Judith Beck Ink Red Wine 2022

The Judith Beck estate is based in the Burgenland commune of Gols, in the Neusiedlersee region, on the eastern – and warmest — side of the Lake Neusiedl, not too far away from Meinklang Farm. Gols is part of the larger Burgenland region in easternmost Austria, which enjoys a very warm climate defined by the Pannonian Plain to the east and the Lake.

Judith’s parents, Matthias and Christine Beck founded the family estate in 1976. Judith Beck made her first vintage in 2001 and in 2004 she assumed full control of the winery. After graduating from the Klosterneuburg Viniculture College Judith Beck gained international experience at world-renowned wineries, including Chateau Cos d’Estournel in Bordeaux, Braida in Piedmont and Errazuriz in Chile. Managing the family winery comes naturally to Judith who has an innate “sixth-sense” feel for the regional varieties Zweigelt, Blaufrankisch, and St. Laurent.

Burgenland, nestled between the Austrian Alps' foothills to the west and Hungary to the east, holds a venerable position in Austria's vinicultural domain. Known as the Pannonian Plain, it extends over 32,200 acres, marking Austria's second-largest winemaking region. Burgenland embodies ancient winemaking traditions, modern viticultural techniques, and a burgeoning community of minimal intervention, natural winemakers.

Today, Burgenland is segmented into four DAC subregions: Mittelburgenland, Leithaberg, Eisenberg, and Neusiedlersee DAC, each exhibiting a distinct viticultural character. Mittelburgenland, a hub for red wines, particularly excels in Blaufränkisch production. Leithaberg, with its profound minerality, sits in northern Burgenland, one of the world's most ancient wine-growing locales. In the southeast, Eisenberg yields tart, tannic Blaufränkisch, while Neusiedlersee DAC, beside Lake Neusiedl, is famed for its sweet, botrytized wines.

Burgenland's geographical composition is a meld of Styrian and Pannonian Basins, hosting a spectrum of soils like sandy gravels, silt to clay sedimentary deposits, alongside limestone and schist. The region's Pannonian climate, a hot continental variant, is conducive to red wine production. The climatic interplay between warm Hungarian air and cooler Alpine breezes from the west extends the growing season, aiding grape acidity retention. Particularly in the Neusiedlersee area, humidity and scattered water bodies augment the growing season, creating a haven for Botrytis (Noble Rot) wines.

Burgenland also nurtures a diverse white wine portfolio despite its red wine prominence. Grapes like Gruner Veltliner and Welchsriesling thrive here, with the climate lending the white wines a ripe, full-bodied character. Near Lake Neusiedl, sweet white wines like Beerenauslese, Trockenbeerenauslese, and Eiswines have garnered global acclaim for their concentrated, exquisite profiles. The region's unique Ruster Ausbruch, a botrytized wine from Rust, stands in its own Austrian sweet wine classification. The region's "Zicklacken" lakes further facilitate Botrytis cinerea growth during Autumn.

Blaufränkisch, the quintessence of Austrian red wines, finds its prime cultivation ground in Burgenland. Its often tannic and spicy wines bear blackberry and dark currant notes with a mineral undertone. Zweigelt, a Blaufränkisch and St. Laurent cross, yields tart, fruity wines with spiced cherry and raspberry nuances. St. Laurent, a Pinot Noir progeny, is cultivated in northern Burgenland, producing crisp, fruit-forward red wines.

Food and Cuisine of Burgenland
Burgenland's culinary scene, influenced by its geographical proximity to Hungary, often exhibits a spicy undertone. Goulash and sausages are common, reflecting the local emphasis on utilizing regional meats, produce, and Lake Neusiedl fish. The region's contemporary cuisine often features fish, chicken, and pork, with potatoes as a staple side, harmoniously accompanying the diverse wine offerings of Burgenland.