Ried Zieregg “XT” Sauvignon Blanc Große STK 2015 1500ml Magnum

Wine Description for Ried Zieregg “XT” Sauvignon Blanc Große STK 2015 1500ml Magnum by Tement

Character

Tement is one of the defining estates of South Styria, and Ried Zieregg ranks among the Grand Cru vineyard sites of the region. The “XT” – an abbreviation for “Extra Time”, referring to extended maturation – represents the most ambitious interpretation of this vineyard. In magnum format, this Sauvignon Blanc develops with particular elegance and longevity. The designation Große STK stands for Austria’s traditional wine estates (Styria Terra Klassik), an association of leading Styrian wineries with strict quality criteria.

Terroir & Origin

The Ried Zieregg lies on the steep slopes of South Styria, that gently undulating border region with Slovenia, which has become world-renowned for its mineral Sauvignon Blancs. The Opok soils – a calcareous marl formation from fossilised marine deposits – impart the wines with their characteristic tension and salinity. The Pannonian climate with cool nights and warm days creates ideal conditions for physiological ripeness whilst maintaining freshness.

Grape Variety & Vinification

Sauvignon Blanc has found its own distinct identity in South Styria – less explosive than in New Zealand, less restrained than on the Loire. Tement’s “XT” line is characterised by selective hand-harvesting, spontaneous fermentation and extended yeast ageing. The wine is aged partly in large wooden casks, which promotes texture and complexity without masking the fruit. The magnum format favours slower, more harmonious maturation.

Food Pairing Recommendations

A wine of this maturity and structure demands sophisticated cuisine: pan-fried turbot with herb butter, scallops with celeriac cream, sweetbreads in morel sauce or aged alpine cheese. Also an excellent choice with asparagus with Hollandaise sauce or truffle risotto. The maturity of the 2015 vintage also allows pairings with mildly spiced Asian dishes.