The rustic mountain world of the Alps as an intense taste experience in the Pfandl
If you are looking for the perfect wine to go with real Steirerkas dumplings, you will come across one of Styria’s specialties with the strongest character. The wine and food theme here is largely determined by Ennstaler Steirerkas, a crumbly, lean cheese with an extreme spiciness and an almost tangy, noble moldy note. These dumplings are a powerhouse of alpine cuisine and require an accompaniment that is bold enough to compete with the intense aroma of the cheese and the roasted flavors of the onions. The challenge for every sommelier is to find a balance that refreshes the palate after the full-bodied texture of the gnocchi without overpowering the fine herbal notes in the cheese. It is a culinary experience that thrives on the harmony between rustic earthiness and a complex structure in the glass, where the choice of wine is crucial to preserving the identity of this dish and sharpening the senses for the next forkful of this hearty classic, while the mountain sun literally rises at the table.
Ideal wine accompaniment: Sauvignon Blanc Südsteiermark DAC (Styria, Austria)
A mature Sauvignon Blanc Südsteiermark DAC is the ideal answer to Steirerkas dumplings (spaetzle with the intensely spicy Ennstal Steirerkas). This wine is characterized by its enormous depth and complex aromas of ripe gooseberries, elderberries and often a smoky minerality, which corresponds perfectly with the tart spiciness of the Steirerkas. As the cheese and butter give the dumplings a very dense consistency, the taut acidity and powerful body of a mature Sauvignon are needed to create a stable balance on the palate. The extract-rich nature of the wine acts as an aromatic counterweight, masterfully capturing the distinctive, almost austere note of the cheese and placing it in a more elegant light. It is a regional pairing par excellence, in which the unbridled power of the leading Styrian grape variety and the rustic opulence of the Nocken merge into a majestic whole. The wine ensures that the mouthfeel remains pleasantly dynamic despite the heaviness of the dish, leading to a long-lasting and refreshing finish that perfectly combines Alpine tradition with modern wine culture and invigorates the palate anew after every bite.
Further wine recommendations for this dish
Morillon Südsteiermark DAC (Styria, Austria)
A strong Morillon from southern Styria offers a melting and wonderfully structured accompaniment that perfectly matches the creamy component of the Steirerkas dumplings. This wine captivates with its aromas of ripe apples, melons and a fine nutty nuance that wonderfully picks up on the earthy characteristics of the Ennstal cheese. With its often full body and creamy texture, the Morillon nestles against the spaetzle, while the well-integrated acidity subtly balances out the fat. Anyone looking for a wine pairing based on harmony and depth will be delighted with this combination. The Morillon ensures that the strong spiciness of the dish is gently softened and subtly underlines the rustic elegance of the dish without dominating the complex cheese flavors, while the mineral note ideally supports the nutty aspects of the dish.
Grüner Veltliner Weinviertel DAC (Lower Austria, Austria)
A Grüner Veltliner Weinviertel DAC brings an additional spicy dimension to the pairing with its characteristic pepper, which harmonizes excellently with the hearty nature of the Steirerkas dumplings. The aromas of white pepper, garden herbs and local pome fruit perfectly complement the distinctive characteristics of the cheese. Thanks to the taut acid structure, this wine can effortlessly carry the richness of the dumplings and offers robust support against the strong roasted onions in the pan. It is an impressive wine recommendation for anyone who loves to play with Austrian classics and is looking for a combination that impresses with structure and a certain piquancy. The Veltliner acts as a spicy partner here, supporting the tart nuances of the Steirerkas and at the same time ensuring an impressive length on the palate thanks to its mineral vein, which rounds off the rustic pleasure perfectly.
Rheinhessen Silvaner QbA (Rheinhessen, Germany)
A dry Silvaner from Rheinhessen is an underrated insider tip for strong cheese dishes, as it builds a natural bridge to Steirerkas with its fine earthiness. The wine impresses with its moderate acidity and a full-bodied texture, which perfectly matches the firm consistency of the dumplings. On the nose, there are often subtle notes of ripe pear and meadow hay, which wonderfully support the nutritious characteristics of the dish. It is a stylish choice for connoisseurs looking for an accompaniment based on balance and aromatic closeness rather than harsh contrasts. The down-to-earth nature of the Silvaner reflects the rural origins of the gnocchi and makes for a very round, full-bodied taste experience in which the spicy cheese salts and soft wine notes merge into a unity that gently envelops the palate.
Pinot Gris Vulkanland Steiermark DAC (Styria, Austria)
A Pinot Gris from the Styrian volcanic region has an almost smoky minerality and enormous power that effortlessly stands up to the intensely spicy Steirerkas. The aromas of ripe pears, honeydew melon and dried nuts correspond excellently with the strong nuances of the lean cheese. This wine has enough extract and body to cushion the intensity of the pan-fried food and at the same time increase the juiciness on the palate. The volcanic soil character gives the wine a tautness that adds complexity to the pairing. It is a luxurious wine pairing for connoisseurs who want to discover the powerful side of Styrian wine culture. The interplay of full-bodied fruit and mineral freshness creates a full-bodied experience that perfectly combines the different textures of the cam and leads to a spicy, long-lasting finish.
Sancerre AOC (Loire, France)
With its combination of flinty minerality and lively acidity, a Sancerre AOC offers a fascinating international complement to Styrian gnocchi. The cool notes of citrus and green apple provide a lively accent against the dense spiciness of the Ennstal cheese, clearing the palate after every bite. This precision in the glass is important to break up the tart style of the Steirerkas and give the dish an almost elegant lightness. Anyone looking for a wine pairing that impresses with its freshness and remarkable aromatic clarity will find it here. The Sancerre lends the traditional dish a modern freshness and above all underlines the spicy aspects of the mountain cheese, resulting in a surprising and extremely successful combination of flavors that expands the horizons of classic pairings and ensures an animating interplay on the palate.
The recipe:
Steirerkas-Nocken (spicy spaetzle with Ennstal Steirerkas cheese)
Cooking utensils
- 1 Large frying pan (cast iron)
- 1 Spaetzle slicer or sieve
- 1 Large saucepan
- 1 Kitchen scales
Ingredients
- 300 g Spaetzle fresh or homemade
- 150 g Ennstal Steirerkas crumbled
- 1 large onion
- 50 g Butter
- 100 ml Vegetable broth
- Salt and pepper
- A pinch of nutmeg
- Fresh chives
Preparation
PREPARATION:
- Crush the Steirerkas into fine crumbs with your hands.
- Peel the onion and cut into fine cubes or rings.
- Cut the chives into fine rolls.
- Cook the spaetzle according to the instructions on the packet or the basic recipe until al dente.
COOKING STEPS:
- Melt the butter in a large cast iron pan.
- Fry the onions until golden brown.
- Add the cooked and well-drained spaetzle to the pan.
- Mix everything well and fry briefly.
- Spread the crumbled Steirerkas evenly over the dumplings.
- Pour in the vegetable stock so that the cheese melts better.
- Heat, stirring constantly, until the cheese forms a creamy consistency.
- Season to taste with salt (be careful, the cheese is salty), pepper and nutmeg.
DIRECTIONS:
- Place the dumplings directly in the pan on the table.
- Sprinkle with plenty of fresh chives.
- Garnish with fried onions if desired.
- Serve hot immediately.
SUPPLEMENTS:
- Green leaf salad with vinegar-oil dressing
- Beet salad
- A glass of cool water
