Wines : Styria

There are surely wine-growing areas with weightier and especially more alcoholic wines. But throughout the world, there doesn´t exist any fresher, more brilliant and - in an elegant style - more origin-typical wines than in southern Steiermark.

Wine Regions of Burgenalnd Actually, all three Styrian wine-growing areas - with their incomparable specialities - lie more or less in the southern part of this federal state. To the west, in a uniquely scenic, hilly landscape, the Schilcher wine is dominant. This piquant rosé is one of the most distinctive of terroir wines. In the Sausal and along the Südsteirischen Weinstraße, or the South Styrian Wine Road, Sauvignon Blanc and Muskateller hold court. These two varietals also thrive in the volcanic terroir of the southeastern area, but here, especially the Traminer variety is a glittering jewel for connoisseurs. The most abundant Styrian wine, the Welschriesling, with its lovely green apple bouquet, has far more fans than wine critics can even begin to imagine.

Those seeking more bodied wines are in good hands with the Pinot family. The Weißburgunder (Pinot Blanc), from calcareous soils with a touch of refined minerality, is a distinguished wine. And Chardonnay, which is known also as Morillon, can even with its freshness show weight and power, and like the best Grauburgunder (Ruländer, Pinot Gris) gain body through ageing.

Each new vintage in the Steiermark is traditionally celebrated with the light “Junker” wine, which premieres at the beginning of November. And in Spring, the dry "classic” wines come on the market. But in the future, lovers of the great site wines will need to have a little more patience. The Styrian vintners are working on them more and more slowly and with more care - so that the distinctive Styrian style becomes truly world class.

(Source: www.winesfromaustria.com)