Austria's indigenous reds

The trend for alternative varieties continues to interest the world of wine. For example, our tasting notes database covers Grüner Veltliners from no fewer than ten countries in addition to its homeland of Austria. The likes of Zweigelt, Blaufränkisch and St Laurent, however, are rather less well-travelled. 

Having tasted nearly 50 examples, mostly from the strong 2015 vintage, I can see no reason why these black grape varieties couldn't find success abroad. Each of them offers something distinctly different to the mainstream international varieties that have become so over-familiar in...