Hans Tschida is an international reference in the domain of sweet wines. In blind tastings his wines have repeatedly outclassed reputed Sauternes and Austrian renowned names such as Kracher.
The "Angerhof" is located in Illmitz, the sweet wine centre near to the Neusiedlersee in the most Eastern part of Austria, on the border with Hungary. The Neusiedlersee is the remains of a prehistorical salt sea. The frequent autumn mists favours the creation of "botrytis", the "noble" mould which gives an extra dimension to sweet wines.
Hans Tschida has focused on sweet wine in all of its forms: from the lighter spätlese to auslese, beerenauslese and trockenbeerenauslese. Specialties of the house are the "schilfwein" and the "eiswein". "Schilfwein" (also called "strohwein") is made of grapes dried on straw (and free of mould), "eiswein" is made of frozen grapes.
In his 14 acres of vineyards in the direct proximity of the Neusiedlersee Tschida is growing seven white varieties and a few red ones (in the first place Zweigelt, of which he equally makes a "schilfwein"). Among the white ones: Welschriesling, Sämling (= Scheurebe!), Muskat Ottonel, Chardonnay, Traminer, Weissburgunder, Bouvier.

A sweet cuvée of Chardonnay and Sämmling (a.k.a. Scheurebe). You really do not need to stop here if you do not like sweet wines. Because in this particular case the sweet fruit is supported by delicious acids. A nose of ananas, dried apricots, mango. Hints of blossom and thime add to the spiciness. A fine and elegant flavour with fresh fruit like mango, tangine. Ending on superbly fresh acids. A classy job at no price at all.

Eiswein is made of grapes which have been exposed to temperatures less than -8° Celsius during two consecutive nights. The grapes are pressed while still frozen, which reduces the water quantity and thus heightens the concentration and sugars. This results in a wine with an overwhelmingly sophisticated aroma and a concentrated flavour. Welschriesling is normally speaking not a "noble" grape, but Tschida has little trouble to go beyond expectations. Layers and layers of tropical fruit and spices. Light and fresh acids in the flavour. Very light and drinkable, having a low alcohol percentage.