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Austria now has a tenth DAC wine growing region: Schilcherland DAC. It comprises the former wine-growing region of Western Styria with a vineyard area of 546 hectares as well as the cadastral municipality of Obergreith. Here the red grape variety Blauer Wildbacher is used to produce the rosé wine Schilcher.
The abbreviation DAC stands for "Districtus Austriae Controllatus". DAC wines are particularly typical for their region of origin and must meet additional requirements in addition to those for quality wine. The Schilcher owes its name to the iridescent play of colors in different shades of rosé, which is typical for it. It was first mentioned as "Schiller" at the end of the 16th century in today's West Styria.
The new protected designation of origin knows two levels: "Schilcherland DAC Klassik" or "Schilcherland DAC" with indication of the location (Austrian: Ried). Both variants must consist to hundred percent of Blauer Wildbacher, must be dry developed and have in the taste picture aromas of strawberries, red currants and raspberries as well as optionally also elderberry blossoms and Cassis. The grapes must come from the defined area and have been harvested by hand.
Schilcherland DAC Klassik must have an alcohol content between eleven and twelve percent by volume. Schilcherland DAC with indication of location should be stronger and more spicy, the alcohol content must be at least twelve percent by volume. On the bottle label the indication "Ried" has to be mentioned before the name of the vineyard.
All wines from the former wine-growing region of Western Styria which do not meet the requirements for Schilcherland DAC may in future only be marketed under the superordinate regional designation "Styria".