Austria

Question 1

Describe the climate of Austria.

Answer 1

Cool continental climate, short summers, harsh winters; vineyards east of the Alps, north winds cool, east winds warm.

Question 2

What are the most widely planted grapes in Austria.

Answer 2

Gruner-Veltliner (citrus, stone fruit, white pepper)
Welschriesling (fresh, simple, suspectible to Bot)
Riesling (dry, medium-bodied, fruit)

Zweigelt (deep, soft tannins, bramble)
Blaufrankisch (high acid, sour cherry, pepper)
St Laurent (similar to Pinot Noir, often oaked)

Question 3

How are Austrian wines classified?

Answer 3

Wein (no GI)
Landwein (PGI)
Qualitatswein (PDO - must be from one of four federal states or one of sixteen smaller areas)
Districtus Austriae Controllatus (PDO - one of nine areas that have agreed on rules and elected to become DAC)

PDO level wine can be labeled with a Pradikat level similar to Germany’s system. There is no Kabinett, level, Ausbruch exists between BA and TBA, and Strohwein is a category for berries dried indoors.

Question 4

What are the four federal states that produce PDO level wine in Austria?

Answer 4

Niederosterreich, Burgenland, Steiermark (Styria), and Wien (Vienna)

Question 5

What are the most well-known areas in Niederosterreich?

Answer 5

Wachau (Gruner and Riesling)
Kamptal DAC
Kremstal DAC
Weinviertel DAC (only Gruner, Klassik or Reserve)

Question 6

What is the region of Burgenland known for?

Answer 6

Top quality sweet wines, often made from Welschriesling, in the vicinity of Neusiedlersee; and reds made from St Laurent, Blaufrankisch and Zweigelt.