Austria Flashcards
Which historical group had the greatest impact on Austrian wine culture?
Cistercian monks in the 10-12th centuries, who brought Burgundian wine culture and helped build the terraced hills in Wachau and neighboring appellations
Describe the trend of area under vine in Austria since the 15th century
15th-16th centuries had about 150,000 ha (3x size of current area under vine). Decreased from the 17th century due to invasion by Turkey, high taxes, and popularity of beer. 1800s phylloxera, powdery and downy mildew further reduced vineyard area
Given Austria’s climate, what is notable about their wine law?
Hybrid vines are forbidden
Describe the Austrian glycol scandal
In the mid-79s and -80s a high proportion of Austrian wine was exported, and to remain price competitive some large volume producers started adding diethylene glycol to increase volume and simulate sweetness. Discovered in 1985, exports dropped from 30M liters in 85 to under 5 M liters in 86. Austrian Wine Marketing Board was established 86 to rehabilitate international image
What is the current status of Austrian wine exports?
53 M liters annually, with the value having tripled since 1985 (meaning consumers now pay a premium for Austrian production)
Describe the general climate of Austria and its regions
Overall cool continental. Northern vineyards are influenced by cool north winds, southern vineyards moderated by the Adriatic, eastern influenced by warmer Pannonian climate, western get cool breezes from the Alps
What are the main soil types of Austria? How are these planted?
Thin soil over granite or gneiss, and richer soils such as loess. Riesling is usually planted on the thin soils because it requires less water than Gruner. Water stress can be an issue in low rainfall years
What is Urgestein?
Austrian name for a crystalline bedrock material
What is the Lenz Moser system and why was it popular in Austria?
Cordon training system at 1.2-1.4 M height (higher than most systems) which was popular for high volume production because, once established, it requires very little maintenance and easy mechanization
How are vines typically trained in Austria?
Single or double Guyot (replacement-cane) with VSP trellising
Where is machine harvesting common in Austria?
On the flat lands in parts of Weinviertel and Burgenland
Where is machine harvesting not possible in Austria?
Terraced vineyards are the Danube such as Wachau, Kremstal, and Kamptal
Why is disease pressure low in most of Austria?
Moderate precipitation
What percentage of Austria’s vineyards follow organic practices?
About 14%
What is the maximum yield in Austria?
67.5 hl/ha, but the average yield is typically lower
What are the main varieties planted in Austria (by vineyard area)?
Gruner Veltliner, Zweigelt, Welschriesling, Blaufrankisch, Riesling
What proportion of Austria’s wine production is white?
2/3
What proportion of Austria’s plantings are to Gruner Veltliner?
32% of all plantings
How does growing Gruner compare to growing Riesling (particularly in Austria)?
Gruner does not thrive in dry soils, and so is better suited to clay and loess (for water retention). It is also very vigorous in fertile soil, so canopy management is essential for ripe grapes
What is rotundone?
The chemical compound that smells like pepper, characteristic of Gruner
What is the most planted black grape in Austria, and what percentage of plantings does it represent?
Zweigelt, 14% of plantings
Zweigelt is a cross between what and what?
Sankt Laurent and Blaufrankisch
What qualities make Zweigelt widely planted in Austria?
Ease of ripening and resistance to frost and rot
What is Welschriesling?
Second most planted white variety in Austria, not related to Riesling. High acid, neutral aromatics, used in Steiermark for inexpensive whites, Burgenland (around Neusiedlersee) for BA and TBA of high quality, and in Sekt
What is Blaufrankisch?
Second most planted black grape in Austria
Where is Blaufrankisch grown in Austria, and what makes this is a good region for the variety?
Burgenland because Blau is early budding and late ripening, so needs a warm climate, and it is thick-skinned, important to resist rot in humid Neusiedlersee
What vineyard consideration is necessary to produce high-quality Blaufrankisch?
Yield management; Blaufrankisch is productive without management, leading to underripe berries
Where is the most Riesling planted in Austria, and why?
Niederosterreich, where it is the second most-planted (after Gruner). Usually planted in the warmest thin-soil sites, where less water can be retained than Gruner needs
What is the main style of Riesling produced in Austria?
Almost all are dry, the best are very high in acid and very ageworthy
What is the typical approach to white winemaking in Austria?
Dry wines preserving primary fruit and varietal characteristics. Many producers use a short period of skin contact to maximize aromas. Fermentation and resting in neutral vessels. Typically no malo (to preserve acid and also due to low PH of Gruner and Riesling), common to leave wine on fine lees for 6+ months for texture
What is the typical approach to red winemaking in Austria?
Open top fermentation with punch down or pumpover, sometimes with ambient yeast. Rested in stainless or old oak (30-600L). Some premium producers use barrique or acacia (for oxygenation without vanilla)
What is DAC?
