Petz Red Wine – 2022

Petz Red Wine by Oliver Zeter from Merlot and Cabernet

Petz Red Wine by Oliver Zeter is a full-bodied Palatinate red wine made from Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, grown around Hambach, Maikammer, and Edenkoben. Each grape variety matured separately in used French oak barriques before being blended together in the 2022 vintage.

Petz Red Wine 2022 is a robust red wine made from Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, which Oliver Zeter bottled unfined and unfiltered in the Palatinate. With 13.5% vol, it offers body and warmth, while its juicy fruit keeps it accessible.

Dark forest berries, chocolate, and a hint of tobacco

The aroma of this Palatinate red wine reveals dark forest berries and chocolate, interspersed with a touch of tobacco and flattering vanilla. On the tongue, it is full-bodied and dry, yet so juicy and fruity that it is a pleasure from the very first glass.

Merlot makes up the larger portion, considered the softer and fruitier of the two varieties. Cabernet Sauvignon contributes darker tones and firmer tannins. Together, they create a wine that is approachable from the first sip and shows a little more depth with every subsequent glass.

Each variety matures individually in barriques

The grapes for the Petz come from vineyards around the villages of Hambach, Maikammer, and Edenkoben on the edge of the Palatinate Forest. The must is fermented using traditional methods in open vats. Afterward, the skins and young wine remain together for several weeks, as the wine absorbs its deep color and the tannins that will later provide it with structure.

Only then is the mash gently pressed. In this vintage, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon are placed separately into used French oak barriques. Each variety matures there at its own pace until Oliver Zeter finally assembles the cuvée from the individual wines.

The wine is bottled unfined and unfiltered, ensuring it retains everything it gathered in the barrel. Because the barriques have already held wine, the wood imparts less of its own spice, allowing the fruit to remain in the foreground. Our product guide on barriques describes how small oak barrels influence a red wine.

Roast beef, lamb, and strong cheese

A slowly braised beef roast, grilled lamb chops, or a spicy, long-aged hard cheese are the obvious partners for this Palatinate red wine, as it has enough body to handle bold flavors. It also pairs well with venison stew or lentil soup with smoked sausage. At a barbecue with friends, it provides exactly the power needed to stand up to smoke and roasted aromas.

It unfolds its fruit most clearly at 16 to 18 degrees Celsius, which is why you can cool it down briefly on warm days. Thanks to the screw cap, an open bottle can be quickly resealed, and the remainder can wait until the next day. Incidentally, the name Petz was the nickname of Walter Baer, Oliver Zeter’s great-grandfather, and the illustrated bear on the label makes the bottle a friendly gift.

The Petz Red Wine 2023 shows how the cuvée changes when Syrah takes the lead role. In our red wine category, you will find other robust companions for autumn and winter.

Petz Red Wine 2022 – a red wine and its specifications

• Origin Germany
• Region Palatinate
• Oliver Zeter, Neustadt an der Weinstraße
• Grape varieties 67% Merlot, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon
• Maturation in used barriques
• Screw cap
• 13.5% vol alcohol
• 1.6 g/l residual sugar
• 5.2 g/l acidity