The Wine Reference🍷 SupportSt. Laurent grape
St. Laurent is a red grape known for cherry, plum, spice. Its best-known homes are Austria.
Origin and history
An old Austrian variety, possibly a Pinot Noir seedling though this is unproven; it is named after St Lawrence, whose feast day (10 August) is when its grapes begin to change colour.
Where it grows
Austria's Thermenregion and Burgenland (Neusiedlersee), Czechia's Moravia, Slovakia, and Pfalz in Germany.
Structure
Light to medium body, soft, silky tannins and fresh acidity, often compared to Pinot Noir but with deeper colour.
Aromas, young and aged
Young: sour cherry, plum, blackberry and a hint of spice. With age: forest floor, dried cherry, smoke and earth.
Ageing
Most drink within 2–6 years; top Thermenregion and Burgenland examples can age 10–15 years.
Also known as
Sankt Laurent, Svatovavřinecké (Czechia), Svätovavrinecké (Slovakia).
Good to know
Tricky to grow, prone to coulure and rot, it nearly vanished; together with Blaufränkisch it is a parent of Zweigelt.
Similar red grapes
Explore all grapes in the interactive guide
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