Do you see images before you of mountains and a white blanket of snow? Underneath, Austria hides beautiful vineyards where they grow the best grapes for Austrian Sekt and Austrian red. Both of which you drink nice and cool. For example at Christmas, because Weihnachten is well celebrated.
Text Marjolein Schuman / Image: Robert Herbst, Carletto Photography, Manu Grafenauer

Wine with Christmas dinner

In Austria, the elaborate meal always starts festively with bubbles, we can take an example from that. Sekt Austria, usually made with Flaschengärung (a second fermentation in the bottle) is delicious as an aperitif but also with starters. Because the carbon dioxide (CO2) in sparkling wine acts as a flavour enhancer, all quality levels of Sekt go with food. The general rule is: the fuller the Sekt, the richer your dish can be.

‘With Sekt there is at least three bar of pressure in the bottle, be careful with the cork!’

Carp or Christmas goose?

As a main course at Christmas, carp is popular, meat-eaters get Christmas goose. You can throw in a white, Austrian Grüner Veltliner, with a medium body and a rich mineral quality. But this also suits the fruity red wines that are so popular worldwide and are made in abundance in Austria. Lightly chilled, they are tastiest and the fruit flavours come out well. Opulent, longer wood-aged wines are better served with firmer game, and then also slightly below room temperature.

Game and wine

Deer, pheasant and hare from Austrian forests are brought in during the hunting season by experienced local hunters, with respect for nature. With game you can use a range of wines with backbone, also consider the preparation of the meat. Blauer Zweigelt, for example, has body, a firm tannic structure, light wood and aromas of blackberries, blueberries and spices like black pepper and cinnamon. You can almost taste already that this wine pairs well with venison steak with cranberry sauce.

Try it yourself with these 5 wine tips

 Österreichischer Sekt trocken Hochriegl / ANFORS-IMPERIAL.COM / €10.95

Fruity, spicy, beautifully dry sect with a fine mousse. A blend of grüner veltliner and welschriesling that lies ‘sur lattes’ for six months and receives its second ageing in stainless steel tanks (Methode Charmat).

Steininger Grüner Veltliner Sekt Reserve / VOORDEELWIJNEN.NL / €26.95

Meadow flowers, yellow apples, white pepper and on the palate nice and tight with a fine mousse and some creaminess. Made using the traditional method AND from grapes from a single vintage. By Eva and Peter, third generation of the Steininger wine family.

Cuvée Neptun Zweigelt - St. Laurent / DEWIJNGOEROE.nl / €12.25

From Thermenregion comes this blend of Austrian grapes zweigelt and sankt laurent that has aromas of blueberries and other dark fruits. Lively, fine tannins, drinkable. Tipped with lamb rack.

Winzer Krems Kellermeister Reserve Blauer Zweigelt  / GALL.CO.UK / €14.49

Wine cooperative Winzer Krems sits on the Danube in wine country Lower Austria. Their Blauer Zweigelt has cherries and blueberries, vanilla, nuts and spice. Warming in winter, also serve it lightly chilled.

Gruber Röschitz Pinot Noir Black Vintage 2020 / BOONSTRAWIJNEN.NL / € 39.95

A supple Blauburgunder from Weinviertel, also in Lower Austria. Think seductive red fruit, earthy notes and that typical pinot elegance. Can accompany meats, cheeses or just like that by the fireplace. Serve between 15 and 18°C for the ideal taste experience.

The flag on the bottle!

Every Austrian Qualitätswein and Sekt Austria is the proud bearer of a red and white banderole. As quality control, such a wine not only receives chemical analysis, but is also inspected on a sensory level by trained tasters. Looking, smelling and slurping: we sign for such a job. The grapes used come only from the small wine country's protected viticultural areas. Sekt, by the way, involves a minimum of three bars of pressure in the bottle, so be careful with the cork.

Lesson in Austrian Sekt

There is a three-tiered pyramid of appellations. The Sekt Austria (PDO) category is synonymous with crackling freshness and aromas of apple, peach and citrus. Sekt Austria Reserve (PDO) must age on the lees for a minimum of 18 months and bottle fermentation is mandatory, as with cava and crémant. It delivers more structure, a softer mousse and almond, brioche and honey on the palate. With its strict designation of origin, Sekt Austria Grosse Reserve (PDO) is one of the best sparkling wines in the world, comparable to franciacorta and champagne. This wine is eminently gastronomic.

I'm curious!

If you want to know more about the Sekt with protected areas of origin, i.e. Sekt Austria (PDO), Sekt Austria Reserve (PDO) and Sekt Austria Grosse Reserve (PDO) read more at this link.

Suggestions for festive wine-food combinations can be found here.

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