Blaufränkisch, in all its perfection and elegance, has been at the forefront of the Illa and Oscar Szemes winery for decades. Oscar Szemes, whose name, together with the old family coat of arms dating back to 1863, adorns the labels of the deliberately very clear but very fine range of wines, prefers to compare Blaufränkisch internationally with the delicate Pinot Noir grape rather than with a thick Merlot or Shiraz. In his opinion, true greatness lies in the simplicity of a wine that is neither fat nor jammy. Every single one of Illa and Oscar's wines is pure drinking pleasure. As Négociant Éleveur, the family does not own its own vineyards. The grapes are supplied by contract winegrowers. The wines are matured in the cellar in Pinkafeld in southern Burgenland - traditionally always in wooden barrels. New wood is only used discreetly in the form of 500 and 300 liter barrels. Oscar and Illa want to produce elegant, multi-layered wines with depth that do not overwhelm the consumer. Preserving the fruit and perfectly integrated tannins is particularly important to them. The Blaufränkisch Reserve "Imperial" is aged for at least 18 months in 500-liter barrels and then in 65-year-old large barrels that still come from the grandfather. Blaufränkisch "Tradition" is the little brother, which is also aged for 16 months in old large barrels. The "Desiderius" cuvée, which consists of Blaufränkisch, Cabernet Sauvignon and Zweigelt and is matured in 500 and 300-liter barrels, is successfully on the market for the fourth year with the 2014 vintage. A single-varietal Zweigelt completes the range. Since the 2011 vintage, the winery has also been a member of the "Blaufränkisch-Mittelburgenland" winegrowers' association. The Szemes family is also known for the "Arachon T.FX.T" winery, of which they are partners. Their expertise is also manifested in their cooperation with the leading Austrian sparkling wine house Schlumberger, which opened a new chapter in Austrian sparkling wine culture years ago with the DOM T.FX.T.
Route
