Erlkönig Frizzante

Leitner farm their vines in Burgenland, on the warm eastern side of Austria near the Neusiedlersee, where red grapes such as Zweigelt ripen readily. The Erlkönig is a frizzante, a lightly sparkling wine held to a lower pressure than a full sparkling, with the bubble set in stainless steel to keep the fruit fresh and primary. The wine is bottled young and dry, so the emphasis sits on bright red-berry character rather than on lees ageing or complexity.

The colour is a pale cherry pink with a soft, foaming bead. The nose leads with strawberry and raspberry, a little red currant and a rose-petal lift. On the palate it is light and gently fizzy, the red fruit carried by fresh acidity and a clean, dry finish. Serve well chilled at around six to eight degrees in a tulip glass. It works as a relaxed aperitif and sits happily with summer salads, roast chicken or a plate of mild goat cheese.