Sauvignon Blanc from Steiermark: Austria ’s Understated Wonder
Although Sauvignon Blanc grows in nearly 700 hectares of vineyards throughout Austria, approximately 60 % of these are planted in the Steiermark’s three wine-growing areas - Südsteiermark (South Styria), Südoststeiermark (Southeast Styria) and Weststeiermark (West Styria). The Südsteiermark – Austria’s most southern wine growing area, with 1,741 hectares under vine - yields the majority of the country’s Sauvignon Blanc. It also produces some of the most distinctive, highly expressive ones. Here, soaring hills and deep, swooping valleys, limestone and schist soils, and a climate that combines warm Mediterranean-esque days with cool continental nights, unite to bear aromatic Sauvignons with a fine mineral tone, racy acidity and flavours ranging from grass and elderflower to peppery spice and herbs.
The Südoststeiermark, dotted with extinct volcanoes, hosts soils rich in basalt and sandy loam, which lend firm body to the aromatic Sauvignons produced here. In the Weststeiermark, very small amounts of Sauvignon Blanc are grown. But the ones produced in this cool climate area are generally young, fruity and yield a bold acidity kick.
Such a panoply of characteristics strongly helps to distinguish the Steiermark versions of Sauvignon Blanc from those produced in other countries, including France, South Africa, Chile and New Zealand.
Classic and Reserve
Because Sauvignon Blanc and the Steiermark are so well-suited to each other, two styles of the wine are produced. The Classic is a young, fruit-forward version that demonstrates crisp freshness and no hint of wood ageing. With an alcohol content usually of around 12 %, this wine is ideal for easy-drinking pleasure.
The Reserve style reflects not only depth, body and complexity, but its barrique or cask maturing lends to the wonderful ageing potential of the wine – up to 10-15 years. Many Reserves originate in some of the Südsteiermark’s finest single vineyards, including Grassnitzberg, Hochgrassnitzberg, Obegg, Zieregg, Kranachberg and Pössnitzberg.
Growing Success
In recent years, the demand for Austrian Sauvignon Blanc has grown robustly: top sommeliers and restaurateurs in Austria have discovered how impressive the wine pairs with an array of foods, such as seafood and chicken. And more recently, importers and fine restaurants abroad have been catching on to the wine’s distinctive quality and expression as well. Sauvignon Blanc from Südsteiermark is now beginning to wend its way to the United Kingdom, the United States, Japan and several other markets.
At the same time, Austrian winemakers, inspired by the wine’s style and flavour diversity as well as its growing demand, have been planting more of the varietal in their vineyards. Between 1999 and 2006, Sauvignon Blanc vineyards in Austria have doubled, from 314 hectares to 697 hectares. In Südsteiermark alone, plantings increased from 177 hectares to 364 hectares during the same period.
“Sauvignon Blanc, especially from Steiermark, is yet another example of how Austria as a niche wine country is producing some of the finest hand-crafted wines in the world,” says Willi Klinger, managing director of the Austrian Wine Marketing Board. “And it never runs out of hidden beauties. Sauvignon Blanc is the next beauty that is awakening.”
For a complete list of Sauvignon Blanc producers in Steiermark, please search for producers.
Also, stay tuned for information regarding the international Sauvignon Blanc festival to be held in Steiermark in August 2008!
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Producers