Schilcher – Austrian Rosé Wine
Schilcher with cold cuts (brettljause) is a regional speciality of Western Styria.
Overview
Schilcher is a speciality rosé wine produced solely in the Austrian region of Western Styria (Weststeiermark), in the districts of Deutschlandsberg and Voitsberg. With approximately 500 cultivated hectares, it is the smallest of all the wine-growing regions in Central Europe. The wine is made from the indigenous Blauer Wildbacher grapes known for its piquant spice and very pronounced acidity.
Schilcher can range from still to sparkling styles and can be white, pink, or red in color. The name Schilcher originates from the Middle High German word “schillern” meaning to radiate with colour.
Genuine Schilcher wine must carry the official emblem of the white horse (referring to the Lipizzans bred in Piber for the world-famous Spanish Riding School in Vienna) and also carry the official certification number of denomination.
Although, Schilcher was orginally a rustic “peasant” wine it has developed into a sought-after drink, thanks to the continual quality improvement provided by the ambitious wine-growers of the region.
Taste Profile
The wine has a strong acidity and is renowned for its very fruity, crisp and refreshing flavour. It should be drunk relatively young at a temperature of 9 to 11°C.
Wineries
The following are a list of wineries that produce schilcher.
Erzherzog Johann Wines
http://www.erzherzog.com
Oswald
http://www.trapl-schilcher.at
Schilcher Stöckl
http://www.klassischerschilcher.at
Strohmeier Winery
http://www.strohmeier.at
Viticulture Koller
http://www.koller-wein.at
Weingut Familie Jauk
http://www.jauk-wein.at
Further Information
For more information regarding Schilcher and the Styria wine region, you can visit these websites as listed below.
Steirischer Wein
http://www.steirischerwein.at
Steirische Tourism
http://www.steiermark.com
Some like it hot: Austrian wine-making – Geographical Magazine
http://www.geographical.co.uk/Magazine/Austrian_Wine_-_July_08.htmlic
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Category: Wine
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Suzanne Urpecz, creator and editor of The Hungarian Girl. Click on my About page for more info.
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Interesting. There is a rose-type wine in Germany called Schiller, because, as you explain, the wine “schillert”. This is due to the fact that it is made out of white and red grapes, ideally grown as field blends. Is the Schilcher perhaps also a blend?
http://www.schiller-wine.blogspot.com/2009/08/schillerwein-german-speciality.html
Hi Christian,
Thanks for your comment. I was lucky enough to sample Schiller when I was in Austria last fall. It’s rarely seen outside the region. As far as I know, the wine is only from a single grape (Blauer Wildbacher). Although, I know they make various styles including both still and sparkling. Sometimes they make brandy from it as well. I always enjoy trying the regional specialities.
Thanks. Schiller is only made in the region of Wuerttemberg in Germany, but I saw a Schiller also in Serbia, with Hungarian roots I believe. Do you know this one? http://www.schiller-wine.blogspot.com/2009/10/in-glass-schiller-from-serbia.html
I’ve never heard of Schiller from Serbia. It sounds like an interesting wine. The nutmeg and caraway must give it a very stong flavour. Wow, 17 percent alcohol. Thanks for sharing!