Review: Zeronimo Zweigelt a perfect pairing for pizza and pasta
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The Zeronimo dealcoholized Zweigelt is another wine that will rock the foundations of the non-alcoholic wine world. There’s just something about the reds that Patrick and Katja Bernegger produce that defies everything we’ve already tried in dealcoholizing red wines. From the aroma, to the complexity, to the structure and the experience, this latest in their range is a sure thing for anyone that wants to impress a dinner guest with an inclusive option.
And let’s address the elephant in the room: you will be happy to hear it’s easier on the wallet than Zeronimo’s other non-alcoholic red wine, the premium 98-point dealcoholized Leonis Blend. In fact, this really is a holy grail product or a hidden gem with excellent premium value at a very reasonable price.
Click here to read the review of the Zeronimo delacoholized 98-point Leonis Blend.
What is Zweigelt?
If you’re not familiar with the zweigelt varietal, it’s the other signature grape of Austria after the blaufrankisch and gruner veltliner. It was produced first in 1922 as a hybrid of blaufrankisch and saint-laurent, and has a fascinating resemblance to a lush Burgundian red. It’s fair to say that this is truly the very first zweigelt in the world to be dealcoholized. A very exciting turn of events for this category.
The Zeronimo Zweigelt is from the famous red wine region of Burgenland in Austria, and was aged fifteen months in small oak barriques and is 100% native Zweigelt. It’s got only 3g of sugar per 5oz glass - with zero added sugars.
Aroma
The most delicious thing about this non-alcoholic red is that it actually smells boozy. You can smell the aroma as the wine is just innocently sitting there in the glass, aerating for a few minutes. The aroma is nutty and juicy with a big cherry bravado, followed by a tiny hint of pepper or eucalyptus, almost like a syrah.
Taste
The taste of this zweigelt is so exciting. There are notes of leather, and a hint of wood smoke married with lively blackberry and cocoa. Wonderfully balanced tannins with a soft acidity and a bit of tart fruit. The structure stays intact, and it doesn’t fall apart in the middle like a lot of non-alcoholic reds. There’s a little bit of length at the end which is a real treat. It will be a surprise to you just how close it tastes to a full-alcohol wine, but also how delicious it is. I finished an entire 350ml bottle in one evening, reading a book by the fire.
Mouthfeel
The mouthfeel is dry and tannic but without the mountaineering grips, so it goes down very smoothly. It has a nice rounded quality to it that makes it a very easy drinking wine. This is probably one of the most full-bodied non-alcoholic wines in the category.
What to pair with Zeronimo Zweigelt?
There are lots of non-alcoholic reds you can pair with pizza or pasta, but this truly is a match made in heaven. The peppery zing, the tannins and the sturdiness of the liquid will easily keep pace with your mediterranean slice or a fresh marinara sauce.
But truly, it seems like keeping this wine at the level of pizza and pasta is a crime, as it is so much more elevated than everything else in the category with the exception of Leonis Blend. You can pair this wine with anything or just enjoy it on its own because like a pinot noir, it’s just right for any occasion.
Serving tip: chill the wine slightly to about 15 degrees C, and let it aerate for about 10-15 minutes - it really opens up with these small tweaks.
And hot tip for any restaurant or hospitality manager: this is THE wine you want on your menu, as it comes in 375ml bottles and will really impress your guests. It will deliver the boozy red experience people are looking for!
Overall
This non-alcoholic red is an excellent example of a zweigelt wine, without the alcohol. It has great personality and stands out in the category as a premium dealcoholized wine. It delivers an incredible experience from the first sip to the last!
Score: 98 points
How we score wines at Some Good Clean Fun:
95 to 100 - An excellent drink with a great personality. An example that stands out among its peers
90 to 94 - An accomplished drink with considerable personality, character and complexity. A classic example of its style or variety.
85 to 89 - A perfectly well-made drink which provides an enjoyable drinking experience.
80 to 84 - An acceptable but simple drink, lacking distinction.
Overall: This non-alcoholic red is an excellent example of a zweigelt wine, without the alcohol. It has great personality and stands out at the top of the category for premium dealcoholized red wine. It delivers an incredible experience from the first sip to the last!
Score: 98 points
