Styria Sauvignon Blanc Trophy 2022: Origin with Finesse

The wines were judged in blind tastings at the end of June by a panel of experts, invited by Wein Steiermark, at the Silberberg technical college. The wines with the highest points were then tasted again in a final round. The panel consisted of Johannes Fiala, Boris Penkoff, Wolfgang Pfanner, Helmut Gramer and René Kollegger. Falstaff wine editor-in-chief Peter Moser, also a member of the jury, wrote the tasting notes.

The local wines from 2021 and 2020 were chosen as the theme of this year's Sauvignon Blanc varietal retrospective, while in the top red wines category, the vintages of 2020, 2019 and 2018 and older were put to the test.

Local wines 2021

1st place

Sauvignon Blanc Südsteiermark DAC Leutschach Sieme 2021

Oberer Germuth Family Winery, Leutschach

13,5 % Vol., DV. Light greenish yellow, silver reflections. Delicate floral aspects, white apple fruit, delicate lychee and guava, lime zest in the background. Medium-bodied, white fruit, fine acidity, delicate tannin on the finish, spicy-lemon aftertaste.

oberergermuth.com, € 12

2nd place

Sauvignon Blanc South Styria DAC Kitzeck-Sausal 2021

Felberjörgl Winery, Kitzeck

14 % Vol., DV. Light greenish yellow, silver reflections. After mango, yellow tropical fruit, fine grapefruit zest and some blossom honey on the nose. Juicy, elegant, fine apple fruit, freshly structured, mineral and well adhering, a multi-faceted wine to pair with food.

felberjoergl.at, € 11,50

3rd place (tied)

Sauvignon Blanc Südsteiermark DAC Kitzeck-Sausal Sieme 2021

Assigal Winery, Leibnitz

13.5% Vol. Light yellow-green, silver reflections.  Somewhat shy, fine white stone fruit nuances, hints of peach and grapefruit, plus lemony aspects. Medium complexity, mineral,

lively structure, fresh apple on the finish, offers uncomplicated drinking pleasure.

assigal.at, € 11,50

3rd place (tied)

Sauvignon Blanc Vulkanland DAC St. Anna 2021

Daniel Pfeifer Winery, Sankt Anna am Aigen

13 % Vol., DV. Light yellow-green, silver reflections. Fine meadow herbs, delicate tobacco spice, white fruit, grapefruit hints underneath. Medium body, white currants, fresh acidity, lemony-salty finish.

weinhof-pfeifer.at, € 12,80

Local wines 2020

1st place

Sauvignon Blanc Weststeiermark DAC Eibiswald 2020

Winery and Buschenschank Haring vlg. Pichlippi, Eibiswald

12,8 % Vol., DV. Light yellow-green, silver reflections. Fresh yellow tropical fruit aromas, some mango and papaya, delicate white flowers, a hint of grapefruit. Juicy, elegant, white fruit, fresh acidity, mineral-citric finish, good ageing potential.

pichlippi.at, € 12,50

2nd place

Sauvignon Blanc South Styria DAC Kitzeck-Sausal 2020

Schauer Winery, Kitzeck

12,5 % Vol., NK. Light yellow-green, silver reflections. Delicately smoky, reductive bouquet, fresh meadow herbs, tobacco nuances, blackberry leaves. Juicy, elegant, white stone fruit nuances, fine acidity, mineral and with very good length, good ageing potential.

winery-schauer.at, € 15,50

3rd place

Sauvignon Blanc Südsteiermark DAC Gamlitz 2020

Fritz and Karl Menhart Winery, Leibnitz

13% Vol., DV. Light yellow-green, silver reflections. Somewhat shy, fine white fruit nuances, lemony touch, a hint of gooseberries and peppers. Taut, tight knit, the acidity is full of finesse, appears very youthful, white currants on the finish, a lively wine to pair with food.

weinbau-menhart.at, € 13,50

Single-estate wines 2020

1st place

BIO Sauvignon Blanc Südsteiermark DAC Ried Steinbach 1STK 2020

Lackner-Tinnacher Winery, Gamlitz

13% Vol., VL. Light greenish yellow, silver reflections. Delicate smoky-reductive notes, tobacco nuances, yellow tropical fruit of mango, finely spicy bouquet. Medium-bodied, white apple, discreet sweetness, some caramel, fine acidity, discreet herbal spice on the finish, already developed.

tinnacher.at, € 26.

