Sauvignon Blanc Ehrenhausen 2019
DAC Südsteiermark, Polz, 750 ml
| Grape variety: | Sauvignon Blanc |
| Producer: | Polz |
| Origin: | Austria / Steiermark / Südsteiermark |
| Other vintages: |
A product of the Marc Almert Selection III
With the Marc Almert Selection, the ASI Best Sommelier of the World 2019, presents you a personally compiled selection of wines that inspire and touch him.
Marc Almert about the Sauvignon Blanc Ehrenhausen
The fact that Styria produces some majestic wines gets almost completely overlooked on account of the region's many other marvellous products. Pumpkin seed oil, apples, fruit brandies, "Backhendl" (a local fried chicken delicacy)... and all of that in a landscape reminiscent of Tuscany. The Polz family refers to itself with tongue in cheek as "Now new since 1912" and has recently undergone a generational change. Erich and Christoph (the fourth generation) are now at the helm of the business and, with this local wine, have shown exactly what it is that makes a good Styrian Sauvignon Blanc so very special; more elegant than Marlborough, more straightforward than the Loire and very well-rounded on the palate. A great balance of exotic fruit, crisp acidity and chalky minerality. You'll find yourself reaching for a second bottle before your "Backhendl" is even ready...
Attributes
| Origin: | Austria / Steiermark / Südsteiermark |
| Grape variety: | Sauvignon Blanc |
| Label: | Vegan |
| Ripening potential: | 1 to 5 years after harvest |
| Drinking temperature: | 10 to 12 °C |
| Food Pairing: | Whole baked fish, Asparagus specialities |
| Vinification: | fermentation with grapes' own yeast, fermentation in wooden barrel |
| Harvest: | hand-picking |
| Maturation: | in large wooden barrel/foudre |
| Maturation duration: | 12 months |
| Volume: | 13.0 % |
| Note: | Contains sulphites |
Sauvignon Blanc
The Sauvignon blanc can be recognized with your eyes closed. Its typical bouquet is marked by green notes: freshly cut grass, tomato bunches, gooseberry. Citrus fruits, cassis and flint join into the mix. In warmer latitudes it also shows exotic aromas, such as passion fruit. Its acidity is decidedly lively. In all likelihood, it comes from the Loire Valley, where it is vinified in Pouilly-Fumé and Sancerre in its purest form: varietally, and without timber. In the 18th century, it found its way to Bordeaux. Ambitious producers assemble it there with Sémillon into substantial whites, which are aged in oak barrels. The Sauvignon blanc has been a sensational success in the past 20 years in New Zealand. With its refreshing sweet-and-sour style, winemakers from down under have conquered the world. The rich Sauvignons from Styria and crisp examples of South Tyrol and Friuli are worth mentioning as well. It pairs with anything from the sea. Or do it like they do on the Loire, and enjoy it with goat cheese.
Südsteiermark
Südsteiermark: Weisse Klasse in vielen Nuancen
Nirgendwo sonst zeigt der Sauvignon Blanc so einen Facettenreichtum wie in der Südsteiermark. Als «Steirische Klassik» lernen wir ihn geradlinig und erfrischend unkompliziert kennen, im «High End»-Bereich begegnet er uns als vielschichtige und auch lagerungsfähige Lagen-Selektion von alten Reben, die heute zumeist im grossen Eichenfass ausgebaut wird. Neben dem Sauvignon überzeugen hier besonders auch die Muskateller Weine. Sie vereinen intensive Aromatik mit animierender Bekömmlichkeit.
Steiermark
Styria: the fresh, white wave
The southern cultivation area of Austria surprises with its refreshing white wines. Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling and Chardonnay (referred to here as Morillon) impress with their own profiles. Since the opening of the border with Slovenia – where the Iron Curtain once hung in its more moderate form – a dynamic, cross-border wine culture has developed. It almost seems as if the vibrancy of the hilly landscapes is reflected in the wines themselves.
Austria
Austria – Sumptuous culture, accessible to all
Austria is characterized by unbelievable topographical diversity. A flat steppe in the east, forests and hills in the Alpine regions, wetlands and Mediterranean landscapes in the south. This in addition to a rich tradition and even greater love. It’s no surprise that the Romans found joy on this patch of Earth and cultivated wine growing. Austrian wine is not abundant, but it is high quality.
