Silvaner

Silvaner is a quiet aristocrat of the European wine landscape. Originally hailing from the Alpine region, it has found its true home in the lime-rich soils of Central Europe. Far removed from loud primary fruit, the variety is characterised by a fine, herbal spice, earthy depth, and a dense texture that reflects the soil on which it grows as if through a magnifying glass. This gripping mineral character is particularly striking at the Luckert - Zehnthof estate, where the grape rises to delicate, puristic greatness on Franconian shell limestone.

That Silvaner can also tread idiosyncratic paths in the cooler north is demonstrated by Carl-Friedrich L. Walther on the Saale-Unstrut, with precise wines, some of which are skin-contact or aged under flor yeast. Whether single-varietal or as a structure-giving partner in Alsace alongside Auxerrois and Pinot Gris at Trapet Alsace: this traditional grape variety rewards attention with a deep, calm complexity.