South Styria is known for the world’s best Sauvignon Blanc! We asked our partner Tschermonegg, what makes this region so special.
Wine of Austria:
What is special about your wine-growing region?
Tschermonegg:
Southern Styria is one of the most scenic wine-growing regions in the world. The wineries are mostly located on small hilltops or hills in the middle of their evergreen vineyards in single vineyard sites. The climate here is Illyrian. Warm and humid Mediterranean currents from the south, continental from the Alps in the north and Pannonian influence from the east. The people here are very earthy, hospitable, sociable and, above all, orientated towards Styrian-Mediterranean cuisine and good wines.
Wine of Austria:
What characterizes your product and what special features does it bring?
Tschermonegg:
Our classic wines are characterized by their drink-ability and elegance, as well as a clean and fruity, perfectly pronounced varietal typicality. Wines that are really fun to drink and demand another sip, glass or bottle. We also vinify local and vineyard wines with depth and distinctive terroir characteristics on three different types of soil: sand and sandstone (Gamlitz), clay and marl (Leutschach), gravel and conglomerate (Eichberg).
Wine of Austria:
What is special about your wine production?
Tschermonegg:
We produce very environmentally consciously according to the guidelines of “Sustainable Austria” and also do without mineral fertilizers, herbicides and copper-containing pesticides. We use electrical energy from our own solar cells and thermal energy by processing broken and damaged wood from our own neighboring forests. A large proportion of all work in the vineyards is skilled and selective manual labor in sometimes very steep terrain. Our employees are highly trained and receive above-average pay.
Wine of Austria:
How does your vinification differ from the rest of the world?
Tschermonegg:
Southern Styria is blessed with well-distributed natural rainfall, making us one of the few regions in the world that will be able to manage without artificial irrigation in the future. Our soils are vegetated all year round, which prevents erosion and promotes active soil life. Yields are deliberately kept low in order to achieve high physiological ripeness and good, juicy flavours. Good wine is made in the vineyard and not in the cellar. 100% selective hand-picking and manual sorting of the grapes in the vineyard is no longer a matter of course these days, but it is precisely this fact that confirms our ability to shine with awards at various tastings and rankings.
Wine of Austria:
What is your favourite variety?
Tschermonegg:
Sauvignon blanc in all its facets and its different ageing variations.
Wine of Austria:
What else would you like to say? What is important to you as a producer?
Tschermonegg:
For us, producing wine is still a craft and a passion. Working with nature and yet leaving nothing to chance is our motto. It is also a certain privilege to be able to live and work here in the lush nature of southern Styria. We want to be able to pass this nature and this corner of the world on to the next generation with as small a footprint as possible.
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