Štajerska Wine Region - Grape Varieties

Welschriesling

Welschriesling is the most widely grown variety in Štajerska. It originates from France and spread to Slovenia at the beginning of the 19th century via Germany. Some sources claim it may have originated from Croatia. The variety is important in the Pannonian Plain – in Slovenia, in Croatia (Graševina), in Austria (Welschriesling), in Hungary (Olaszriesling) and in Serbia.

Welschriesling is a highly adaptable variety. It is not demanding in terms of sites and soils, but it achieves the best results on good vineyard locations and on well-drained sandy and loamy soils. It is resistant to frost and flowers well. It ripens later, especially on fertile soils, where it also yields very well.

The aroma of young wines recalls apples and citrus fruits. Mature wine recalls linden blossom and acacia, while wines of special quality recall dried fruit, walnuts, almonds and honey.

Welschriesling enables the production of wines of many different quality levels, from fresh, easy-drinking wines to complex wines suitable for ageing. It is also an excellent base for sparkling wines and predicate wines.

Vineyard area:

975 hectares

Special feature:

Welschriesling is the most widely planted variety in most subregions. The largest share of wines of special quality is made from Welschriesling.

Sauvignon

Sauvignon is the second variety by vineyard area, but in terms of economic importance and the results it delivers, it may even be the most important variety in Štajerska. It originates from France and arrived in Štajerska in the mid-19th century.

Sauvignon is a mid-late ripening variety and thrives on different sites and soils. It is vigorous and requires precise work in the vineyard. Due to cool nights and sunny days during ripening, with proper management of growth and yields, Štajerska offers ideal conditions for expressing its characteristics.

Sauvignon aromas are attractive, rich and very diverse. They can recall elderflower, hay, tomato leaves, gooseberry, nettle, blackcurrant, tropical fruits such as mango and papaya, bell pepper, passion fruit and citrus.

Styrian Sauvignon delights with its bouquet, freshness and drinkability in every vintage. The variety is characterised by a strong ability to express its site. With its diverse subregions, differences between vintages and production methods, Štajerska is an ideal place to discover the many faces of this variety.

Vineyard area: 640 hectares

Special feature: Sauvignon is an important variety in all Styrian subregions. Less known is that it ages excellently. At Ptuj Cellar they keep the 1921 vintage, which has been verified to still be in excellent condition.

Chardonnay

Chardonnay is one of the most widely grown varieties in the world. It originates from Burgundy in France. It arrived in Slovenia in the 19th century and is cultivated in all wine-growing regions.

Chardonnay buds early and ripens mid-late. It is not demanding in terms of sites, yields well and is resistant to frost and drought. Deep, fertile, well-drained soils and sunny, warm sites suit it best.

Globally, it is not considered a particularly aromatic variety. However, in Štajerska, Chardonnay is distinguished by an elegant, characteristic and recognisable bouquet of apples, peaches, pears and quince, as well as aromas of citrus, melon, banana, mango and pineapple. If produced in wooden barrels and with malolactic fermentation, a pleasant buttery note can be detected in the wine.

Regardless of the production method, wines made from fully ripe grapes age very well. Chardonnay is also one of the most common varieties in Štajerska for sparkling wine production.

Vineyard area: 490 hectares

Special feature: Chardonnay is the most represented variety in the Radgona subregion, where sparkling wine production has a long tradition.

Yellow Muscat

Yellow Muscat is a grape variety known worldwide under various names; its original name is Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains. It originates from the Mediterranean area and is one of the oldest varieties in Štajerska.

The vine requires well-drained, loamy-sandy soils on marl and the best, sunny, airy sites that are not exposed to frost. It buds early and ripens mid-late, usually in the second half of September.

Wines produced from Yellow Muscat offer intense aromas. It has a pronounced muscat character by which it can easily be recognised among other white wines. The aromas recall grapes, anise, lemon, citrus peel, tropical fruit, lychee and, of course, muscat notes.

In Štajerska, Yellow Muscat is often produced with residual sugar. With careful cellar work, it retains the varietal character of the grapes exceptionally well even in the bottle.

