Markowitsch Rubin Carnuntum 2014

We love Question Time. The way David Dimbleby umpires as questions and answers are volleyed between irate the audience and wriggling politicians. So we'd like to play being DD, with an imagined audience and the maker of Markowitsch Rubin, made from the obscure Zweigelt grape...

Audience: 'This wine is Austrian, you say?'

Gerhard Markowitsch: 'Ja, we are a small but incredibly exciting win-producing country.'

Audience: 'That's all well and good Gerhard, but what the jeffing heck are Zweigelt grapes and what do they taste like?'

Gerhard: 'Well, it has the acidity and fresh red fruit of Sangiovese, with a bit more, how do you say, oomph?'

Us: '*Peers over glasses* next question please...'

The Markowitsch winery has, in a very short time, attained a strong reputation for quality and Gerhard Markowitsch was named Winemaker of the Year 1999 by the prestigious Falstaff magazine.

The wine region Carnuntum, named after Oberpannoniens, the largest Roman settlement, is considered one of the few regions where Austria's top quality wines can be produced. The special microclimate, influenced by the Pannonian sea and the cooling effect and westerly winds near the Danube.

Markowitsch has about 38 ha vineyard, 75% of which is for red wine (Zweigelt, Pinot Noir, Merlot and Blaufränkisch) and 25% is for white (made Grüner Veltliner, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc).

Over the past 10 years there has been a revolution in Austrian wine-growing. Gerhard Markowitsch recognised potential of his land of the growing expertise the potential and thus produced wines of international standing. Rising to the challenge of the international market, he built one of the most modern winery buildings in 2001, with 2,500 square feet.

Deep ruby, intense nose of cherries and dark berries, soft and full on the palate with gentle chocolate-flavour and a long finish.