European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - April 12, 2007, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Page 26 stars and stripes thursday april 122007 a decidedly austrian accent syrian Region produces Crisp and Sweet wines by Ginger warder special to stars and stripes the roads in Southern Austria twist and turn through Lush Green Meadows dotted with Alpine farmhouses and grazing livestock this is the heart of agrarian Austria where most of the country apples Are grown where its famous Black Gold pumpkin seed Oil is produced and where the grapes that pro Duce fruity dry White wines and the local Schilcher dominate the Small Vineyard production until recently this Region around Graz Austria Sec on largest City was one of Europe bes kept gastronomic secrets but Austria commit ment to viticulture and organic farming is turning the Region of Styria into a world class food and wine destination austrian wines Are beginning to appear on the radar of wine lovers throughout the world lower Austria has eight wine regions that Are becoming Well known for their Stellar Whites such As the dry Foo Friendly Gruner Vel tinier the Crisp pinot Blanc called Weis Burgunder and a wide Range of rieslings that Are helping fuel the coun try wine growth seventy five percent of the vineyards Are devoted to White wine varieties most of which have a dry Crisp Quality due to the geographical factors of Cli mate and soil but the most unusual wine is the Rose Schilcher produced Only in Western Styria it is what draws flocks of wine lovers to the vineyards wine taverns and restaurants of the Region the Region has the most tem Perate climate in the country a significant Factor for growers of its indigenous Blauer Windbacher grape used to make Schilcher aged in wooden barrels it is a sweetly elegant wine that tastes like liquid strawberries to see the Region at its Best try a Little tour that mixes lunch wine tasting and sightseeing you can go on your own or arrange a tour at the Graz tourist office the Schmicher route is one of the most popular Day trips from the City begin at Karnbach a town East of Graz just off autobahn 2 head South toward stain Stop Ping for lunch at Feingut Lang Mann a traditional Buschen Schanken or wine tavern Start with a flute of certified Sti Rische Kubis Erool the Schilcher version of Champagne then try a Crisp White wine with a Platter of Brett Jause a Cornu Copia of locally produced meats cheeses pates spreads and Home baked bread by Law the taverns Are allowed to serve cold food Only and must work with local growers for the High Quality authentic regional food that accompanies their vintages after a relaxing repast on the Terrace overlooking the Vine Yards and farms in the Valley below head South to stain to Board the Flascher Zug steam train grab a schnapps or a Glass of Schilcher at the Impromptu train station bar and chug along slowly through the local villages and farms serenaded by Austri an Folk music from an accordion player Dorf to visit the oldest press in Styria owner of this operation opens his presentation with an apology saying my English accent is worse than Arnolds his self deprecating joke refers of course to califor Nia governor and former actor Arnold Schwarzenegger who grew up in this Region while a demonstration of the Oil extraction process is fascinating the noxious fumes in the pressing room might hurry you along fortunately the final product bears no resemblance to the processing and cutting Edge chefs throughout the world covet the intriguing taste of the Oil As a Garnish for everything from soup to ice Cream visit the gift shop to pick up a bottle of this Culi nary secret weapon or a Jar of sinfully Good Apple preserves also made locally Back in stain visit one of Styria oldest wine cellars at the Weinhaus a cooperative wine bar and shop owned by local vinters the Weinhaus showcases More than 20 regional growers in a modern culinary facility that offers an extensive selection of austrian wines a min gallery of local artwork and meals pairing local wine with meals from a state theart Kitchen the knowledgeable sommelier Gerald summer can Intro Duce you to the Best wines of the Region including his favourites the Crisp Sauvignon Blanc and  then for a perfect ending to the Day head West of the City Center to the Rauch Hof for a cozy dinner or Nightcap in this farm House inspired restaurant known for its fresh regional produce and syrian wine list one final tip thanks to the vision of its regional vinters and the country commitment to Quality control the syrian wine Region will not be a secret for Long it might in fact be the wine worlds next big discovery Ginger Ward is a freelance writer living in Florida Emai her at photos Courtesy of Glencer to stars and stripes guests sit Down to Sample syrian wine and plates of locally produced meats cheeses pates spreads and Home baked bread at the Feingut Langmann a traditional Busche Schanken or wine tavern Peter and stripes know go just 2v2 hours Smith of Vienna Graz is a perfect jumping off Point for an Epi Eirean Odyssey capital Graz Quirky place the most unusual wine from Austria syrian Region is the Rose Schilcher which draws flocks of wine lovers to the vineyards wine taverns and restaurants of the Region aged in wooden barrels it is a sweetly elegant wine that tastes like liquid strawberries my modern Beut to see two from the cultural celeb Fatiori the Peanut shaped and the Muriel a Mussel inspired steel Island in of the River Mur look As if they were dropped from outer space into 7 the heart of the old City for a sweeping View of the Turquoise domes and the red tile roofs of the old City take the funicular to the original fortifications at the Schlossberg pay an Earl morning visit to the Farmers Market behind the opera House for a glimpse of some of the regions finest organic foods and Flowers and Stop by the former court bakery Hoybak Erie Edegger tax for the Best pastry in town sip a Sunset aperitif in the Middle of the River at Muriel and Sample a traditional syrian meal of Tesser Flug gel boiled beef at the Sandhaus Keller which also boasts one of the cites Best wine cellars Graz tourism  com offers Day trips to the Styri an wine Region and the Lipiz Zan see Austria Page 34