The red grape variety (breeding number Klosterneuburg 181-2-71) is a new variety between St. Laurent x Blaufränkisch (which was confirmed by DNA analyses carried out in 1997). Synonyms are Blaue Zweigeltrebe, Blauer Zweigelt, Cvaigelt, Cveigelt, Klosterneuburg 71, Rotburger, Semenac Cerni 71, Zweigelt 71, Zweigeltrebe and Zwiegelt.
The cross was made in 1922 by Dr Fritz Zweigelt (1888-1964) at the Klosterneuburger Weinbauinstitut (Lower Austria), who gave it the name Rotburger. It was not until 1975 that it was given its current name Zweigelt after its creator as part of the Quality Wine Variety Ordinance. The Austrian viticultural pioneer Lenz Moser III (1905-1978) was particularly in favour of this name after many years of practical testing of the grape variety in the new high-culture cultivation form he had developed. The variety was a crossing partner in the new varieties Anthoprim, Ariana, Cabernet Moravia, Roesler and Zweigelt Stella.
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