# Rét Red (2024)

- **Producer:** Weingut Alex & Maria Koppitsch
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Zweigelt, St. Laurent
- **Region:** Burgenland, Austria
- **Style:** Natural
- **Alcohol:** 11.0%
- **Average price:** €19
- **Vegan:** Yes
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 10–14 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** cherry, raspberry, blueberry, herbaceous, yogurt, hay

## About this wine

Alex and Maria Koppitsch took over their family's estate in Neusiedl am See in 2011, cultivating vines biodynamically on the northern shore of Lake Neusiedl in Burgenland. Rét belongs to their 'Fun Wines' series, conceived to be lighthearted, approachable, and pure reflections of their terroir. The wine's name stems from the Hungarian word for meadow or pasture, recalling the historic use of this riverside gravel land prior to vine cultivation.

## Interesting facts

- The name Rét is Hungarian for meadow, recalling the land's history as a communal pasture.
- Bottled in clear burgundy bottles without foil capsules, sealed with natural beeswax-coated corks.
- The winemakers suggest serving it chilled and giving the bottle a gentle shake to re-integrate fine lees.
- Includes 25% direct-pressed rosé in the 2024 vintage blend to boost freshness and energy.

## Food pairing

With low tannins, crisp acidity, and a light body, this natural red functions similarly to a full-bodied rosé or rich white. It shines alongside casual, vegetable-forward dishes, charcuterie, and light pork or poultry, cutting through light oils without astringent tannin clashes.

## Wine making process

Grown on river gravel over sandy subsoils in the Hutweide and Prädium plots, grapes were hand-harvested, destemmed, and spontaneously fermented on skins using native yeasts for 5 to 6 days. The 2024 blend incorporates 25% direct-pressed Rotburger rosé for elevated freshness. Maturation took place on gross lees for 7 months in stainless steel, fibreglass, and large acacia wood barrels before bottling without fining or filtration and with minimal sulfur.