23 - Austria Flashcards
What is the climate of Austria?
the wine growing regions of Austria are to the east, and the alps are to the west.
Cool continental climate - short summers, harsh winters
cooling northerly winds affect northern regions of Austria.
What is the most widely planted variety of Austria?
Gruner Veltliner
What are characteristics of Gruner Veltliner from Austria that is grown with care? Vs. high-yields?
if grown with care - full-bodied, concentrated, high acid. Stone and citrus fruit, white pepper -> honey and toast with age.
high yields - fresh but unexciting
True/False: Gruner Veltliner is always fermented and stored in stainless steel
False. Though majority of wines are fermented and stored in stainless steel, old oak casks are also common. Best wines may be matured a proportion in new oak.
What are the characteristics of Welschriesling, the second most planted white variety of Austria?
dry style: fresh, simple, green apple and citrus, high acid
however - also capable producing high quality dessert wine because it is susceptible to botrytis
What are the key characteristics of Austrian Riesling?
Riesling less widely planted in austria best examples are from Wachau, Kamptal, Kremstal Dry medium to full body ripe, peachy fruit best are capable maturing in bottle
What are the most widely planted black varieties of Austria and what are their characteristics?
Zweigelt:
deeply colored reds, soft tannin, bramble
Blaufrankisch:
highly regarded Austrian black variety
medium tannin, high acid, peppery, sour cherry flavor
St Laurent:
Austrian specialty similar to Pinot Noir. Oak aged.
True/False: Austrian producers sometimes blend Austrian varieties with international varieties (i.e. Pinot Noir, Cabernet, Merlot)
True
What are the categories of PDO wines in Austria?
PDO:
PDO wines can either have status Qualitatswein or DAC
Qualitatswein:
four federal states and seven smaller areas designated for Qualitatswein. 35 permitted varieties, wine can be made in any style.
Qualitatswein can also be labeled with Pradikat level.
DAC:
9 smaller wine regions have elected to become DAC (Districtus Austriae Controllatus)
this means producers in the region agree on grape varieties, style of wine, regulations that reflects their area, DAC status is awarded. Only wines that conform to this style use name of appellation - other wines in these areas will be labelled with name of federal state.
What are the additional Pradikate in Austria?
Ausbruch (classification between Beereauslese and Trockenbeerenauslese)
Strohwein/Schilfwein: bunches of grapes laid out on straw or reeds during winter to concentrate the sugar
True/False: The Pradikat labelling system in Austria is mainly reserved for medium-sweet and sweet wines?
True
What are the 4 federal states for PDO wines in Austria? Which two account for the majority of wine production?
Niederosterreich (Lower Austria)
Burgenland
Steiermark (Styria)
Wien (Vienna)
Niederosterrech and Burgenland account for majority of production
Which sub-region of Niederosterreich (Lower Austria) is most renowned for high-quality dry whites made from Gruner Veltliner or Riesling? What conditions in this sub-region allow it to produce high quality wines?
Wachau
Steep south-facing vineyards next to Danube ->maximize sun exposure and allow Gruner Veltliner and Rieslingt o develop high concentration
Wachau has not chosen to become DAC - relies on its own classification system
True/False: Kamptal DAC and Kremstal DAC produce wines similar to Wachau from Gruner Veltliner or Riesling
True
Which region is Austria’s largest vine-growing area and the first Austrian DAC? Which variety is permitted?
What are the two levels, Klassik, and Reserve to this DAC?
Weinviertel DAC.
only Gruner Veltliner permitted
Klassik: light, fresh, fruity, no oak
Reserve: higher minimum alcohol. allowed to be matured in oak.
