2018 Meinklang Osterreich Roter ‘Mulatschak’

Region: Neusiedlersee < Burgenland < Austria

Grapes: Zweigelt, St. Laurent

Vineyard/Cellar Stats: Certified biodynamic farming (Demeter); sandy loam soils with rocky topsoil; spontaneous fermentation in stainless steel with no temperature control, then 4 months in stainless steel sur lie; bottled unfined/unfiltered with 25ppm added SO2; 11.5% ABV

Winemaker: Werner, Hannes and Lukas Michlit

A new wine from Austria's certified-biodynamic, family-run wine estate, the cult favorite Meinklang - an insanely delicious sour cherry elixir that is the ultimate chillable red! 

The Michlit family were farmers on this land before World War I, when this part of Austria still belonged to Hungary. They have always worked a fully integrated farm with animals (cows, chickens, pigs, sheep and horses), orchards and grains in addition to grapes. They practice crop rotation, and nothing goes to waste. After the war, the farm was broken in two and their village ended up across the border in Austria meaning they had to give up their parcel in Hungary. Parents Anneliese and Werner proudly reclaimed this after the fall of communism, which worked out very well when it became clear that not just one, but all of their three sons would stick around to carry on the family business. 

The Mulatschak (which means Fifteen Down, a card game in Austria) Roter (red) is meant to be an easy, juicy sipping wine - they call it a snack!  We call it the perfect late summer red.  Peppery and bursting with sour cherries, black plum and blackberry, it's bright and tart, slightly raw, and way juicier (and far less tannins) than you often find in these austere Austrian varietals.  Like Pinot had an edgier, punkier little brother.  And at just 11.5% alcohol, it's all-afternoon drinkable. 

SERVE SLIGHTLY CHILLED