Wine Rap

From "Sauerfäule" to "Südsteiermark"

German Sauerfäule .wav .mp3 .rm
English sour rot 255kB 13kB 40kB
Definition Aspergillus, Botryosphaeria, Cladosporium, Monila, Penicillium, Sclerotinia and Saccaromyces---Diseases affecting vines and grapes.

German Säureregulierung .wav .mp3 .rm
English acidification 306kB 15kB 40kB
Definition The common practice in warmer climates of increasing the acidity of must or wine. (North European winemakers joke that they are willing to accept RCGM from the south only if the southern winemakers will take their excess acidity).

German Scheitermost .wav .mp3 .rm
English press must 255kB 13kB 40kB
Definition The inferior quality juice that is squeezed from the pomace after the free-run and first gentle pressing; not used in quality wines.

German Schilcher .wav .mp3 .rm
English Austrian rosé from Blauer Wildbacher grapes 196kB 10kB 40kB
Definition Still or sparkling rosé wine made from Blauer Wildbacher grapes, typically with very racy acidity.

German Schmelz, Reif .wav .mp3 .rm
English bloom 196 | 204kB 10 | 10kB 40 | 40kB
Definition The whitish waxy layer that covers and protects grapes.

German Schönung .wav .mp3 .rm
English fining 221kB 11kB 40kB
Definition The process of clarification and stabilization of a wine.

German Schwarzfäule .wav .mp3 .rm
English black rot 281kB 14kB 40kB
Definition Disease caused by the fungus Guignardia bidwelli that spreads in mild wet weather attacking young shoots, leaves, and berries. Controlled by fungicides.

German Seihmost .wav .mp3 .rm
English free run juice 221kB 11kB 40kB
Definition The juice that drains off on its own without pressing freshly crushed grapes.

German Smaragd .wav .mp3 .rm
English   196kB 10kB 40kB
Definition A special category for wines from Wachau. These full bodied wines have an alcohol content of at least 12.5%, are dry, and may never be chaptalized.

German Spätlese .wav .mp3 .rm
English late harvest 238kB 12kB 40kB
Definition This rank of quality for Austrian wine requires that the grapes have a minimum sugar weight of 19° KMW. Grape harvest is restricted to a maximum of 9,000 kg per hectare.

German Spätrot .wav .mp3 .rm
English Zierfandler, an indigenous Austrian grape 255kB 13kB 40kB
Definition Austrian synonym for Zierfandler that aptly describes its blushing red in late stages of ripeness.

German St. Laurent .wav .mp3 .rm
English Along with Zweigelt and Blaufrankisch, one of Austria's most noble indigenous varieties for red wines
 54kB 18kB 78kB
Definition This grape belongs to the Burgundy family and, like Pinot Noir, is difficult to grow. Wines from this grape have amarelle cherry, blackberry and boysenberry aromas and good tannins. They are often elegant and reminiscent of a more powerful Pinot Noir. One of Austria's most interesting varieties for red wines.

German Steckengebliebene Gärung .wav .mp3 .rm
English stuck fermentation 391kB 19kB 78kB
Definition An alcoholic fermentation that ceases before completion and leaves the wine seriously threatened by oxidation and bacterial disease (Ask a winemaker about how to get a fermentation going again and watch him break out in a cold sweat).

German Stehenlassen .wav .mp3 .rm
English skin contact (white wines) 247kB 12kB 40kB
Definition A technique used to produce more flavorful white wine. The must is allowed to have contact with the skins for up to 8 hours or more at a cool temperature. Risky with tainted grapes.

German Steiermark .wav .mp3 .rm
English Styria 221kB 11kB 40kB
Definition The wine region Steiermark is divided into three appellations: Südsteiermark, Südoststeiermark, and Weststeiermark.

German Steinfeder .wav .mp3 .rm
English   264kB 13kB 40kB
Definition A special category for wines from Wachau. These light, fruity wines have an alcohol content of 11% and should be drunk young. They are always dry and have not been chaptalized.

German Strecker (einjähriges Holz) .wav .mp3 .rm
English cane 200kB 10kB 40kB
Definition The stem of a mature grapevine shoot.

German Streckererziehung .wav .mp3 .rm
English Guyot vine training 336kB 16kB 51kB
Definition A common vine training system in Austria.

German Streckerschnitt .wav .mp3 .rm
English cane pruning 263kB 13kB 40kB
Definition A common form of winter pruning in Austria.

German Strohwein .wav .mp3 .rm
English dried grape wine 252kB 13kB 40kB
Definition This rank of quality for Austrian wine requires that the grapes a minimum must weight of 25° KMW. The harvested grapes must be stored and dried on straw for a minimum of 3 months before vinification. Strohwein must have a minimum alcohol content of 5%.

German Südburgenland .wav .mp3 .rm
English South Burgenland 284kB 14kB 40kB
Definition Only 450 hectares of vineyards in this idyllic countryside carry Blaufränkisch, Zweigelt, Welschriesling, and Weissburgunder on their heavy, iron-rich loamy soils. The average winery in this appellation has only ¼ hectare of vineyard making it an appellation of eccentric part-time wine makers. Blaufränkisch is perhaps the most expressive variety of this district's terroir.

German Südoststeiermark .wav .mp3 .rm
English Southeast Styria 336kB 16kB 51kB
Definition Spicy wines grow on 1,110 hectares in this area. The soils are basalt and volcanic, as well as weathered rock and sandy, heavy loam. The wineries of this region are very small and many have their own Buschenschank where their wines are sold by the glass. As a result very little wine from this area ever makes it beyond the border. Traminer is a specialty in this area where it thrives on volcanic soil and can fully develop its flowery aroma and full-bodied spice. Typical Styrian acidity keeps it from tasting like Granny's scented bath soap.

German Südsteiermark .wav .mp3 .rm
English South Styria 315kB 15kB 51kB
Definition This wildly romantic district is geographically the smallest of the Styria with only 1,740 of vineyards planted on slate, sand, marl and limey soils, but the greatest number of Styrian wineries are located here. This area is predestined for Sauvignon Blanc, but Morillon, Weissburgunder and Ruländer enjoy success here as well. Typical for this appellation is the tart Welschriesling and a rare specialty is the bone dry, aromatic Gelber Muskateller.