Is Sturm available outside Austria?

If we start at the very beginning (or as a typical Austrian song goes : “let’s start at the very beginning, a very good place to start”), what do you need to make wine? It all starts with grapes and essentially grape must.

The terms “Grape must” and “Wine” are precisely defined in the legislation of the European Union. For instance, the term “Wine” refers to the product obtained exclusively through complete or partial alcoholic fermentation of fresh or macerated grapes or grape must.

Depending on its quality level and origin, wine must also possess a certain level of total acidity as well as a minimum alcohol content or total alcohol.

So this brings us to our first question : What is Sturm?

Sturm is a young wine from Austria, especially popular around Vienna. Made from partially fermented grapes, it’s enjoyed in autumn during harvest time. Sturm is fresh, sweet, and a bit fizzy.

What is Sturm?

Sturm is a beverage made from partially fermented grapes. The must is pressed and fermented for just a day or two, until it reaches 4,5%. It then has to be chilled to slow or stop fermentation. All in all, Sturm is an effusive, cloudy, sugary grape juice that is hard to dislike!

By the way, Sturm means “storm” in German… I guess that’s where our cloudy drink got his name

However, beware because a glass is never enough and you are never really sure about the alcohol content! You’ll find yourself drinking glass after glass in a cosy Heuriger and end up somewhat tipsy!

Legally it has to be at least 1% but it can go up to 8% or more depending on the time it stays in the bottle. Some say : “the flavor and alcohol content change every day – and this is something that fans ofSturm really appreciate“

It is only available during harvest season, usually in September and October. It is roughly available for ten weeks and you can find it in Heurigen (or Buschenschank) or in supermarkets.

The term “Sturm” is a traditional designation that replaces the European Union’s regulated sales designation “teilweise gegorener Traubenmost g.g.A” (partially fermented grape must with protected geographical indication). The grapes used for the production of “Sturm” come from the wine regions of Weinland, Steierland, and Bergland.

Sturm is sold either from the bottle or directly from the tank. It used to be bottled in Doppler (squat-necked, two-liter bottles lovingly nicknamed “austromagnums”) but this has been abandonned seeing as it doesn’t fit into a domestic fridge. And this is more of a problem than it seems.

Indeed, the juice is still fermenting. And this chemical reaction produces gas (this is why you have gas in Champagne). So, in order to avoid bottles explosion, the screwcaps are often covered with a loose foil capsule. These are rarely airtight so the bottles must be handled carefully.

For the wineries, Sturm is an easy way to make money for the wineries, especially just after the harvest. But, yields being limited in Austria, this impact what’s left to sell…

Is Sturm available outside Austria?

While Sturm is most commonly found in Austria, it is possible to find it in certain specialized wine shops or establishments that cater to Austrian cuisine in other countries. Additionally, some Austrian winemakers may export Sturm to select international markets.

However, its availability outside Austria can be limited, and it may be more prevalent in areas with a significant Austrian population or strong interest in Austrian wines. If you’re specifically looking for Sturm, it would be best to inquire at local wine shops or establishments that specialize in Austrian wines in your area.

However, most European wine countries have their variants on Sturm, such as Federweisser in Germany, or vin bourru in French. But nobody has ever commercialized it like Austria.

Conclusion : Is Sturm available outside Austria?

Sturm is primarily associated with Austria, particularly the region of Vienna. It is a young wine made from partially fermented grapes, and it is traditionally enjoyed in autumn during the harvest season. Sturm is known for its fresh, sweet, and slightly fizzy taste.

Now that you know how it is made, you’ll understand it’s difficult to transport Sturm over long distances. So it’s generally not available outside of Austria. The best way to fully enjoy Sturm is visit Austria during harvest time!