2nd place

Sauvignon Blanc Südsteiermark DAC Ried Welles 2020

Riegelnegg Winery - Olwitschhof, Gamlitz

13,8% Vol., NK. Light yellow-green, silver reflections. Fresh guava, a hint of tarragon, white currants, multi-faceted, finely spicy bouquet. Medium complexity, white apple fruit, fresh acidity, fine saltiness, lemony touch, a lively table wine.

riegelnegg.at, € 32,50

3rd place (tied)

Sauvignon Blanc Weststeiermark DAC Ried Kehlberg Falter EGO 2020

Falter Ego Winery, Graz

13.5% Vol., vino. Light yellow-green, silver reflections. Distinct reductive spiciness, already close to an aroma bouquet, dark currants, grapefruit hints underneath. Lime oil and St. John's wort, freshly structured, somewhat idiosyncratic aromatics, fresh and mineral, salty finish, a head of character.

falterego.at, € 20,50

3rd place (tied)

Sauvignon Blanc Südsteiermark DAC Ried Sulz Joseph 2020

Stefan Potzinger Winery, Gabersdorf

13,5% Vol., DV. Light greenish yellow, silver reflections. Fresh meadow herbs, delicate toasted aromas underneath, a hint of vanilla and nougat, yellow tropical fruit in the background. Juicy, elegant, well-integrated wood spice, fruity, lively acidity, mineral-salty finish, good ageing potential.

potzinger.at, € 29,90

Single-estate wines 2019

1st place

Sauvignon Blanc Südsteiermark DAC Ried Sernauberg Excellence 2019

Riegelnegg Winery - Olwitschhof, Gamlitz

14.2% Vol., NK. Medium yellow-green, silver reflections. Delicate blossom honey, yellow tropical fruit, candied orange zest, pineapple and mango background. Complex, full-bodied, fruity, elegant and adherent, integrated acidity, already well developed, versatile food wine.

riegelnegg.at, € 42

2nd place

Sauvignon Blanc Vulkanland DAC Ried Kirchenegg 2019

Winery Gölles, Fehring

13% Vol., DV. Light greenish yellow, silver reflections. Fine wood nuances, delicate hints of vanilla and nougat, yellow tropical fruit, fresh lime zest, attractive bouquet. Juicy, white fruit, green apple, fresh acidity, lemony-mineral finish, a food wine that is full of finesse.

weinbau-goelles.at, € 14,70

3rd place

Sauvignon Blanc Südsteiermark DAC Ried Gamlitzberg Reserve 2019

Strauss Gamlitz Winery, Gamlitz

13.5% Vol., DV. Light greenish yellow, silver reflections. Floral, fresh white stone fruit nuances, delicate gooseberry and guava, fresh grapefruit hints. Medium-bodied, white stone fruit, fine acidity, mineral-citric aftertaste, already easy to drink.

winery-strauss.at, € 25

Single-estate wines 2018 and older

1st place

Sauvignon Blanc Ried Kranachberg Reserve 2017

Hannes Sabathi Winery, Gamlitz

14% Vol., Vino. Light greenish yellow, silver reflections. Delicate smoky-roasted nuances, yellow tropical fruit, fine touch of guava, ripe gooseberries and cassis, great bouquet. Juicy and silky, fine flinty notes, the acidity is full of finesse, long lasting on the palate, a wine with length and character.

hannessabathi.at, € 49,50

2nd place

Sauvignon Blanc Südsteiermark DAC Ried Kranachberg Reserve 2018

Peter Skoff Winery - Domain Kranachberg, Gamlitz

14,5% Vol., DV. Medium yellow-green, silver reflections. Attractive fresh yellow tropical fruit, nuances of mango, some blossom honey, a hint of grapefruit zest, subtle herbal spice underneath. Full-bodied, elegant, white fruit, fine sweetness, integrated acidity, well developed and long lasting on the palate, a multi-faceted food wine.

peter-skoff.at, € 27,50

3rd place

Sauvignon Blanc Ried Pössnitzberg Old Vines 2015

Erwin Sabathi Winery, Leutschach an der Weinstraße

13.5% Vol., NK. Light greenish yellow, silver reflections. Inviting yellow tropical fruit, delicate mango, guava and pineapple, discreet blossom honey, a hint of tarragon in the background. Juicy, elegant, harmonious, fine white fruit, the structure is full of finesse, mineral and grippy, a versatile table wine.

sabathi.com, € 60,80

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