People in europe, I need help

[MEDIA PUSHER"]

I have a ti unrelated favor to ask anyone in europe that can help. Last year when I was backpacking through austria I came across a seasonal beverage called STURM, a sparkling citrusy spirit sold in large unmarked bottles. This stuff is amazing, and I want more. I have spent hours searching for any place that sells, distributes, or even has any information on the drink, with absolutely no luck. If anyone can help me or point me in the right direction I would greatly appreciate it, and for those who haven't, if you ever come across it try some.

[Woofy318i]

Try this, just search for "sturm" on that page.

http://www.whitebeertravels.co.uk/wien_bratislava.html

[John Firestone]

I believe you seek what we refer to in these parts as Federweißer, immature wine or white grape juice on its way to becoming wine. It is only available in the late summer / early fall, for a few weeks after the year's wine grape harvest. It ferments and is bottled with a semi-open cap to let the gases escape. Consequently, it has to be stored upright and is difficult to ship.

I think it would be quite a challenge to get a bottle to you in Southern California either because it might turn to vinegar by the time it reaches you or because someone along the way might overlook the directions, "This way up", even briefly. But wouldn't this be like shipping coals to Newcastle? Surely, there are vineyards near you that offer the stuff in the fall, perhaps under a different name.

[MEDIA PUSHER"]

Wow, thankyou so much. I had no idea ... what ... it actually was. I thought it had more of a passionfruit taste, but that makes perfect sense. Now that I know I'm sure it won't be too hard to find an equivalent with all the somewhat local vineyards. I went backpacking through western europe with my girlfriend last september and one of our fondest memories was just wandering the streets of vienna drinking sturm, it seemed to be everywhere we went, so when we got back to the states we were dissapointed to not be able to find it. This is great, I cant thank you enough. Now I just need to acquire some absinthe and I'll be set.

[John Firestone]

You are quite welcome. Let me known when you do find out where to get Sturm/Federweißer in California, and what is called. You are not the only one who likes the stuff, and who knows, I may find myself there some fall.