Districtus Austriae Controllatus
What is Wein in Austria?
Wine without Geographic Indication
What is Landwein in Austria?
Wine with Protected Geographic Indication
What is Qualitatswein in Austria?
Wine with Protected Designation of Origin that must undergo a gov’t inspection to ensure min quality standards (gov’t number on the label)
For what percentage of Austrian production do Wein and Landwein account?
10%
Where does Pradikatswein fall in the Austrian classification system?
Under Qualitatswein
Within Austrian Qualitatswein, what other label terms may be used for further categorization (besides Pradikatswein)?
Klassik and Reserve
What does Klassik mean on an Austrian label?
Qualitatswein with a declared vintage and varietal character
What does Reserve mean on an Austrian label?
Qualitatswein that is dry, with a minimum 13% alc, typically harvested and released later than a standard wine
How are Austrian Pradikatswein levels determined?
Must weight at time of harvest (as in Germany)
How do the Pradikatswein levels in Austria differ from those in Germany?
Kabinett does not fall into Pradikatswein in Austria
What is Ausbruch?
TBA wines from the city of Rust, near Lake Neusiedlersee
When was the DAC system established in Austria? What is its intent?
2002, to promote regional typicity by classifying more specific geographic locations
How many DAC are there? Which was the first?
16, first was Weinviertel
How are DAC wines determined? Is DAC an indication of quality?
Specific permitted grape varieties judged by a tasting panel. This can lead to “new-wave” wines of high quality being rejected even though their quality is high. DAC is an indication of typicity, not quality
What are the quality hierarchy terms for DAC wines?
Gebietswein (regional), Ortswein (village), and Riedenwein (single vineyard)
What is the Osterreichische Traditionsweinguter? What do they do?
OTW is a group of producers that have been classifying their vineyards in a similar fashion to Burgundy (based on soil type and climate). As of 19, 81 vineyards are Erste Lage, and dry wines from these vineyards can use 1OTW logo on their labels if the wine is made from traditional varieties
What is Vinea Wachau?
Quality-minded produers in Wachau with their own classification system for the wines of the region
Which states in Austria have significant amounts of viticulture?
Niederosterreich, Burgenland, Steiermark, and Wien
What is Austria’s largest wine-growing region, and what is grown there?
Niederosterreich. 2/3 of plantings are white, Gruner accounts for almost half of all plantings
What are the three “general” subregions of Niederosterreich?
Weinviertel in the north, the regions along the Danube west of Vienna, and the warmer Pannonian plain in the southeast
Where is Wachau located?
Along the north bank of the Danube
Describe viticulture in Wachau
Riesling (on gneiss) and Gruner (on loess) are the principal varieties, never blended. Most vineyards are on stone terraces, with the best sites facing south for sun interception. Stones retain heat during the day and radiate it back at night, ensuring ripe fruit (Danube also reflects heat and sun). Irrigation allowed but controlled
Two estate producers in Wachau
FX Pichler and Franz Hirtzberger
Quality-driven co-op in Wachau
Domaine Wachau
DAC regulations for Wachau
Hand-harvested. Regional and village wines allow a range of varieties, but single vineyard can only be Riesling or Gruner
What is Vinea Wachau’s definition of dry?
Less than 9g/L residual sugar
What are Vinea Wachau’s style classifications?
Steinfeder, Federspiel, and Smaragd
What does Steinfeder mean?
Vinea Wachau classification for fruity, dry wine with a max alc of 11.5%, the lightest style
What does Federspiel mean?
Vinea Wachau classification for concentrated dry wine with alcohol ranging from 11.5-12.5%
What does Smaragd mean?
Vinea Wachau classification for highly concentrated dry wine with ripe flavors, min 12.5% alc
What are the typical notes on Wachau whites?
Due to stone terraces and high sunshine, wines will have citrus, stone fruit, and (in Smaragd) tropical fruit. Light to full body, no oak, high acid, sometimes high alc, ageworthy
Where is Kremstal located and what influences the climate there?
East of Wachau around the town of Krems, influenced by warm Pannonian plain to the east
What are the DAC regulations for Kremstal?
Must be Riesling or Gruner (reds, accounting for 25% of plantings) are labelled Niederosterreich
What is the primary black grape of Kremstal? How is it labeled?
Zweigelt, labelled Neiderosterreich
Where is Kamptal located and what influences the climate there?
Along the Kamp river, around the town of Langenlois. Warm breezes from the Pannonian plain (allowing black grapes) but also cooling air from Bohemian Massifc. Large diurnal range means wines with high acid
What is grown in Kamptal, and how are they labeled?
Gruner (over 50% of plantings), Zweigelt, and Riesling. Gruner and Riesling can carry Kamptal DAC, Zweigelt must be Nederosterreich. Pinot Noir is up-and-coming
Where is Wagram located and what influences the climate there?
