Wine: Austrian reds
The best Austrian reds come from the Burgenland region.
Red wines from Austria aren’t trendy, but they’re “worth paying attention to,” said Dave McIntyre in The Washington Post. Like northern Italy’s reds, they’re “food-friendly wines with very little oak influence.” Because the 2011 growing season was excellent, it’s a good time to learn the turf. The best Austrian reds come from the Burgenland region, the source of these three standouts.
2009 Leo Hillinger Hill Side ($25). This “energetic” syrah blend has a “smoky” character “rendered sleek and lithe” by 20 percent zweigelt.
2008 Neckenmarkt Blaufränkisch ($13). There’s “a nice purity and lightness” to this blaufränkisch, which features “high-toned fruit, cherry, and plum flavors.”
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
2008 Tinhof Blaufränkisch Von den Hügeln ($26). The acidity of this delicious wine and its “impeccable balance” make it a great choice for a casual dinner.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
AI workslop is muddying the American workplace
The explainer Using AI may create more work for others
-
Japan poised to get first woman prime minister
Speed Read The ruling Liberal Democratic Party elected former Economic Security Minister Sanae Takaichi
-
The 5 best mob movies of all time
The Week Recommends If you don’t like a good gangster flick, just fuhgeddaboudit