Sylvaner is a white wine variety is grown in Germany, France (Alsace), Italy and Switzerland and several places in Eastern Europe. The name is spelt Silvaner in Germany. In Switzerland the variety is also known as Johannisberg.

This variety is used to make both sweet and dry white wine styles. As an early ripening variety is can be used in cooler areas. It's characteristic high acidity is an asset in crisp young white wines.

Sylvaner is one of those unfashionable varieties that can be worth seeking out. It is not highly regarded, if even acknowledged at all, by mainstream of wine writers and critics. Therefore if someone is growing it and making wine you know they have invested a little passion into the wine. My advice is to try it with an open mind, you could be in for a surprise. It will certainly be better drinking than the torrents of Sauvignon Blanc that are coming across the Tasman.

In Australia the following wineries are using the Sylvaner variety.

• Angoves Winery Riverland
• Ballandeen Estate Granite Belt
• Felsberg Winery Granite Belt
• Hainault Perth Hills
• Home Hill Southern Tasmania
• James Estate Hunter Valley
• Kellermeister Wines Barossa Valley
• Mountilford Mudgee
• Snowy Vineyard Southern New South Wales Zone
• Stanley Brothers Barossa Valley

Vinodiversity reader Lisa Hill shares her thoughts about Sylvaner after a trip to Home Hill Winery

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Silvaner is one of 184 grape varieties described on De Long's Wine Grape Varietal Table.