For the 11th time, Hans Tschida of ⁄ was named “Sweet Winemaker of the Year” in the autumn of 2025.
The vineyard sites around Lake Neusiedl are climatically—and particularly well—suited for producing sweet wines, especially those located in Illmitz in the Seewinkel region, where Weingut Angerhof Tschida is situated. Although the climate at Lake Neusiedl aids in the production of Botrytis wines, the saline sandy soils surrounding Illmitz also exert a significant influence—as does, of course, the winemaker himself. The fact that Hans Tschida has received this accolade 11 times within the last 15 years demonstrates his skill and innate flair for sweet wines. It was especially the sweet wines from the Sämling 88 grape variety – the name of the Scheurebe grape in Austria – that made the winery famous
For his dessert—baked apple ice cream served with wild lingonberries—Klaus selected a sweet wine made from this very varietal: the Trockenbeerenauslese Domkapitel Sämling 88 from the 2017 vintage. As usually, Klaus sent me home with the sweet wine we had tasted so that I could taste it again.
2017 Trockenbeerenauslese Domkapitel Sämling 88 (Tasted)
Gold-yellow in the glass, offering a gentle, fruity nose underscored by spicy Botrytis notes. On the palate, flavors of yellow peach, pineapple, and a hint of passion fruit emerge, backed by spicy undertones. The sweetness is pronounced yet beautifully balanced and kept in check by a fine acidity. It possesses a very dense, long-lasting finish. An excellent sweet wine.