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2021 Weingut Tement Sauvignon Blanc Zieregg Gross Lage Sudsteiermark
97 RP
As low as:
$79.99
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Wine Details for 2021 Weingut Tement Sauvignon Blanc Zieregg Gross Lage Sudsteiermark
| Type of Wine |
Austria White
: Few regions offer as much quality and diversity among their whites as Austria. Infused with the essence of varietals such as Gruner Veltliner, Welshriesling, and Pinot Gris (among others), these wines range from very dry to exceptionally sweet and often come with extraordinary aging potential. Give in to their charms, and come out changed forever. |
|---|---|
| Varietal |
Sauvignon Blanc
: The varietal of Sauvignon Blanc, which hails from Western France and now successfully grown in emerging and established wine regions all over the world, is an ancient grape. Sauvignon Blanc and its red counterpart, Cabernet Franc, gifted to the world of wine its offspring, Cabernet Sauvignon. Its progeny has become the most popular and widely planted varietal in the world but Sauvignon Blanc is no slouch, ranking among the top ten, itself. Its exact emergence upon the earth is still undetermined, but appears to be indigenous to central France (the Loire Valley) or to the southwest France (Bordeaux). There is still discussion as to Sauvignon Blanc’s actual origins, with both Bordeaux and the Loire claiming to be the grape’s homeland. Both fashion incredible wine from the varietal and have been a leading force for the wine’s world-wide popularity. Sauvignon Blanc is so popular today, that 123,000 hectares are planted to the varietal across the world, ranking third among all white wine producing varietals, behind only Airen (218,000ha) and Chardonnay (211,000ha). The origin dispute aside, the grape’s versatility means its regions and styles are remarkably diverse, both within France and internationally. Sauvignon Blanc’s geographical spread and versatility means it is found in a range of styles from classic dry white wines to individual, highly aromatic international interpretations to highly unctuous, sweet wines. The Loire appellations of Sancerre and Pouilly-Fume produce, arguably, the greatest example of the quintessential Sauvignon Blanc offering, often as a single-varietal and unoaked bringing forth wines that are mineral, citrusy, steely, bright and reasonably long-lived. Pouilly and Sancerre are home to some of the top selling Sauvignon Blanc domains in the world, from Dageuneau (Pouilly-Fume) to Vacheron (Sancerre). Bordeaux also produces a classic dry white from Sauvignon Blanc, but is most often in the form of a blend of Sauvignon and Semillon. Haut-Brion Blanc, Pavillon Blanc de Chateau Margaux (100% Sauvignon Blanc) and Cos d’Estournel Blanc are some of the top selling, quality white Bordeaux offerings. Whereas the typical winemaking techniques of Loire do not involve oak-aging, it most often does occur in Bordeaux, giving the wine a signature texture and a mix of herbal and tropical aromas. In Sauternes (including Barsac) a very unique winegrowing method is implemented. The grapes of Sauvignon Blanc (Semillon and Muscadelle) endure a long hang time in which the late Autumn fog and humid climate attracts Botrytis Cinerea, a fungus that attacks the grape, also known as noble rot. The result is an unctuous, utterly delicious golden liquid that has placed the wines of Sauternes as some of the most characteristic and expensive in the world. Chateau d’Yquem and Chateau Climens are undoubtedly among the top producers in the region. Outside of France, Sauvignon Blanc, with its diverse and easily manipulated qualities has grown in popularity and now inhabits over 38 countries in some of the greatest terroir hotspots including New Zealand, California, Chile, Spain and Australia. Sauvignon Blanc arrived in California in the 1860’s but the varietal’s mainstream influence on American consumers wouldn’t come until 1966 when Robert Mondavi fashioned a dry white in the style of a Loire wine, naming it Fume Blanc. The varietal has only grown in quality and popularity in America since. Sauvignon Blanc thrives in terroirs and climates that mimic that of the Loire Valley, where it perhaps, reaches its full zenith. The soil consists heavily of flint (silica), which gives it a smoky aroma found in both Pouilly-Fume and Sancerre. However, Sauvignon Blanc is quite adaptable to a myriad of terroirs around the world, revealing each terroir through the wine itself. The varietal of Sauvignon Blanc is simply tremendous in its quality, non-discrimination of its elements (to a degree) and has fashioned some of the world’s most intriguing array of wines. |
| Country |
Austria
: The landlocked country of Austria, in the heart of Europe, is a land of breathtaking beauty; from its rolling hills, steep slopes and valleys to its many terraces and specific regional sites which possess features that belong to the visible charm of the country’s landscape. Hidden beneath the precious soils and rocks of this wondrous landscape, which may not be visible, but of great importance to winemaking is the life-blood of the land because it significantly influences the choice of grape variety and vineyard management. This geological and vinification symbiosis has become an incredible proficiency that Austrian winemakers have honed over a long period, creating wines that truly define the terroir. Of all the major winegrowing regions in Austria, Wachau, Kremstal and Kamptal have certainly proved to be the finest locations for cultivating high quality grapes. These regions reside on the eastern part of the country, where the terroir and climate are perfectly attuned to the varietals cultivated. Lower elevations consist largely of rich, deep soils composed mostly of loess, giving way to heavy, fruit-forward wines. The many hilly and terraced vineyards are composed of free-draining gravel, which allows for the production of age-worthy wines. Due to the country’s location and the presence of the Alps, there is very little Mediterranean influence, thus creating a strongly continental climate. Warming easterly breezes and high sunshine hours provide plenty of ripening opportunities for the grapes. Ripening happens slowly and evenly here, creating a balance between sugar and acidity in the grapes and, in turn, making balanced wines. However, the climate is still tempered by the presence of the Danube and the Neusidelersee Lake to the south, creating a myriad of micro-climates and further developing complex growing conditions. Austria is renowned for its world-class production of Gruner Veltliner, its most important and most widely planted grape variety. It accounts for 32.5 percent of all vineyard space. In the past, the country was known for its sweet and botrytized version of the varietal, but producers have turned to making a more consumer-friendly, crisp, aromatic style. This modern approach has allowed its star varietal to be mentioned alongside some the finest whites on today’s market. Riesling ranks second among all white grapes grown. The finest examples of these two varietals hail from its three main growing regions (Wachau, Kremstal and Kamptal). White varieties truly dominate the country’s production; of the 44,913 hectares under vine, 30,300 are cultivated to white grape varieties, which include Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Welschriesling and Pinot Blanc (known here by its German name Weissburgunder). Red wine production may be overshadowed, but to be overlooked. Red grape varieties, such as Blaufrankisch, Saint-Laurent, Pinot Noir (Blauburgunder) and its most prized red varietal, Zweigelt, flourish in the large Austrian region of Burgenland, producing wines of incredible intrigue. Zweigelt is the second most widely planted varietal in Austria, accounting for 13.9 percent of all vineyard space and produces richly colored wines with a deep, bright core of spiced cherry and raspberry flavors. The Austrian wine industry has been molded not only by its prized terroir, but also by the talent and determination of its vintners. Producers such as Heidi Shrock and Weingut Prager have risen to world-class status and are commanding global recognition. Producers may be turning to modernized ways of appeasing ever-changing palates, but is also balancing it with traditional methods, retaining such classics as the sweet Ausbruch and Strohwein. Stricter wine laws and regulations have greatly improved the quality of winemaking and in the process, has garnered world-wide attention. Austrian producers are preserving an age old tradition that began over 2000 years ago, yet reforming it into one of the leading wine producing countries in the world. |
| Region | Steiermark |
| Subregion | Sudsteiermark |