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Spätrot grapes

by | Mar 2, 2017

Spätrot, most commonly known as Zierfandler which refers to a famous variety of white wine grapes that is mainly concerned with the production of some amazing white wines in the Thermen region of Austria.

Spätrot

This white wine grape variety comes with a very unique property, it turns itself red just before the time of its harvest.

This variety of grape is mostly planted in the Thermen region and in that particular region; it is mostly blended with the variety called Rotgipler.

Together, these grapes produce a traditional and tasteful white wine known as Gumpoldskirchener.

The name of this grape variety Spatrot refers to the blush that appears when the grapes turn pink just before their period of harvest.

Apart from being blended with the traditional grapes, this grape variety is also able to produce the varietal wines that are enjoyed by the people at large. The wines produced out of this grape variety are very much capable of ageing well.

This white wine grape variety ripens relatively late when compared to other grape varieties. When the vines of this grape variety are exposed to sun, they turn themselves as red and appear to be the pink grapes.

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The vines of this white wine grape variety are mostly prone to noble rot. The leaves of this grape are considered to be three to five lobed and bunches of these grapes are conical, large as well a winged to their overall shape.

As recorded in the year 2005, the wines of this white wine grape variety covered 98.24 hectares area in the regions of Austria.

Thus, it could be said that this white wine grape variety is very much popular in the regions of Austria.

This white wine grape variety is also found growing in the regions of Hungary, where it is named as Cirfandli and at the same time they are also referred to as Zerjavina in the areas of Slovenia.

This white wine grape variety is known to the world under a number of synonyms. The major names of this white wine grape variety are Cilifan, Cilifai, Cirifai, Crifan, Cirifai Piros, Gumpoldskirchener, Kesoei Piros, Roter Reifler, Reilfer Rot, Rotreifler, Rubiner, Zerjavina and many others.

Origin

This white wine grape variety is mostly referred to be a cross between the famous grape varieties of Traminer as well as Roter Veltliner.

This cross was performed in Hungary. However, according to some people, this variety of white wine grape could be the inadvertent origin of the name Zinfandel that has its roots in a famous Croatian grape that was collected by the monarchy of Habsburg in the regions of Vienna.

Thus, the origin of this white wine grape variety is not entirely confirmed and they are still under the wraps.

Characteristics

The content of sugar in this white wine grape variety is considered to be pretty high. Thus, the wines produced out of this white wine grape variety possess a number of characteristics.

These wines come in a spicy character and a great level of aroma. The levels of acidity present in the wines produced out of this white wine grape variety are high.

Thus, these wines are produced both in rich as well as dry forms. The wines produced out of this white wine grape variety are also sometimes the sweet dessert wines that complement a number of wines on the table.

These wines entertain with them a great potential. When the grapes of this white wine grape variety are ripened nicely, they produce the wines that are highly aromatic and acidic.

On the contrary, when the grapes are not ripened early they produce wines that are subtle and light as to its nature. These wines are best served when chilled.

Food pairing

In the regions of Europe, these wines are best paired with mushrooms in white sauce and dampfnudel dumplings.

In the regions of Asia, these wines are best paired with aromatic rice and in the regions of Australasia the wines produced out of this white wine grape variety are best paired with the food items such as asparagus and blue cheese risotto.

Author

Michael Bredahl

Michael Bredahl

Wine Writer

Michael is an online enthusiast, with a lot of knowledge about online marketing. Traveling around the world to hunt for the perfect wine. Latest on Sicily, where Etna has a huge impact on the taste, which is strong with a bitter aftertaste for the youngest wines, but older wines are fantastic. Drinking wine, and writing about them, are one the passions. Remember to drink responsibly 🙂

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