St. Laurent

St. Laurent is a grape whose origin is highly disputed. It is often suggested that it might have originated in France and was brought from Bordeaux through Alsace to Central Europe. Although there are significant plantings in both Germany and the Czech Republic, St. Laurent is one of the key grape varieties in Austria, found mainly in Thermenregion (Lower Austria) and Burgenland.

Austrian St. Laurent are usually age-worthy wines with typical floral, herbal, and cherry aromas. Believed to be a descendant of Pinot Noir, the wines made from St. Laurent grapes will also typically be medium-bodied with well-structured tannins. They are also food-friendly wines that would match dishes made with mushrooms, roasted game birds, primarily duck, or truffles.

It is believed that the grape was named after Saint Lawrence's day, which is celebrated on August 10th—approximately when the grape starts to ripen. In the Czech Republic, the variety is known as Svatovavřinecké.