Sylvaner
APPEARANCE
ON THE VINE: Quite large berries, with skin that’s tougher than most other white grape varieties. The bunch is short and shouldered.
IN THE GLASS: Clear pale hue with a greenish tint.
SMELL
Fruit salad with touches of granadilla, lime, tropical punch and Muscat.
TASTE
Sylvaner has a spicy aftertaste. A fuller flavour is obtained from vineyards that are older and fruit that is harvested riper. As the wine matures, it may develop kerosene, Riesling-like flavours.
ORIGIN
Sylvaner is the French name for the German variety known as Silvaner. The largest plantings of Silvaner occur in Germany, where it replaced Elbling in the first half of the 20th century to become the country's most planted grape variety. More recently, its status has been succeeded by the earlier ripening, higher yielding Müller-Thurgau. Sylvaner is said to have originated in Austria, as can be deduced from its Rheingau synonym Österreicher, though some believe Transylvania is the grape's true birthplace. Wild vines cultivated on the banks of the Danube were forerunners of modern day Sylvaner, while a variety known as Silvaner was cultivated extensively throughout the vineyards of medieval Germany.
IN SOUTH AFRICA
Sylvaner was introduced in the '70s, with the German winemaking influence prevailing in South Africa at the time. Nederburg bottled a few vintages until the variety was culled due to lack of demand. Today, Overgaauw is the only estate to promote a single varietal Sylvaner in the Cape, though production is tiny.
ELSEWHERE IN THE WORLD
Besides Germany and France, Sylvaner is also grown in Slovenia, Russia, Hungary and Switzerland. California and Australia have small plantings, too.
AGEING POTENTIAL
In years past, Sylvaner was reputed to age as well as Riesling. Recent vintages tend to be for earlier drinking.
MATCHING WITH FOOD
Seafood, especially mussels.
SERVING TEMPERATURE
Between 8° and 14° C.