Holunderblütensirup

Wine description for Elderflower Syrup by Nikolaihof

Colour & appearance

Pale, clear straw yellow with a delicate floral shimmer — like liquid sunlight captured in the bottle.

Nose

Intensely fragrant with freshly picked elderflowers, accompanied by hints of lemon balm and a fine, honeyed sweetness. An aromatic profile reminiscent of a warm June day at the lane’s edge.

Palate

Pleasantly sweet yet never cloying — the off-dry style ensures perfect balance. The floral aromatics carry beautifully, underpinned by a subtle citrus freshness that keeps the syrup lively.

Finish

Clean and floral, with a lingering note that evokes herbal tea rather than jam.

Terroir & origin

The blossoms are harvested from elder bushes in the Wachau, that Danube landscape where Nikolaihof has been rooted since Roman times. Built upon the foundations of the Favianis fort dating back to 63 BC, the Saahs family has tended Austria’s oldest winery here since 1894 — and clearly also gathers what blooms between the vine rows.

Food recommendations

Classically served with mineral water as a summer refresher. Beyond that, remarkably versatile: in desserts, drizzled over cake, stirred into jams, or as a delicate sweetener in salad dressings. Also an excellent base for cocktails.

Special features

Nikolaihof has been Demeter-certified since 1971 — Austria’s first biodynamic estate. That a house whose Rieslings are permitted to mature in cask for two decades and have earned 100 Parker points should also turn elderflowers into syrup speaks volumes about its approach to nature’s gifts: nothing is left to chance, not even the blossom by the wayside.