Johannisberg (sylvaner)

The sylvaner vine variety is generally considered to be from Austria. It is known as "the Austrian" in Germany. Nevertheless it does have ancestry from Transylvania, hence the name "sylvaner."

It was named johannisberg in Valais in the middle of the 19th Century. It was named after the Prince Metternich's Johannisberg Castle in Geissheim. In the beginning there was some confusion between gros-rhin (sylvaner) and petit-rhin (Riesling). Later, the gros-rhin was legally named johannisberg. The name sylvaner is now protected in Valais.

Sylvaner is a late vine variety of the second period. It is therefore harvested about ten days after chasselas. This plant has many qualities. It is vigorous, sets fruit easily and has a regular production. Moreover, its grapes produce sugar easily. But sylvaner does have a few weaknesses. It doesn't endure the cold, whether it's in the winter or in the spring, it doesn't resist well to mildew, powdery mildew and grey rot.

grappe johannisberg

Johannisberg is a wine with very complex aromas. It is generally rich, supple and mellow. Even though it is of medium acidity, it is very well balanced. Made as a dry wine, it has a complex bouquet with floral and fruity flavours accompanied by bitter almond fragrances. When left to over-ripen, it develops flavours resembling dried or crystallised fruit (orange, apricot, etc.) and honey. It therefore has a surprisingly long life expectancy for a white wine.

In Germany, sylvaner had pride of place, before Riesling. It represented 35% of the vineyards. From 1960 to 1996, its significance decreased; going from 24,000 hectares to 7,500. The surface area on which sylvaner is planted in France has also diminished, but to a lesser extent. It can only be found in Alsace, where it is has been awarded an AOC (guarantee of origin).

Sylvaner is also cultivated in Hungary, California, Australia, the Czech Republic, Italy, Austria, New Zealand, South Africa and Luxemburg.

In Valais, Sylvaner, which goes by the name of rhin, is the fourth most important vine variety, and the second for the whites. Being planted over 205 hectares, it is far behind pinot noir (1804 hectares), chasselas (1550 hectares) and gamay (881 hectares).

Johannisberg is the most popular wine to drink with asparagus. But it is also delicious with sauerkraut, shell fish, mushroom casserole or soft cheeses.