Spotlight on Christian Tschida: Austria’s Rising Star in Natural Wine

By | 15 January 2025

Christian Tschida is a prominent figure in the natural wine movement in Austria, based in Illmitz, a village situated on the eastern shore of Lake Neusiedlersee. His innovative approach to winemaking draws attention, as he focuses on being a "tuner" of the wine rather than a traditional winemaker. This philosophy emphasizes creativity and a natural approach, which is reflected in his diverse wine selection, where many offerings are bottled in magnums.

Before the pandemic, Tschida’s production was heavily weighted toward magnum bottles, making up 40% of his output. However, he adjusted his production due to changes in consumption patterns caused by the pandemic’s impact on the hospitality industry. The Tschida family has been producing wine in Illmitz for some time, and Christian has expanded his holdings to about 14 hectares, including vineyards in Purbach across the lake. Tschida employs minimal sulfites in his vinification, favoring large format oak barrels.

Tschida’s Notable Wines

  • Tschida Birdscape Pink 2023: A cross between rosé and red wine, producing a sappy and elegant flavor profile with notes of red cherries and herbs. Rated 95/100.

  • Tschida Laissez Faire 2023: This Riesling, grown in tightly spaced vines, has an intense, juicy flavor with a nice textural quality. Rated 94/100.

  • Tschida Himmel auf Erden Rosé 2023: A Blaufränkisch that offers juicy, tart flavors with a nice spicy finish, rated 93/100.

  • Tschida Non Tradition Grüner Veltliner 2016: Aged for four years in barrels, this wine boasts complexity and a saline, mineral quality, rated 95/100.

  • Tschida Hokus Pokus 2017: This Cabernet Franc is bright and fresh, with a stony mineral finish. Rated 94/100.

Christian Tschida’s dedication to his craft and his unique winemaking philosophy mark him as an influential producer within the natural wine community in Austria. For more information about his wines and philosophy, visit the Wine Anorak website, which features an in-depth look at his work.

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