Christian Tschida "Birdscape" Burgenland, Austria 2023

FROM JENNY & FRANCOIS:

THE WINE: A blend of Blaufränkisch and several different varietals, predominantly red.

“The vivid phantasy of a small, colorful plot, high up on the verge of the forest finding its essence in a wine that has its very own definition: light and fresh like a rosé, then deep and highly aromatic like a red. As numerous as the birds on it’s label, as vast are the varietals in the plot for this wine: a mixed field with over 20 different cépages and Blaufränkisch as the base layer, nestled on a terroir mix of bedrock and limestone. Harvested all together and fermented with Christian’s secret Pink Maceration Method they result in grape juice that can’t be put into a box. The bright, brilliant red color and the taste embody with every sip what Christian has always sought: a wine between rosé and red. This idea of bright, vibrant lightness of a rosé with the body and power of an ‘adolescent’ red is not to be achieved in the cellar, but rather in the vineyard.”

THE PRODUCER: Purity is indeed the cornerstone of Christian Tschida’s efforts. And probably also one of the reasons for his now cultish status, which is well-deserved for his hard work and visionary approach against the odds. (When Christian took the winery over in 2003, he recalls having “below zero customers”, alienating his father’s previous clients with his then-unheard-of vision of fruit-driven reds with low alcohol.) Whether he likes it or not (being too starstruck in his presence is rather advised-against), Christian now firmly sits in the natural wine pantheon along with people like his “Brutal” fellows and best mates Tom Lubbe of Matassa or Joan Ramon Escoda. Given he’s only in his early forties, enjoys this enormous vineyard and cellar potential, and has all the experience and dedication to go the extra mile, this status is likely to be re-confirmed with every new vintage and every new savvily minimalist Christian Tschida bottle full of intriguing twists and turns.