In English, Kalk & Kreide translates as Limestone & Chalk, and that clearly defines what’s in the glass. This is a premium wine from Weingut Tement, arguably Austria’s benchmark wine estate for Sauvignon Blanc. Founded in 1959 by Josef Tement in Berghausen in Südsteiermark (Southern Styria), overlooking the Slovenian border, the family estate was transformed by his son Manfred, and today is operated by brothers Armin and Stefan. With around 80 ha in Südsteiermark and a further 20 ha in neighbouring Slovenia, it is one of the 12 members of the STK (Steirische Terroir & Klassikweingüter), which classify their great single vineyards as Grand Cru. Farming has been organic since 2005 and biodynamic since 2022.

While Tement is famous for Grand Cru single-vineyard wines from the steep, iconic Zieregg vineyard, Kalk & Kreide is its flagship regional wine. It is a blend from 50 parcels farmed on steep, high-altitude slopes where limestone and chalk-rich marl soils dominate. The soils, Alpine winds and diurnal shifts give the wine its hallmark flavours.

We enjoyed this at the hugely impressive Belétage Restaurant in the even more impressive Hotel am Post in Traunkirchen, east of Salzburg in Austria. Belétage overlooks the waters of Traunsee, where all the fish served in the restaurant is sourced. The Tement wine was enjoyed with sashimi of lake fish accompanied by a sprinkle of local Salzkammergut salt for which h the region is so famous.