North and south of the Danube on gently rolling hills, with strong warming influence from the Pannonian plain
Besides Gruner, what is notably grown in Wagram?
Roter Veltliner, a local white producing full bodied wines with nutty aromas after bottle age
Is there a DAC for Wagram?
No
What styles of Gruner are made in Wagram?
Klassik and Reserve, the latter allowing for some subtle oak influence
What is the largest appellation in Austria?
Weinviertel, in Niederosterreich
What is grown in Weinviertel?
Gruner is 50% of all plantings
What influences the climate of Weinviertel?
Fairly low rainfall, cooling breezes from the north causing high diurnal range, preserving peppery Gruner characteristics
What are the DAC regulations for Weinviertel?
Gruner only. Reserve wines min 13% alc, allow for some oak and/or including some botrytis (but wines are still dry)
Where is Thermenregion located, and what influences the climate there?
Close to Vienna, influenced by the warm Pannonian plain, enough so that black grapes account for almost 50% of plantings
Is there a DAC fo Thermenregion?
No
What varieties are grown in Thermenregion?
Pinot Noir, Sankt Laurent, and Neubuger, Rotgipfler, Zierfandler
What is Sankt Laurent?
Medium - bodied, red cherry flavored red sometimes likened to Pinot Noir
What is the distinctive local white of Thermenregion?
Blends of Rotgipfler (full-bodied peach) with Zierfandler (peach, honey, spice)
Where is Burgenland located, and what influences the climate there?
Along the border with hHungary. Pannonian plain warms the air, flat and warm generally, enough that black grapes are 55% of plantings
What are the main varieties of Burgenland?
Blafrankisch, Zweigelt, Gruner, and Welschriesling
Where is Neusiedlersee, and what influences the climate there?
Around Lake Neusiedlersee, in Burgenland, influenced by warm Pannonian plain, humid from the water. Warmest area in Austria
What is unique about Neusiedlersee’s climate?
Consistent noble rot every vintage due to high humidity, autumn fog, and warm afternoon sunshine that prevents grey rot
Describe Neusiedlersee TBA
Typically from Welschriesling (due to thin skins), those the most prized wines have some blending. Not usually oaked. Hand harvested, premium price, ageworthy. TBA from Rust are Ruster Ausbruch DAC
What is unusual (for Austria) about the Neusiedlersee DAC?
It is only for red wines
How are sweet whites from Neusiedlersee labeled?
Burgenland
What are the DAC regs for Neusiedlersee?
Varietal Zweigelt or blend with Blaufrankisch. Klassik must be 100% Zweigelt. Reserve must be min 60^ Zweigelt, can blend w Blaufrankisch, PN, or Sankt Laurent
Where is Leithaberg located, and what influences the climate there?
West of Neusiedlersee, varied region; humid around the lake, less foggy to the west (black grapes are grown), hilly regions provide diurnal range for acidity
What are the DAC regs for Leithaberg?
Red or white. Reds are 85% Blaufrankisch aged in oak, dry whites can be blends or varietal Weissburgunder, Chard, Gruner, or Neuburger
Where is Mittelburgenland located and what influences the climate there?
South of Leithaberg, warmed by Pannonian plain (Blaufrankisch can easily ripen and is more than half of all plantings)
What are the DAC tiers for Mittelburgenland, and what are their requirements?
All are min 85% Blaufrankisch. DAC, DAC + Vineyard (higher min alc, typically aged in oak), DAC Reserve )higher min alc, longer min maturation, typically aged in oak)
Where is Steiermark located, and what influences the climate there?
Southeastern Austria, on the border with Slovenia. Vineyards on steep, terraced hills. Cold winters mean winter freeze, spring frost, and hail
What is grown in Steiermark, and why?
Crisp, dry whites due to cold climate and large diurnal range. Welschriesling, SB, and Weissburgunder
What are the DAC subregions of Steiermark?
Vulkanland Steiermark DAC, Sudsteiermark DAC, and Weststeiermark DAC
What are the DAC regulations for Wien?
DAC is called Wiener Gemischter Satz and must be a dry, unoaked blend, of which 20 different grapes are permitted. Can be labelled with vineyard site indication. Made for immediate local consumption in informal local premises
What is the trend in producer size in Austria?
Over recent decades, very small estates managed part-time are decreasing, while producers with 5+ ha, managed full-time, are increasing
What accounts for more than half of all domestic wine sales in Austria?
Hospitality, particularly Heurigen
What are Heurigen?
Small inns/taverns serving simple food and local wine, often with outdoor spaces for eating and drinking. Key to domestic wine sales in Austria
Since the wine scandal, what are the trends in Austrian wine exports?
Higher quality wines, mainly exported in bottle rather than bulk. Now about 20% of production, mainly to Germany, then Switzerland and USA