Vineyard area: 408 hectares

Special feature – interesting fact: It is one of the oldest grape varieties in the world, known since ancient times.

Riesling

Riesling is an eminent old variety. It originates from the Rhine region in Germany, where it is called Riesling. It was brought to Štajerska in 1822 by Archduke Johann, who planted it on the Meranovo estate near Limbuš.

Riesling is a demanding variety that requires lighter, well-drained soils and sunny, airy sites. It buds late and is fairly resistant to winter frost. The grapes ripen late and yields are moderate.

Riesling is an aromatic variety offering a whole range of luxurious scents: from peach, apricot, linden blossom, lemon, pineapple, quince, rose and acacia to aromas of struck match, creamy notes and hints of petrol, which become more pronounced with age.

Here it appears in different styles: varietal, dry, off-dry or very sweet in the style of late harvest, dry berry selection or ice wine. Among white wines, it probably has the best ageing potential.

Vineyard area: 430 hectares

Special feature: It has many synonyms and is related to numerous well-known varieties worldwide. It is considered the king of white wines.

Furmint/Šipon

Furmint is considered one of the oldest noble grape varieties. Its origin is not fully clarified. According to some sources, it was brought a thousand years ago from Georgia to Hungary and Slovenia. Without a doubt, it has been present in Tokaj and in Štajerska for centuries and can rightfully be regarded as our oldest domestic variety.

Furmint buds early, ripens late and therefore has the longest growing season. It has medium-sized clusters and yields well. It requires the best, higher-altitude, sunny sites and lighter, sandy, well-drained soils. Due to early budbreak it is sensitive to spring frosts, and due to late ripening also to winter frosts.

Furmint is a variety with a delicate yet refined aromatic profile, recalling apples, pears, also citrus, mint and chamomile. With moderate yields and full ripeness it produces outstanding wines with pronounced freshness, excellent wines of special quality, all the way to dry berry selection. The best wines gain in quality, depth and complexity over the years, while retaining freshness very well.

In Štajerska, the largest share of Furmint is found in the Ljutomer–Ormož Hills and in Haloze, where it is increasingly establishing itself as an excellent and recognisable local variety.

Vineyard area: 362 hectares

Special feature: Slovenia ranks second in the world in the production of this variety, right after Hungary.

Pinot Blanc

Pinot Blanc is an internationally widespread variety and the youngest member of the Pinot family. It arose as a mutation of Pinot Gris, which in turn mutated from Pinot Noir. Its homeland is France, where it bears the original name Pinot Blanc. In our vineyards it has been present since the beginning of the 19th century.

It is a grateful, less demanding vine that grows on different soils and sites, but performs best on well-drained sandy-loam soils. It ripens mid-late and is fairly resistant to frost.

Pinot Blanc produces wines of delicate aromas with fruity and floral nuances reminiscent of apples, quinces, pears, citrus and white pepper. In mature wines, aromas of quince and caramel are more pronounced. On the best sites and with longer bottle ageing, it reaches excellent quality.

As a varietal wine in Štajerska, it is not very widespread. Due to its gentle bouquet and moderate acidity, it is an ideal blending partner with other white varieties. It is also used for sparkling wine production.

Vineyard area: 204 hectares

Special feature: For a long time, there was confusion in the world and in Slovenia regarding naming and mix-ups with Chardonnay, until ampelographers established and clearly explained that these are two different varieties.

Pinot Gris

Pinot Gris is a variety created by a mutation of Pinot Noir from Burgundy in France, where it has been known for centuries and from where it spread to our area as early as the 18th century.

It is not demanding in terms of sites; it performs better on not overly dry, more fertile soils. It buds early; after ripening it is a mid-late variety and fairly resistant to winter frost. Yields are medium and regular.

Wine from Pinot Gris is golden-yellow with a pink hue. It has an elegant, lasting, varietal fruity bouquet. Notes can include apples, pineapple, oranges, lemon and white peach. More mature wines develop richer and more complex aromas of honey, spices, tropical fruit and nuts.

In Štajerska, Pinot Gris grapes reach excellent ripeness and produce rich, powerful wines with moderate acidity. Due to the reddish colour of the berries, the wine is often slightly rosé-tinted.

