12. Austria Flashcards
Where are Austria’s vineyards located?
In the east bordering Hungary, Slovakia and Czechia where the Alps flatten
What is Austria’s general climate?
Cool continental
What are the four climatic influences north, east, south and west?
1) North (Weinviertel) - Cool northerly winds
2) East (Burgenland)- Pannonian warmth
3) South (Steiermark) - Adriatic warmth
4) West (Krem, Kamp, Wach) - Cooler Alpine breezes
What is a common weather hazard across Austria?
Spring frost
What are the two main soil types?
1) Thin soil over granite or gneiss
2) Richer soils i.e. loess (silt, loam)
What is gneiss?
Crystalline bedrock (known locally as urgestein)
Why is Riesling planted on thinner soils?
It requires less water than Gruner Veltliner
What was the traditional vine training method in Austria?
Lenz Moser - cordon trained to 1.2-1.4m (higher and wider than many to avoid shading), which is good for volume as it’s easily maintained and mechanised
What is the common form of training and trellising for high quality production today?
1) Guyot
2) VSP
What three regions require hand-harvesting due to their steepness?
1) Kamptal
2) Kremstal
3) Wachau
Why is disease pressure low?
Due to moderate precipitation: 450-850mm
What are Austria’s maximum yields?
67.5hL/ha
What are the three leading white plantings?
1) Gruner Veltliner
2) Welschriesling
3) Riesling
What are the two leading black plantings?
1) Zweigelt
2) Blaufrankisch
What soil(s) is Gruner Veltliner suited to and why?
1) Suited to loess soils or clay where present
2) Has a greater water requirement than Riesling
What is characteristic of Gruner Veltliner in the vineyard?
Can be vigorous on fertile soils so careful canopy management is required to ensure quality
Of which two varieties is Zweigelt a cross?
Sankt Laurent and Blaufrankisch
Describe Zweigelt in the vineyard (2)
1) Vigorous
2) High yielding
When does Zweigelt ripen?
Earlier and more easily (not susceptible to rot or frost) than Blaufrankisch
What does Zweigelt suffer from?
Potassium deficiency where grapes wither before they ripen
What style is Steiermark Welschriesling generally?
Neutral, unoaked and dry of good quality
What premium styles, where and why can Welschriesling be made?
1) BA/TBA
2) Humid Neusiedlersee, Burgenland
3) Thick skins
When does Blaufrankisch bud?
Early - spring frost poses a risk
When does Blaufrankisch ripen?
Late