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The Blauer Wildbacher is a relative of Blaufränkisch and originates from a Gouais Blanc seedling. Despite the very small acreage of plantings in its native Weststeiermark, the Wildbacher is much better known as the Schilcher rosé wine.
Austria, Wildbach, Steiermark
Natural seedling from the Heunisch variety
520.10 ha; 1.2% of the total area under vine
Red wine grape variety
Vineyard area
It is grown only in Steiermark, especially the Weststeiermark. Only Blauer Wildbacher from Steiermark is permitted for the production of Schilcher.
Important ampelographic features
Important ampelographic features
Leaf
full-gown leaf is wedge-shaped; three to five lobes
Grape cluster
small, with compact berries; conical, shouldered, often with wings; roundish blue-black grapes and a neutral to grassy taste
Vine growth over the course of the year
Ripening
Ripening
Significance & conditions
Although its vineyard presence is very small, this grape is nevertheless very well known for its rosé-style wine - a Steiermark speciality called Schilcher. With its pink to onion skin colour, the Schilcher is vinified just like a rosé. The variety demands the best vineyard sites. It is sensitive to late frosts and highly prone to oidium and peronospora.
Area under vine in Austria
(as a proportion of the variety’s total area)
Click on the wine origin in the list for a breakdown into more specific regions of origin.
Total area in Austria:
Characteristics of the wine
Characteristics of the wine
Racy acidity as well as a distinctive aroma and taste characterise the fruity-fresh, robust wine - which can be enjoyed also as an apéritif. In gneiss and slate soils, the variety achieves a grassy and spicy expression. Red wine is also made from Blauer Wildbacher, as is Prädikatswein (including Eiswein).
Link
Source varietal specifications: Höhere Bundeslehranstalt und Bundesamt für Wein- und Obstbau (Federal College and Federal Office for Viticulture, Oenology and Fruit Growing) in Klosterneuburg, “Austria’s Qualitätswein grape varieties and their clones“ („Österreichische Qualitätsweinrebsorten und deren Klone“), 2nd, reviewed edition, September 2015
Source area under vine: Calculation by Austrian Wine based on data from BML/IACS (as at 3 July 2024). Moving annual total (MAT) from July 2023 to July 2024.