Sipping on Sturm: Final few weeks to enjoy this Viennese speciality

As summer draws to a close, the beginning of autumn in the city of Vienna signifies the wine harvest season and a special drink which is only available for a limited number of weeks each year. 

Sturm (German for storm) is grape juice that has already begun to ferment, and must have at least 1% alcohol content; usually, it contains around 4%. The drink is only available between September and the beginning of November before the wine process is complete, and is best enjoyed with a seasonal snack of roasted chestnuts. 

In these early stages, Sturm is sweet and becomes drier and more alcoholic throughout the fermentation process as the sugar is naturally converted. The drink is cloudy in colour, with the CO2 released during fermentation creating a tingling effect that stirs up the yeast particles in the liquid. 

When consumed in moderation, Sturm does in fact have some health benefits. The drink is rich in vitamin C, B1 and B2, which helps to support the nervous system, and aids a healthy metabolism. As well as this, it’s also good for gut health, skin and hair. 

In order to enjoy the drink authentically, there is certain “sturm etiquette” that should be followed: 

• As Sturm is not yet wine, drinkers should not clink their glasses together before taking a sip. 
• Before the first taste, people should say "mahlzeit", which translates to “enjoy your meal”; as opposed to saying “cheers”. 
• The drink is traditionally served in a glass with a handle rather than a wine glass. 
• Sturm should be drunk with the left hand. Only after the official wine christening of the new vintage on St. Martin’s Day (11th November) do sturm consumers switch to the right hand, clink glasses and say “cheers”. 

For those looking to enjoy Sturm for themselves, there are a number of places where it can be sampled. Amerlingbeisl is a cosy Beisl (Viennese bistro) in the Spittelberg quarter of the city, whilst Weinstube Josefstadt is a Heuriger (Austrian wine tavern) with a beautiful green courtyard. Further from the city centre, Heurigen 10er Marie is a traditional wine tavern that has been open since 1740. Sturm seekers can also find the delicious drink at a number of different Heurigen in the area of Mauer. 

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Editors notes

Austria’s capital of Vienna is consistently ranked as the city with the highest quality of life for the 11th consecutive year by the Mercer Study, providing its residents, expatriates and visitors with high security, seamless public transportation, a wide variety of cultural and arts institutions, and a staggering 53% of the city serving as public green space. 

The Vienna Tourist Board, founded in 1955, is the official destination marketing service provider for the tourism sector of the city. It promotes the city worldwide and provides many services, tips, resources and information for Viennese businesses, residents and visitors.