Bottler: Johannes Zillinger organic winery, Landstrasse 70, A-2245 Velm-Götzendorf / Austria
In the glass
Colour
Muted golden yellow
Nose
Fresh gooseberry and citrus zest, accompanied by elderflower, herbs and a subtle smoky-mineral undertone that lives up to the name "Fumé"
Palate
Juicy and lively on the palate with crisp acidity, notes of grapefruit and green apple, fine herbal spice and a long, mineral-fresh finish
Character
Precise and straightforward with biodynamic depth – a vibrant, terroir-driven white wine with tension and elegance at moderate alcohol
Pairing
Grilled goat's cheese, asparagus with herb vinaigrette, light fish dishes such as trout or char
Notes
Produced by Johannes Zillinger, one of Austria's leading biodynamic winemakers; the "Fumé" designation refers to the wine's smoky-mineral character, shaped by the limestone and sandstone soils around Velm-Götzendorf
Tasting note
Character
The NUMEN Fumé Blanc 2024 is a Sauvignon Blanc that deliberately steps out of the shadow of international expectations. Johannes Zillinger, one of the most consistent exponents of natural winemaking in the Weinviertel, has the gift of lending the variety a local identity rather than merely serving stylistic conventions. With an alcohol content of 12.0 % vol. and a dry character, this wine displays precision without heaviness – a wine that invites contemplation.
Terroir & Origin
The Weinviertel in northern Lower Austria is one of Austria’s largest wine regions by area and is shaped by continental influences: warm summers, cool nights and the characteristic loess soils that lend wines a fine mineral texture and freshness. This terroir is no given for Sauvignon Blanc – it is a challenge that Zillinger embraces with conviction. The cooler nights preserve the natural acidity and impart to the wine that liveliness which distinguishes it from richer, warmer vineyard sites.
Grape Variety & Vinification
The term “Fumé Blanc” is a deliberate reference to a more mature, oxidative or oak-driven style of Sauvignon Blanc – a tradition that traces back to Robert Mondavi and lends the wine greater depth and complexity than a fresh-aromatic standard style. With Zillinger, who is renowned for his biodynamic approach and minimal cellar intervention, this means: brief fermentation in amphorae and 16 months on the lees without intervention, neither fined nor filtered, to give the Sauvignon Blanc structure and ageing potential. The result is a wine that places origin above varietal character.
Food Pairing Suggestions
This wine demands dishes with character and substance. It harmonises beautifully with grilled fish, such as char or pike-perch, as well as with goat’s cheese and chèvre variations. Also asparagus with hollandaise sauce, herb risotto or light pasta with seafood are classic companions. Those who wish to enjoy the wine on its own will find in a cool glass in the evening a quiet yet convincing companion.