Vineyard area: 218 hectares

Interesting fact: From France, the variety first spread to Germany, where it received the name Ruländer – after the wine merchant Ruland. This name was also used in Slovenia until a few decades ago.

Ranina

Ranina is an indigenous Slovenian variety. In 1900 it was discovered by the banker and landowner Clotar Bouvier in his vineyards near Gornja Radgona. It is probably a spontaneous cross between vines from the Pinot group and Yellow Muscat.

It is a very early variety. It ripens among the first, sometimes already in August. It is not demanding in terms of sites. It yields moderately, sometimes irregularly, and is resistant to winter frosts.

The wines have a lower level of acidity and a gentle aromatic note of peaches with a subtle muscat touch. The taste is full; with riper grapes it becomes more robust and richer, with gentle acidity.

Ranina is the earliest variety and allows very early production of must or young wine. From overripe grapes, excellent sweet predicate wines can also be produced.

Vineyard area: It is found only in Štajerska.

Interesting fact: Due to its thicker berry skin, Ranina is also suitable as a table grape.

Traminer

Traminer is one of the oldest grape varieties in Europe. Its exact origin is not fully clarified. According to some sources, it is a mutation of the Savagnin variety. The name is said to come from the South Tyrolean town of Tramin.

Traminer is a demanding variety that requires fertile soils and good, sunny sites. It buds early, ripens mid-late and has low yields. It is highly resistant to frost.

Traminer is an aromatic variety with a characteristic and intense aroma reminiscent of roses, lychee, passion fruit, raisins, dried fruit, oriental spices and honey. The wine is golden-yellow with copper tones, lower in acidity and very rich in flavour.

In Štajerska, Traminer ripens excellently, so the wine is always rich, often as a predicate wine with residual sugar, and it ages very well.

Vineyard area: 156 hectares

Special feature: A special characteristic of Traminer is its tendency to mutate, which is why three main types are known: red, yellow and fragrant Traminer, differing in berry colour and aroma.

Blaufränkisch

Most experts assumed that Blaufränkisch originated in Austria, Hungary or Croatia. In 2016, a group of German scientists published that the origin of the variety is the Štajerska Slovenija wine-growing region.

Blaufränkisch is a vigorous variety that yields abundantly and fairly regularly. It buds early and ripens later. It is not demanding in terms of soils, but for good quality it must be planted on good sites. It is not particularly sensitive to frost.

The wines are medium-deep to deep in colour, with a distinctive and elegant fruity bouquet that in youth recalls raspberry, currant or mulberry, and with ageing cherry, sour cherry and red forest fruits. Notes of toast and black pepper may also be perceived.

In Štajerska, Blaufränkisch can produce rich red wines. When young they are fruity and spicy, with a medium level of tannins and lively acidity; when mature they become velvety, complex and have very good ageing potential.

Vineyard area: 134 hectares

Special feature: DNA analyses have established that one of the parents of Blaufränkisch is the white variety Belina (Gouais Blanc), which is also one of the parents of Šipon, Riesling and Chardonnay—making them half-siblings of Blaufränkisch.

Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir is considered the oldest variety used for winemaking, known since Roman times. Its origin is not fully clarified, but it is believed to originate from Burgundy, where it is most widely planted and where the oldest records of its cultivation exist. It is the most important red variety of temperate climates, including Štajerska.

Pinot Noir is demanding in terms of soil, site and cultivation in general. It buds early, ripens mid-late and has low yields. It is sensitive to frost. The best sites are required, where even in less favourable years it can reach good sugar levels.

Wines from Pinot Noir have a lighter, ruby-red colour and a refined aroma reminiscent of blackberries, strawberries, raspberries and cherries, also violets or roses. They contain fewer tannins; the taste is elegant, harmonious and fruity.

In Štajerska, grapes of Pinot Noir grown on good sites and at good ripeness can produce exceptional red wines. The variety is also an excellent base for sparkling and rosé wines.

Vineyard area: 125 hectares

Special feature: Pinot Noir is one of the most appreciated grape varieties in the world due to its elegance and refinement.