Austria

Steirerland

About Steirerland

The Steiermark g.U. umbrella for all Styrian wine, in Austria's green south-east. Three DACs sit underneath: Südsteiermark on the Slovenian border (Sauvignon Blanc, Welschriesling), Vulkanland Steiermark in the volcanic east (aromatic whites and red blends), and Weststeiermark west of Graz (Schilcher rosé from Blauer Wildbacher). The shared idiom — steep slopes, cool nights, mineral whites — runs through all three, but each DAC has its own grape and soil signature.

What Steirerland produces

White

Sauvignon Blanc and Welschriesling lead in Südsteiermark; Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay (Morillon), and Gelber Muskateller are widespread. Vulkanland is celebrated for Traminer and aromatic whites.

Red

Blauer Zweigelt across the umbrella; Vulkanland produces some Pinot Noir; tiny amounts of St. Laurent and field-blends.

Rosé

Schilcher — the iconic tart rosé of Weststeiermark from Blauer Wildbacher, a regional indigenous specialty.

Similar styles

Lands in the same glass.

Like the reds

Morellino di Scansano

Tuscany, Italy

Bramaterra

Piedmont, Italy

Côte de Brouilly

Beaujolais, France

Ajaccio

Corsica, France

Saint-Chinian

Languedoc-Roussillon, France

Like the whites

Dry Creek Valley

Sonoma Coast, United States

Cheverny

Loire Valley, France

Cinque Terre

Liguria, Italy

Bouzeron

Burgundy, France

Zitsa

Epirus, Greece

What it tastes like

Body

Medium

Acidity

Fresh

Tannin

Fine

Oak

A touch of oak

Ripeness

Ripe

Concentration

Medium

Reds

Medium-bodied and fresh, with fine tannin; red fruit, black fruit and a floral lift.

red fruit · black fruit · floral · stony

Body

Lightish

Acidity

Bright

Oak

No oak

Ripeness

Fresh

Concentration

Medium

Whites

On the lighter side and bright; orchard fruit, citrus and tropical fruit.

apple and pear · citrus · tropical · herbal · stony

Cork's estimate.

Climate

ContinentalMediterranean influenceStrong diurnalsHigh rainfall

Continental with strong Mediterranean and Pannonian influences depending on the DAC. Hot summers, cold winters, and high diurnal range thanks to the eastern Alps to the west and the Pannonian plain to the east. Relatively high rainfall compared to other Austrian zones gives the green, lush landscape its name.

Terroir

LimestoneSchistBasaltTuffGneissSteep slopes

Highly varied: limestone-and-schist (Sausal in Südsteiermark), basalt and tuff (Vulkanland), gneiss and slate (Weststeiermark). The shared element is steepness — most quality vineyards are on hillside terraces with great drainage.

Typical Aromas

GooseberryYellow applePearWhite flowersLime peelCrushed stoneCranberrySpice

Explore the aroma wheel