Schilcher (wine)

Schilcher, rarely Schiller, is the name of an Austrian red wine of a pale red color. It is made from the red grape Blue Wildbacher in Styria and has a protected trade name: Schilcher must come from Styria. In its early stages of fermentation, the wine is offered as Schilcher Sturm.

Geography

In the south of Styria, which counts as a wine growing region Steirerland to the Austrian wine-growing areas, runs from north to south, the Schilcher wine route on the following stations: division side - Gundersdorf - St. Stefan - Greisdorf - Stainz ( with Stainz Castle ) - Vochera - Bad Gams - Castle torrent - Germany mountain - Swan mountain - Plains - Eibiswald

History

The name of the wine is derived from the bright red color of her dazzling ( Austrian " schilchern " for shimmer ); Apart from the shape Schiller is the origin of the name more clearly. The Blue Wildbacher vine that belongs to the red grape varieties, was probably already drawn 400 BC ( La Tène period ) by the Celts in the area of ​​today's Styria and the former Lower Styria from a native wild vine. 1580 the species was described in a wine book by John Rasch first time, in 1842 it was scientifically classified. Promotion of Schilcher production in Western Styria goes back to Archduke Johann, who sought the mid-19th century a new economic pillar for the region.

Pope Pius VI. made in 1782 on the trip to Vienna to Emperor Joseph II station in the Franciscan monastery at Maria Lankowitz Koeflach. About the Schilcher, the one served him for dinner, the Pope wrote, as a native Italian with low acid Südweinen probably more familiar than with Austrian plants, in his diary:

"You have set before us a pink vinegar, which they called Schilcher. "

Properties

Vine

The cultivation of the Blue Wildbacher Vine takes place in the Western Styrian hill country up to an altitude of 500 meters. The pure Schilcher acreage is more than 600 acres; they have quintupled since 1960 about.

Wine

The Schilcher wine enjoys variety protection. May be called " Schilcher " declared and sold a wine only when he was pressed to 100 percent from grapes of the Blue Wildbacher vine, which are also grown exclusively in Styria. The area of ​​protection of the Schilcher is since the amendment in 1976 of Austrian wine law.

In Western Styria the Schilcher is greatly appreciated, as " Schilcher mixture " ( Schilcher spritzer ) quite well as a thirst quencher. The Austrian poet Mary Holzinger describes the wine in a short poem:

Some authors argue contrast, the Schilcher do " rabidly " within the meaning of aggressive; that is why he is sometimes referred to as Rabiatperle. In view of the high acid content is also the jocular name "shirt spreader " in use.

Schilcher Sturm and other specialties

When not ausgegorener New wine, which is called in Austria Sturm, Schilcher is called Schilcher Sturm und impressed by its cloudy appearance, the pink appears to purple. It is drunk in the taverns of Western Styria in September and October; roasted chestnuts are traditionally served to. Schilcher is also made into sparkling wine, grappa or vinegar, just to jelly.