Christian Tschida "Himmel Auf Erden" Rosé, Burgenland, Austria 2024

FROM JENNY & FRANCOIS:

THE WINE: 100% Blaufrankisch. Rosé à la Christian Tschida – the direct 1:1 expression of unique terroir from the highest and coolest parts of the hill. Blaufränkisch from the chalkiest and limestone-rich plots, picked on 5 different harvest days in order to depict the whole aromatic spectrum, creates a rosé as the purest expression of this ultimate soil type. As straight forward and clear as it can be from red grapes. The result: a wine, as sharp as an arrow-straight laser with plenty of floral spice and the grace of a pink-hued white. Precise and with great finesse and grandezza. This is a concept Christian wants to deepen in the future.

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.