ and almost anything else you are not supposed to eat.

Always decant a good St. Laurent for an hour or more.

Try them now:

Braunstein Goldberg St.Laurent 2003

Braunstein Mitterjoch Zweigelt 2003