2019 Weinlaubenhof Alois Kracher Zweigelt Trocken Burgenland Austria

If you like Pinot Noir or Beaujolais, Zweigelt is one of the easiest and most rewarding Austrian wines to bring into your rotation. It has the same bright, juicy red fruit and soft tannins you already know, but with a bit more lift and freshness. That’s why sommeliers love it: it drinks like a chillable, weeknight-friendly red but still shows the depth of a serious grape. For U.S. drinkers looking for something new without stepping too far out of their comfort zone, Zweigelt offers real character, real value, and a style that feels instantly familiar from the first sip.

Few estates bring more credibility to this grape than Kracher. The family became internationally famous through Alois Kracher Senior, the winemaker who put Austrian sweet wines on the global stage. He was the first Austrian to receive a 100-point score from Robert Parker, earned Winemaker of the Year six times, and saw his wines poured in over 400 New York restaurants. Critics still consider Kracher one of the world’s top producers of sweet wines, with regular 99- and 100-point ratings and a track record that spans decades.

Today the estate is led by his grandson, Gerhard Kracher, who brings a broader, more international perspective to the cellar. His experience in France and California adds a modern edge to the family’s traditional approach, and that combination of discipline and fresh thinking shapes wines like this. The vineyards benefit from warm days, cool nights, and steady winds, creating the kind of balance and lift that define the best examples of the grape.

If you’re new to Austrian reds, this is one of the easiest and most rewarding places to start. Zweigelt works for weeknight meals, casual gatherings, or any moment you want a smooth, approachable red that doesn’t overpower the table. And because Zweigelt delivers the brightness of Pinot Noir and the drinkability of Gamay at a fraction of the price, it offers exceptional value—making this bottle a smart way to explore something new while still getting serious quality for the money.

Aging: In used barrels for 2.5 years

ABV: 13.5%