# Puszta Libre! (2024)

- **Producer:** Claus Preisinger
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Zweigelt, St. Laurent, Pinot Noir
- **Region:** Burgenland, Austria
- **Style:** Natural
- **Alcohol:** 11.5%
- **Average price:** €18
- **Vegan:** Yes
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 12–14 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** cherry, strawberry, violet, black pepper, cloves

## About this wine

Puszta Libre! is named after the Puszta, the vast Pannonian lowlands surrounding Lake Neusiedl in Burgenland, Austria. Created by renowned natural winemaker Claus Preisinger, this wine is a homage to Beaujolais and was designed as an easy-drinking, chillable red wine that defies traditional expectations. Operating out of Gols, Preisinger is a pioneer of biodynamic viticulture in Austria and a leading member of the Pannobile group.

## Interesting facts

- The wine bottle shape and crown cap pay tribute to nostalgic soft drink bottles and traditional Austrian regional packaging.
- Winemaker Claus Preisinger jokingly describes Puszta Libre! as a red wine designed to taste more like a white wine.
- The cuvee is produced using 20% whole-cluster carbonic maceration to create a light, fruit-forward, Beaujolais-inspired profile.

## Food pairing

Because Puszta Libre! is a light-bodied, refreshing red wine with low tannins and high acidity, it pairs wonderfully when served chilled alongside lighter savory dishes, roasted poultry, cured meats, and mild cheeses without overpowering delicate flavors.

## Wine making process

Grapes are organically and biodynamically farmed and harvested entirely by hand. Fermentation occurs spontaneously with wild yeasts in stainless steel tanks. Winemaking features a two-part maceration: 80% semi-carbonic fermentation with destemmed grapes and 20% full carbonic maceration with whole clusters. The wine completes spontaneous malolactic fermentation, ages for 6 months in stainless steel, and is bottled unfiltered, unfined, and without added sulfur.